ATLANTA - Stephanie Hughley wants to burn the third week of July into Atlanta's mental calendar as National Black Arts Festival time. <br>
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Hughley, executive director for the festival, says every major, successful festival like theirs is at the same place and same time every years. So, he decided theirs needed to be, too. <br>
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The ten-day festival, which kicked off today, is the biggest of its kind in the country. Started in 1988, it was held every other year until now, when it officially becomes an annual event. <br>
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Crowds of half a million or more are expected to converge on the city to experience music, dance film, literature, theater and the visual arts. <br>
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Hughley, the festival's founding artistic director, headed the first three festivals, then left. She returned for the 2000 festival. <br>
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Festival events are being held around Atlanta, from the Atlanta University Center in southwest to The Woodruff Arts Center in midtown.
