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Highlighted Community Events
Primary Trust
January 28 - February 15, 2026
Build your story, one connection at a time. When Kenneth’s life of quiet routine— a bookstore job and happy hour mai tais—is suddenly upended, he is confronted by an unfamiliar world of possibility. Come with us on this sweet, moving exploration of trust, transformation, and the unexpected ways we find each other.
Use promo TFAAA for 30% Off all Premium and Section A Seats. Tickets start at just $20
Do you want to sit with Triangle FAAA attendees? Join us at Triangle FAAA Night on January 31. Just register at "Triangle FAAA Events", and we will send you a link so you can join our group ticket purchase.
PlayMakers Repertory Company
120 Country Club Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
www.playmakersrep.org
Black Voices on PBS
PBS features a broad range of programming that highlights the contributions of artists of African descent across the arts, media, and culture. Through performances, series, and documentaries, PBS presents stories and experiences that reflect the richness and diversity of the community.
Many programs are available to stream for free, while some require a PBS Passport membership, which starts at $5 per month.
Click below to explore a wide variety of performers, actors, and shows across genres and formats.
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 is 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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