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Celebrate African American arts and artists in the Triangle!
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Highlighted Events
Peace of Clay
February 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm
At this special evening, actors will present an exciting, work-in-progress play written by Mike Wiley and Howard L. Craft. Then the audience can engage in a post-show discussion with the award-winning playwrights and walk through a pop-up exhibit about historic Durham.
Peace of Clay explores the pressures, hopes, and aspirations of a young man coming of age in a southern city in the 1980s. Raised by a devoted mother in the projects, the main character tries to pursue his path in the midst of obstacles and discovers his own power and strength. The play is a mediation on an African American lower-working-class family in pursuit of an American dream that seems to always be just beyond their grasp. Admission is $20.
Living Arts Collective
410 West Geer Street, Durham
(919) 831-6941
Photo credit: Bruce dePyssler
February 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm
At this special evening, actors will present an exciting, work-in-progress play written by Mike Wiley and Howard L. Craft. Then the audience can engage in a post-show discussion with the award-winning playwrights and walk through a pop-up exhibit about historic Durham.
Peace of Clay explores the pressures, hopes, and aspirations of a young man coming of age in a southern city in the 1980s. Raised by a devoted mother in the projects, the main character tries to pursue his path in the midst of obstacles and discovers his own power and strength. The play is a mediation on an African American lower-working-class family in pursuit of an American dream that seems to always be just beyond their grasp. Admission is $20.
Living Arts Collective
410 West Geer Street, Durham
(919) 831-6941
Photo credit: Bruce dePyssler
Museum of Durham History Exhibit:
Louis Austin and the Carolina Times
On view until March 31, 2019
This exhibit explores the life of newspaper publisher Louis Austin and how he used the Carolina Times as a catalyst in the African American effort for freedom-- fighting for racial justice and black empowerment.
Louis Austin and the Carolina Times, which uses the life of Louis Austin as a lens through which to view the African American struggle for equality in Durham, reveals the important role played by the press. While this exhibit is centered on the life of Louis Austin, it also narrates the story of other movement activists in Durham, including attorney Conrad Pearson, who fought for over three decades to integrate higher education and public schools in North Carolina. It also tells the story of Private Booker T. Spicely, who was shot and killed by a white bus driver for transgressing the color line on a Durham bus in 1944. The exhibit shines a light on the sit-in for desegregation at an ice cream parlor, and the integration of Durham High School.
Museum of Durham History
500 West Main Street, Durham
(919) 246-9993
museumofdurhamhistory.org
Louis Austin and the Carolina Times
On view until March 31, 2019
This exhibit explores the life of newspaper publisher Louis Austin and how he used the Carolina Times as a catalyst in the African American effort for freedom-- fighting for racial justice and black empowerment.
Louis Austin and the Carolina Times, which uses the life of Louis Austin as a lens through which to view the African American struggle for equality in Durham, reveals the important role played by the press. While this exhibit is centered on the life of Louis Austin, it also narrates the story of other movement activists in Durham, including attorney Conrad Pearson, who fought for over three decades to integrate higher education and public schools in North Carolina. It also tells the story of Private Booker T. Spicely, who was shot and killed by a white bus driver for transgressing the color line on a Durham bus in 1944. The exhibit shines a light on the sit-in for desegregation at an ice cream parlor, and the integration of Durham High School.
Museum of Durham History
500 West Main Street, Durham
(919) 246-9993
museumofdurhamhistory.org
Blog Highlights
Our stories are being told and we should be there to see them.
By Sherri Holmes
I just saw The Justice Theater Project’s production of A Doll’s House and Playmakers Repertory Company’s Skeleton Crew. Both performances received rave reviews from audiences and critics. They both have great casts, unique sets and special stories about our community. They were both written by young African American female playwrights.
There is another thing the shows have in common. They did not have enough African Americans in the audience. It is heartbreaking to see such wonderful plays with African American casts and only a few of us there to experience them. In the Skeleton Crew playbill, there was a "Rules of Engagement" from the playwright. Here are some excerpts:
You are allowed to have audible moments of reaction and response. My work requires a few "um hmms" and "uhn uhnns" should you need to use them.This can be church for some of us, testifying is allowed. Please be an audience member that joins with others and allows a bit of breathing room. Exhale together. Laugh together. Say "amen" should you need to. This is community. Let's go.
It is clear who she was thinking of when she wrote her rules. She created her play for us. And we should be there. You know what? You will LOVE both of these shows! And your friends and family will love you for bringing them. And the actors, playwrights and theater companies will love that you were there. So please provide your support. I promise you'll be glad that you did!
By Sherri Holmes, Triangle FAAA Founder & Director
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