U-Matic
Coleman @ Churches Oct. 29 '89' & Freedom Festival Celebration #1 89 May 26
11-16-89
U-Matic tape containing footage from the April 5, 1989 press event held at the Fox Theatre held to announce the events of that year's International Freedom Festival, followed by footage of Mayor Coleman A. Young making campaign speeches at Renaissance Baptist Church and St. James Missionary Baptist Church on October 29, 1989.
The video opens with Mayor Coleman A. Young, Mike Ilitch, and another man speaking in the lobby of the Fox Theatre as jazz plays, before cutting to a title card. A brief pause in the tape during this opening suggests that it is a duplicate. The camera then captures shots of the two remoted controlled cars on the track for the First Annual Duckie 500, a remote controlled car race between Detroit mayor Coleman A. Young, and Windsor mayor John Millson. The members of the William Paterson New Jazz Ensemble introduce themselves, and then are shown performing. All members wear red Southern Comfort sweatshirts. As the band continues to perform, the camera captures several shots of statues and other elements the lobby's architecture, and of a banner for the Wheels of Freedom Antique Auto Show and Parade, scheduled for June 24th.
Next the camera rolls as a procession of Freedom Festival officials, including Mayors Young and Millson, file past a group of kilted bagpipers from the Windsor Police Department, and a U.S. Navy Color guard down the lobby's steps. Windsor, Ontario Mayor John Millson wears his racing jumpsuit, (presented in video 2015.008.135) while Coleman A. Young instead wears a suit.
At the podium master of ceremonies Jac LeGoff introduces Damon Taylor, who sings "O Canada," and "The Star-Spangled Banner." During the national anthems, the camera turns to Young. LeGoff discusses the rubber duckie race tradition, then recognizes International Freedom Festival president Margaret Williams and the Windsor Executive Committee and the Detroit Executive Committee. He then calls Mike Ilitch to the podium.
Ilitch talks about his involvement in the Freedom Festival, and begins listing the planned events--the Budweiser Spirit of Detroit Trophy Race, the Freedom Festival 10-Mile Run, the Wheels of Freedom auto show, the George E. Van Memorial Regatta, a Michigan-produced film festival, the Tug Across the River, Cinema Canada at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Children's Day in the Cultural Center, Fort Night at Fort Wayne, McDonald's Gospel Fest in Hart Plaza, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's first performance in Hart Plaza, a visit from the U.S. Navy's U.S.S. BOULDER, Project Unite Helping Hands--a 24 mile human chain on Woodward Avenue to recognize volunteers, and the Hudson's Freedom Festival Fireworks.
LeGoff then introduces Margaret Williams to discuss Canadian events. This include the docking of the H.M.C.S. CORMORANT; concerts by Glass Tiger, the Canadian Brass, and Alexander Zonjic; an animated dinosaur display; Children's Day; the Canada Day parade; midway rides; Voyager's Village; the Rum Runner's Ball; the Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds; a hot air balloon race; and an international tennis tournament. She invokes the "Two Nation Vacation" slogan, and announces winner of the Paul Lutzier Award--Rod Beaton who revived the tugboat race.
John Millson then addresses the crowd. He thanks Ilitch for his jumpsuit and jokes about Young not wearing his.
Next, Coleman A. Young, honorary chairman of the Freedom Festival mentions the recent Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement, and partnerships between the cities like the joint port authority. The recording ends during Young's address.
Following a very brief clip of Jeffrey Pool, Vice President of Trappers Alley Limited Partnership, speaking in a press conference, the next segment on the tape begins with Mayor Coleman A. Young, and David Eberhard seated behind the pulpit of Renaissance Baptist Church, as filmed from the balcony. A minister introduces Young, who then takes the podium. The room's acoustics make parts of his speech difficult to discern. The recording cuts several times during his address.
Then, from the balcony of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, the camera rolls as the congregation sings. Young is seated near the pulpit here as well. The minister introduces the mayor, and the camera pans around to show the audience applauding. In his speech, he mentions having previously visited several other churches--.including St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Young talks about the importance of the city's churches, mentions the late Rev. Charles H. Nicks, Jr. of St. James, talks about rebuilding Black Bottom, and 12th Street. He also discusses his relations with City Council members Nicholas Hood, David Eberhard, and Barbara Rose Collins.
The video is on a 3M UCA-60 U-Matic tape with a handwritten City of Detroit Department of Public Information label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching U-Matic case with a matching label on its cover.
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U-Matic
Freedom Festival Opening @ Fox Theatre, 4-5-89
U-Matic
Freedom Festival Celebration @ the Fox Theatre #2
5-26, 1989
