NEW ROCHELLE, NY — 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, grandmother, and wife of actor Ossie Davis–from 1948 until his death in 2005. Ms. Dee was also a generous member of the New Rochelle community until her death this past June. A memorial tribute to Ms. Dee will be held in the Ossie Davis Theater of the New Rochelle Public Library on October 4th and 5th. The public is invited to join Ms. Dee’s family and local friends for a free, two-day film festival celebrating the remarkable life of this extraordinary woman. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
On Saturday, October 4th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, the film, Naming No. 2, will be shown. 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, (later titled Naming No.2), won the 2006 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award. Ms. Dee received great acclaim for her starring role as the Fijian matriarch, Nanna Maria, who summons her large and disparate family members together for a traditional, reuniting feast – an opportunity to name her successor and impart her wisdom. A discussion will follow the 90-minute film.
An event on Sunday, October 5th, will be in three parts. Beginning at 1:30 pm, film clips from With Ossie & Ruby will be shown. The groundbreaking PBS series of 26 half-hour programs that Dee and Davis conceived, co-hosted, performed and co-produced from 1980 – 1982 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,” wrote Sharon D. Johnson in Black Issues Book Review, May 2005.
At 3:30 pm, “Hands Upon the Heart,” will be shown. This 90-minute film presents highlights from the With Ossie & Ruby series, including drama, comedy, and vignettes of American life written by some of America’s greatest authors. It also includes two powerful shows: “Solo Song for Doc” by James Alan McPherson, starring Ossie and Roscoe Lee Browne; and “How I Got Ovah,” in which 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 with light refreshments will follow.
At 6:00 pm, there will be a second viewing of the 90-minute film, Naming No. 2.