This February, Downtown Cary has some very exciting events and programming surrounding Black History Month. Check out what’s happening this month:
A Brilliant and Uncertain Performance: Poetry by Dasan Ahanu
Feb 2, 8:00 pm at The Cary Theater
This show is a unique live band and spoken word experience based on Dasan Ahanu’s poetry chapbook, a brilliant uncertain rebellion. Dasan is an award-winning poet, spoken word artist, and emcee continuing in a long tradition of music and performance. A student of craft. A speaker of truth. A griot looking to bring his words to life on stage to the dynamic backdrop of jazz and soul instrumentation. Each poem will be blended with clever interpretations of Andre Benjamin, aka Andre 3000’s, musical catalog including Outkast songs and guest appearances to create a performance experience unlike anything else.
A brilliant and uncertain rebellion is a celebration of self determination and will. It is a declaration of joy and resilience. It is a battle cry and a call to all those who have ever faced unnecessary expectations. Inspired by an artist and a rebel, this work seeks to establish that we decide the truth of our lives and we determine the direction of our lives. We control our art. Let’s never forget that.
Books will be on sale and can be signed by the author.
For tickets and information click here.
Future of Black History Month: STREAMing Into The Future
Feb 10, 1:00 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Immerse yourself in a dynamic program that explores the rich cultural heritage and achievements of the Black community. Through engaging discussions, thought-provoking talks, and interactive workshops, we aim to highlight the STREAMing (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) aspects of Black history.
Discover how Black visionaries have shaped the future in various fields, from science and technology to literature and the arts. Engage with renowned speakers, artists, and scholars who will share their insights and experiences, providing a unique perspective on the future of Black history.
Free with registration at Eventbrite.
United Strings of Color Presents Stories for Black History
Feb 10, 6:30 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Cultures all over the world have told stories in order to impart values, culture and history to their children. Tickets are on sale through the Town of Cary and E-tix: https://etix.com/
For more information about United Strings of Color, please visit our website: https://www.unitedstringsofcolor.org/
The Future of Jazz Featuring the NC Jazz Ensemble
Feb 17, 7:00 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Celebrate Black History Month at the Cary Arts Center with the NC Jazz Ensemble. This is Jazz with a twist, the 2.0 remix, beaming you into the future for one night only. Experience the Future of Jazz with the NC Jazz Ensemble as they play an array of R&B, Soul, Funk, Pop, and Jazz songs from past and present chart-topping artists. Don’t wait, tickets are going fast!
Tickets Available at Etix.
Purchase in person at The Cary Box Office
122 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27511
(919) 462-2051
Marvelous Music Mainstage Series: Sons of Mystro
Feb 23, 7:30 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Umoja and Malcolm are the two talented violinists that make up Sons of Mystro. Their unique sound draws from an array of musical genres, from classical to R&B to hip-hop, all while incorporating their signature touch of soulful improvisation. Each concert is a perfect blend of covers and original compositions that showcase their musical prowess. With their mesmerizing arrangements, intricate harmonies, and contagious energy, Sons of Mystro is sure to sweep the audience away in an unforgettable evening.
For more, visit sonsofmystro.com
Purchase tickets here.
Black Is the Color: A Film About the History of African American Art
Feb 24, 11:00 am at The Cary Theater
Film Synopsis: In 1969, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York mounted a major exhibit called “Harlem On My Mind.” There was just one thing wrong: the show had no work by African American artists.
The “Harlem on My Mind” fiasco is emblematic of the barriers Black artists have faced when it comes to having their work exhibited and collected. BLACK IS THE COLOR highlights key moments in the history of African-American visual art, from Edmonia Lewis’s 1867 sculpture Forever Free, to the work of contemporary artists such as Whitfield Lovell, Kerry James Marshall, Ellen Gallagher, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Art historians and gallery owners place the works in context—juxtaposing them with racist images of African-Americans as minstrels, for instance, and setting them against the larger social contexts of Jim Crow, WWI, the civil rights movement and the racism of the Reagan era. Meanwhile, contemporary artists discuss individual works by their forerunners and their ongoing influence.
Both comprehensive and lively, BLACK IS THE COLOR is a much-needed survey of great work by artists whose contributions were neglected by the mainstream art world for far too long.
Tickets: $6 (individual); $4 (seniors/students/child); $3 (CFC members)
An Art Class inspired by the film will follow immediately after the end of the film at the Cary Theater
Art Class: Inspired by Black Is the Color
Tickets: $25 (individual); $23 (CFC member)
Cost includes materials, instruction, and pre-class refreshments.