A Cinematic Tribute to Ruby Dee

A Cinematic Tribute to Ruby Dee

An enduring actress who performed on stage, film, radio, and television in countless, acclaimed roles, Ms. Ruby Dee was also a leading advocate for civil rights, a producer,  a writer, a poet, a journalist, a mother of three wonderful children, and the wife of actor Ossie Davis – from 1948 until his death in 2005.

Ms. Dee was also a generous member of the New Rochelle community and an ardent supporter of the New Rochelle Public Library.  It is our privilege and honor to host the city’s memorial tribute to Ms. Dee on October 4^th and 5^th in the library’s Ossie Davis Theater. The public is invited to join Ms. Dee’s family and local friends for a two-day film festival celebrating the remarkable life of this extraordinary woman.

Saturday, October 4^th at 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Film: Naming No. 2

In 2005, at the age of 80, Ruby Dee traveled from her home in New Rochelle to New Zealand to star in director Toa Fraser’s film, No. 2. Although never released in U.S. theaters, the film, (then  titled  Naming No.2), won the 2006 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award (World Cinema – Dramatic).  Ms. Dee received great acclaim for her starring role as the Fijian matriarch, NannaMaria, who summons her large and disparate family members together for a traditional, reuniting feast – an opportunity to name her successor and impart her wisdom. Discussion to follow. Free.

Sunday, October 5^th 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm: An Afternoon With Ossie and Ruby and Film: Naming No. 2

Film clips from With Ossie & Ruby,  the groundbreaking PBS series of 26 half-hour programs that Dee and Davis conceived, co-hosted, performed and co-produced from 1980 – 1982 demonstrates that this was “one media outlet where Dee and Davis found the space to exercise their creative voices, particularly Dee’s talents as a writer and producer.” (Sharon D. Johnson, Black Issues Book Review, May 2005.)

“Hands Upon the Heart”, a 90-minute film presents highlights from the series, including drama, comedy, and vignettes of American life written by some of America’s greatest authors, and two powerful shows: “Solo Song for Doc” by James Alan McPherson, starring Ossie and Roscoe Lee Browne; and in “How I Got Ovah,” Ruby and Ossie pay a gospel tribute to the poet Carolyn M. Rodgers, with Billy Preston and the Dallas Community Baptist Church Choir. A reception will light refreshments follows.

At 6:00 pm,  the 2006 film,  Naming No. 2, will be shown again.