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Celebrate African American arts and artists in the Triangle!
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Highlighted Events
Triangle Friends of African American Arts presents
African American Theater Preview
January 20, 2019 at 7pm
The Triangle Friends of African American Arts is bringing together performing arts organizations to showcase the wonderful African American plays and musicals that will hit the stages in 2019. This special evening will include insights from playwrights as well as songs and dramatic scenes from upcoming performances. Hosted by Mike Williams, Founder of The Black on Black Project. Admission is $15.
Raleigh Little Theatre
301 Pogue Street, Raleigh
Photo credit: Bruce dePyssler
African American Theater Preview
January 20, 2019 at 7pm
The Triangle Friends of African American Arts is bringing together performing arts organizations to showcase the wonderful African American plays and musicals that will hit the stages in 2019. This special evening will include insights from playwrights as well as songs and dramatic scenes from upcoming performances. Hosted by Mike Williams, Founder of The Black on Black Project. Admission is $15.
Raleigh Little Theatre
301 Pogue Street, Raleigh
Photo credit: Bruce dePyssler
Ashe in Johannesburg
January 24 - February 10, 2019
A young American named Arthur Ashe won the US Open in 1968, becoming the first black man to win a ‘major’. But it was at a little-known competition in the heart of Apartheid South Africa, that Ashe fought, and won, his greatest battle. And it wasn’t on a tennis court. Admission is $15+ . Burning Coal Theatre Company commissioned the rising young playwright Hannah Benitez to tell this little known story for the first time. This production is suitable for ages 14 and up.
Burning Coal Theatre Company
Murphey School Auditorium
224 Polk Street, Raleigh
(919) 834-4001
www.burningcoal.org
Daddy's Home by Lamar Whidbee
On view until January 26, 2019
We've seen all the statistics. More than half (58%) of black children are living with an unmarried parent, 47% with just mom. We’re constantly discussing the lack of black fathers in the home and how that weighs on the family. But what about when daddy is at home? How does he raise a child when he’s living in the chaos and confusion of being a black man in America?The artwork in “Daddy’s Home” explores the decisions artist Lamar Whidbee’s father made and how those choices affected the artist’s approach in raising his own son. In both cases, daddy was and is at home. Lamar Whidbee is the second recipient of the Black On Black Project's Jo Ann Williams Artist Fellowship.
Opening reception, Jan. 12, 4 pm - 7 pm, RSVP at www.blackonblackproject.com
Closing reception/Community Conversation: Jan. 26, 4 pm - 7 pm, RSVP at www.blackonblackproject.com
Anchorlight
1401 S Bloodworth St, Raleigh
www.blackonblackproject.com
The Life & Career of Artist Ernie Barnes
February 17, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Raised in Durham, Ernie Barnes was a professional football player who made the unusual transition to become a renowned artist. Many are familiar with his artwork from the Norman Lear television show, Good Times. Gain insight into Ernie Barnes from someone who knows him best, his daughter, DeeDee Barnes. Attendees are encouraged to visit the Museum’s Ernie Barnes art exhibition before or after the discussion. Free Admission. Registration requested, but not required.
North Carolina Museum of History
5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh
www.ncmuseumofhistory.org
Image: The Sugar Shack. Copyright © Ernie Barnes Family Trust
February 17, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Raised in Durham, Ernie Barnes was a professional football player who made the unusual transition to become a renowned artist. Many are familiar with his artwork from the Norman Lear television show, Good Times. Gain insight into Ernie Barnes from someone who knows him best, his daughter, DeeDee Barnes. Attendees are encouraged to visit the Museum’s Ernie Barnes art exhibition before or after the discussion. Free Admission. Registration requested, but not required.
North Carolina Museum of History
5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh
www.ncmuseumofhistory.org
Image: The Sugar Shack. Copyright © Ernie Barnes Family Trust
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
A Princess for Us
by Sherri Holmes, Triangle FAAA Founder
In the third grade, I was the only girl on my soccer team so I felt obligated to knock over any boy who got in my way (Go, girl power!). Still, like many young girls, I also wanted to be a princess. Perhaps it was the flowing dresses, pretty slippers, sparkling crown and a fairy godmother to make all of my dreams come true. Wouldn’t that have been wonderful?
When I was growing up there weren’t any princesses who looked like me. And the most famous princess of all, Cinderella was blond. Studies have shown that it’s important for children to see characters who reflect themselves and their families. There is a relationship between low self-esteem and negative media portrayals of racial groups. So really, Black Princesses Matter.
Fortunately, today young girls have more options. There is Tiana in the Disney film, The Princess and the Frog. African Princess Shuri is in Black Panther. And the singer Brandy starred in a TV production of Cinderella. If you want to share these shows with your own princess, you can find them at amazon.com.
Still, there is nothing like live theater. It draws you in and allows you to connect with the characters and become a part of the story. It can foster a child’s creativity and imagination as well as help them develop a lifelong love of the arts.
And guess what? The NC Theatre is presenting Lythgoe's production of Aladdin and His Winter Wish. It will run from November 29 – December 2, 2018. And the princess is being played by African American actress Nia Sioux! She starred in Dance Moms for 7 seasons and appears on The Bold and The Beautiful. The Genie is also being portrayed by an African American actor.
If you want your child to really feel like a princess or prince, you can even purchase a “Golden Ticket”. It will allow children ages 3-13 to have a special on-stage experience during the show. So take advantage of this great opportunity to engage your child with the theater. It may even make you feel like a royal! For more information about the performance, go to nctheatre.com.
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