THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604260549
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARSHA GILBERT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
The stars came out Thursday when actor/director Tim Reid and his co-host, wife and actress Daphne Maxwell-Reid held a press conference at Norfolk State University to announce the start of the Sixth Annual Tim Reid Celebrity Weekend.
Angela Bassett, who starred in the hit movie ``Waiting to Exhale,'' Alphonso Ribiero, from the recently cancelled TV show ``Fresh Prince of Bel Air,'' Robert Guillaume, best remembered as the title character of the show ``Benson,'' and Patricia Southall Lawrence, Chesapeake native, former Miss Virginia and wife of comedian Martin Lawrence, were among the stars who joined the Reids during the conference.
``We're just here with friends,'' said Maxwell-Reid. ``This started when I would bump into people in L.A. and say, `What are you doing the last weekend in April?' Now some of them contact me and say, `I want to be a part of the celebrity weekend.' ''
The panel of casually dressed, jovial thespians told a crowd of about 50 fans, NSU students, faculty and media why they are in Norfolk this week.
``I was taught to give back,'' said Reid, a 1968 Norfolk State graduate. ``This is nothing special for me to do. When I went here the campus demanded that I give back. It's a wonderful debt.''
``What's different about this year is that Angela's here this time,'' laughed Reid.
Bassett, who looked serene and distinguished in her black jeans, turtleneck and blazer, and wearing small, gold, wire-rimmed glasses, ultra-thin braids and no makeup drew the most excitement as she made her way through the crowd.
``I heard great things in L.A. about the celebrity weekend,'' said Bassett, who won't be competing in any sport, but plans to take a tennis lesson or two from NSU tennis coach Nathaniel ``Nat'' Warren.
``My education equipped me for a future,'' continued Bassett. ``Being around Tim and Daphne gives me a chance to give back and participate.''
``When we give scholarships to students they ask us what do I owe you,'' said Maxwell-Reid, a Northwestern University graduate. ``We tell them all you owe us is success and a helping hand to someone else.''
University president Harrison B. Wilson said, ``The Tim Reid Scholarship is critical for NSU. I'm pleased they set an example for all of our grads to go forth and do likewise.''
When asked how big the celebrity weekend will become, Maxwell-Reid said, ``How big can the city of Norfolk stand it?'' MEMO: Tim Reid, Norfolk State University alumnus and TV star (``Sister,
Sister,'' ``Frank's Place,'' ``WKRP in Cincinnati'') hosts his annual
sports and celebrity festival today through Sunday at NSU. For a ticket
package or more information, call 683-8323 or fax 683-2405.
Here are some of the highlights:
TODAY
8:30 a.m.: Golf tournament, Cypress Point Golf and Country Club,
hosted by DeWayne Wickham from USA Today and Black Entertainment
Television.
1 p.m.: Tennis open at NSU, Booker T. Washington and Maury high
schools.
1 p.m.: Celebrity tennis tournament at NSU Tennis Complex.
7 p.m.: President's Gala and Auction, at the president's home.
Tickets are $25.
SATURDAY
9 a.m.: Celebrity tennis tournament and finals at the NSU Tennis
Complex; tennis open at NSU, and Booker T. Washington and Maury high
schools; soccer kick-off at NSU; registration for the health walk,
sponsored by Norfolk Community Hospital. Fees range from $3 to $10.
10 a.m.: Children's festival; fitness festival and health walk begin
on the NSU campus.
7 p.m.: Black-tie dinner at Scott Dozier Dining Hall. Tickets are
$75. Sold out.
SUNDAY
9 a.m.: Tennis open finals at NSU, and Booker T. Washington and
Maury high schools.
ILLUSTRATION: L. TODD SPENCER photos
Angela Bassett won't be competing in any sports, but plans to take a
tennis lesson or two from NSU tennis coach Nathaniel ``Nat'' Warren.
Said Bassett: ``Being around Tim and Daphne gives me a chance to
give back and participate.''
Stars showed up to announce the Sixth Annual Tim Reid Celebrity
Weekend. Clockwise from top left: Robert Guillaume, Billy Davis Jr.,
Norfolk State University president Harrison B. Wilson, Daphne
Maxwell-Reid and Tim Reid.
by CNB