Office of the Secretary of State
Department of State
125 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2009

CONTACT: PRESS OFFICE (609-777-0830)
MUSEUM (609-777-0572)

HOMAGE TO NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL AT THE NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM

Trenton, NJ - Highlighting Black History Month at the New Jersey State Museum - and coming just two weeks before the start of baseball spring training - is "Shadow Ball," a one-man tribute to Negro baseball league players during the Great Depression.

This Second Saturday Performance features Rochel Garner Coleman as James "Cool Papa" Bell, a Hall of Famer who became a legend for his speed. Satchel Paige often regaled audiences with the story that when he and Bell roomed together, Bell was so fast he could turn out the lights and be in bed before the room got dark. Lest anyone think this was mere hyperbole, Bell actually scored from first on a bunt during an all-star exhibition game in 1948. He was 45 years old.

"Filled with story, pantomime and song, "Shadow Ball" delves into the harsh reality that existed beyond the bases and cheering stands: second-class, segregated status for black players and Thirties-era economic hardship," said Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells. "Audiences of all ages are sure to be entertained by this compelling production performed with humor and music."

Showtimes are 1:00 and 2:30 pm, Saturday, February 14, in the Museum Auditorium, 205 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey. The program is co-sponsored by Young Audiences New Jersey and admission is free. (Each performance lasts 30 minutes).

To learn about other museum events, including exhibitions, film screenings, art festivals, natural history courses, and field trips, please visit http://www.njstatemuseum.org or call (609) 292-6464. To learn more about the diverse array of services and programs located within the Department of State, visit www.state.nj.us/state.

The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey. The main building and auditorium are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:45 pm, and Sunday, noon to 5:00 pm. The Museum is closed Mondays and all state holidays. Exhibitions are also presented in the Museum's satellite gallery next door in the Department of State building at 225 West State Street. Exhibit hours at this location are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:45 pm; closed Sundays and all state holidays. On weekends, free parking is available in lots adjacent to and behind the Museum.

The New Jersey State Museum/Department of State has received generous support for its exhibitions and programs from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/NJ Department of State; New Jersey Network Public Television and Radio; The Bunbury Company; The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; the Friends of the New Jersey State Museum; Merrill G. & Emerita E. Hastings Foundation; The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey; the New Jersey Historical Commission; New Jersey Council for the Humanities; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Hyde & Watson Foundation; PSEG, PSE&G; Atlantic City Electric; AT&T; Bank of America; and the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism.

One of the premier arts education resources in the state, Young Audiences New Jersey (YANJ) has been bringing creativity and inspiration to children and educators for 35 years through innovative curriculum-based programming. Its extensive roster of professional artists includes musicians, dancers, actors, illustrators, improvisational comics, painters, slam poets, and more. Its programs strengthen the arts in schools, meet local and state curriculum standards, involve families in arts activities, and enrich cultural life in New Jersey's communities.

In 2007, YANJ artists performed for and worked side-by-side with 479,000 children - from pre-kindergarten through high school - across the state, serving all 21 counties with dynamic assembly presentations and artist-in-residence workshops. Its certified professional development programs enlivened the classrooms of 3,000 teachers. Thousands of families have benefited from its community programming

YANJ is the first arts education organization designated as a major service organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and, as part of the national network of Young Audiences, Inc. was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. Projects like this and the 4,500 programs provided annually by YANJ are made possible in part through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State and funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.