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Highlighted Community Events
Voices From The Edge
April 18 at 7:00 PM
Donna Washington & Milbre Burch present an evening of storytelling for adults. Voices From The Edge combines family history, personal experience, folklore, and a dramatic monologue to spotlight the cultural forces that leave many Americans vulnerable. It also offers hope and empowerment in this time of uncertainty. Free event, registration required.
Durham Arts Council
120 Morris Street Durham
Voices From The Edge
April 18 at 7:00 PM
Donna Washington & Milbre Burch present an evening of storytelling for adults. Voices From The Edge combines family history, personal experience, folklore, and a dramatic monologue to spotlight the cultural forces that leave many Americans vulnerable. It also offers hope and empowerment in this time of uncertainty. Free event, registration required.
Durham Arts Council
120 Morris Street Durham
The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
On view until June 29, 2025
The title, The Time Is Always Now, references an essay on desegregation by American writer James Baldwin (1924–1987). Organized around three themes—double consciousness, the persistence of history, and our aliveness—the exhibition showcases works by artists including Michael Armitage, Jordan Casteel, Lubaina Himid, Kerry James Marshall, Wangechi Mutu, Toyin Ojih Odutola, and Amy Sherald. Admission: $20 Adults, $17 Seniors, $12 Students (ages 7–22), free for children 6 and under
North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
www.ncartmuseum.com
Blog Highlight
William Henry Curry --
The Life of an African American Conductor
(Excerpt from Blog)
William Henry Curry’s journey is one of immense talent, resilience, and passion. As a composer, professor, and conductor of the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Curry’s story is a testament to overcoming racial barriers and pursuing one’s dreams. He attributes his drive to a profound love for classical music, a love that pushed him through significant challenges in his career. Growing up in a lower-middle-class family in Pittsburgh, Curry and his brother Ralph, a cellist in the Cleveland Orchestra, faced financial struggles that initially limited their musical opportunities. However, their family's rich musical heritage, including their maternal grandfather's role in opera and their paternal grandmother’s scholarship to the New England Conservatory, paved the way for their success.
Despite early obstacles, Curry’s determination led him to study at the Oberlin Conservatory, where he honed his craft. His professional breakthrough came when, at the age of 21, he was thrust into conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on very short notice, a performance that catapulted his career. Yet, his path was not without resistance; Curry faced blatant racial discrimination, including rejections due to his race and being told by a concert manager that he couldn’t be promoted because of he was African American. Despite these setbacks, Curry has persevered, achieving incredible success, including conducting major American orchestras and winning the prestigious Leopold Stokowski Conducting Competition. He remains a beacon of inspiration, shaping future musicians and breaking barriers for African Americans in the classical music world.
By Sherri Holmes, Triangle FAAA Founder & Director
The Life of an African American Conductor
(Excerpt from Blog)
William Henry Curry’s journey is one of immense talent, resilience, and passion. As a composer, professor, and conductor of the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Curry’s story is a testament to overcoming racial barriers and pursuing one’s dreams. He attributes his drive to a profound love for classical music, a love that pushed him through significant challenges in his career. Growing up in a lower-middle-class family in Pittsburgh, Curry and his brother Ralph, a cellist in the Cleveland Orchestra, faced financial struggles that initially limited their musical opportunities. However, their family's rich musical heritage, including their maternal grandfather's role in opera and their paternal grandmother’s scholarship to the New England Conservatory, paved the way for their success.
Despite early obstacles, Curry’s determination led him to study at the Oberlin Conservatory, where he honed his craft. His professional breakthrough came when, at the age of 21, he was thrust into conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on very short notice, a performance that catapulted his career. Yet, his path was not without resistance; Curry faced blatant racial discrimination, including rejections due to his race and being told by a concert manager that he couldn’t be promoted because of he was African American. Despite these setbacks, Curry has persevered, achieving incredible success, including conducting major American orchestras and winning the prestigious Leopold Stokowski Conducting Competition. He remains a beacon of inspiration, shaping future musicians and breaking barriers for African Americans in the classical music world.
By Sherri Holmes, Triangle FAAA Founder & Director
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Triangle Friends of African American Arts was supported by the Durham Arts Council’s Durham Culture & Arts - Invest to Restart. |
Disclaimer:
Community event details are manually gathered from submissions and online sources. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend visiting the websites of the presenting organizations, most of our listings are directly linked to them.
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