Actor Stephen Hill performs live interpretation of Jackie Robinson at the Elmont Memorial Library
 
(Long Island, N.Y.) “Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience,” a national traveling exhibition which chronicles the remarkable history of baseball’s Negro leagues and the challenges and successes of African-American baseball players, will be celebrated with an “Opening Pitch” event at the Elmont Memorial Library on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 1:00 PM. The public is invited to attend this free event.
 
A highlight of the event will be actor Stephen Hill’s live interpretation of Jackie Robinson, a sample of what is to come during the months of the exhibition. As Jackie Robinson, Stephen Hill provides a first hand account of the challenges and triumphs of this legendary American hero.
 
The live interpretation is an excerpt from the film, “Jackie Robinson: My Story” which was the winner of the Best Picture Award at the 2010 Long Island International Film Expo. Full live performances, based on the film, will be staged at the Theatre at the Elmont Memorial Library at during January and February 2011. Schedule and ticket information will be available shortly. The Broadhollow Theatre is the presenting sponsor of the performances.
 
In addition to Hill’s performance, the “Opening Pitch” will include the1,000-square-foot exhibit Pride and Passion exhibit, organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office in Chicago. The traveling exhibit that can only be experienced in downstate New York at the Elmont Memorial Library; it is based on an exhibition of the same name on permanent display at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Pride and Passion has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The exhibit will be on display through February 6, 2011.
 
The “Opening Pitch” will also include a quilting demonstration and dedication presented by Carolyn Lewis, a founding member of the quilting guild, Ebony Quilters of Southeast Queens. This highly unique and heartfelt quilt will feature the Black experience in baseball. Also among the afternoon’s activities are raffles, commemorative baseball hats and the DVD of “Jackie Robinson: My Story” for sale, all to benefit the Elmont Memorial Library’s goal of engaging, informing and entertaining its patrons.
 
For additional information, contact Library Director Maggie Gough at 516.354.5280 x230.