The 2010 National Black Arts Festival will showcase more than 1,000 artists from the African Diaspora. Enjoy artist markets, gallery crawls, music, literature, theater and film at this four-day festival. Can't decide which events to attend? Shamiah Byrd and Nicole Vacarella helped narrow down the pickings.
Dance
PHILADANCO (pictured above)
Join NBAF at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University, as they help celebrate Philadanco’s 40th anniversary. The evening’s program will feature the work of four choreographers and music by George Clinton.
July 15 & 17
Rialto Center for the Performing Arts
Education
Coretta Scott King Awards Book Fair
The Coretta Scott King Book Award has honored 113 authors and illustrators over the past 40 years and is presented in partnership with the Children's Department of the Atlanta Fulton Public Library System. The fair never disappoints.
July 14
Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library- Children’s Department
Children’s Education Village: More Than Words: Camps and Groups
Based on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "Growing the Dream" features a child-sized replica of King’s historic boyhood home. Children and adults are welcome to tour the home and to participate in social events based on 12 core themes which are derived from the speeches and writings of and about Dr. King. The themes range from peace, justice to growth and dreams.
July 16 – July 18
Centennial Olympic Park; free
Gala
2010 NBAF Gala: A Gathering of Colors
The 2010 NBAF Gala is going back to a bygone era with a "Stormy's Supper Club" theme in the Grand Atrium of the beautifully restored 200 Peachtree. Black tie for the gentlemen and formal evening gowns for the women, or late 1920'-30's period attire is requested.
July 17
200 Peachtree ST; $300/individual
Visual Arts
Sandler Hudson Gallery: Girls, Grills and Guns
Visit the exhibition where Sheila Pree Bright will display photographs from her “Plastic Bodies,” Gold Rush,” and “Guns” series. Her photographs will examine the intersection of male and female beauty standards for people of color and takes a look at young African American culture in America.
July 15-August 14
Sandler Hudson Gallery; free
Hammonds House Museum and Resource center of African American Art: Louis Delsarte
Emerge into the experiences and imagination of Louis Delsarte as he displays his figurative paintings of dream-like compositions. Lewis became part of the art scene more than 35 years ago as a painter and continues to live up as one of the leading artist in the region.
July 15-September 12
Hammonds House Museum and Resource Center of African American Art; free
Avisca Fine Art Gallery Two-Person Exhibition by April Harrison and Zoya Taylor
The Fine Art Gallery Two-Person Exhibition guides participants as they explore the best of both worlds. April Harrison and Zoya Taylor share their superb paintings as visitors take a look at Zoya’s self-taught images and April’s rich textures and dimensions.
July 15
Avisca Fine Art Gallery Two-Person Exhibition; free
International Marketplace
Join Artisans from around the world as they showcase their best merchandise in this marketplace. From beautifully woven fabrics and clothing to skillfully handcrafted jewelry, wood carved sculptures and supple leather goods, there will be great finds for serious collectors and those who are seriously into retail therapy.
July 15
International Marketplace; free
Hagedorn Foundation Gallery Represent: Imaging African American Culture in Contemporary Art
Represent: Imaging African American Culture in Contemporary Art, is a group photography exhibition dealing with the roots of black culture and thus personality identity. Browse through the bold, nearly abstract images of the traditional, ceremonial hairstyles of Nigeria by Ojeikere.
July 16-September 3
Hagedorn Foundation Gallery Represent; free
Music
Body and Soul with Wycliffe Gordon
Enjoy the sounds of Wycliffe Gordon, the trombonist, as he performs his original score to Oscar Micheaux’s 1925 film, Body and Soul along with 16-piece big band. Gordon provides a rich musical tapestry for the film which not only highlights his talent as composer and performer, but also contextualizes Micheaux’s genius and innovation as a filmmaker.
July 14
Rialto Center for the Performing Arts; $44-$25
Brazil Fest Concert: The Best of Brazil
Experience music that American jazz legends already know as the astounding Ivan Lins headlines an evening of the Best of Brazilian music. Accompanying Ivan, Marcia Bittencourt, a Bossa singer, an Afro Brazilian percussion group Olodum, and Brazilian modern Ballet group Bale de Cidade.
July 15
Atlanta Symphony Hall; $25-$65
To Curtis with Love
NBAF is thrilled to pay tribute to the music and legacy of Curtis Mayfield with To Curtis with Love, a 2010 Legends Celebration. Ten years after his death his music continues to inspire audiences, influence artists. Join the Impressions, Eddie Levert, Van Hunt, Frank McComb, Dionne Farris and Joi Gilliam as they reminisce through the Curtis Mayfield songbook.
July 16
Atlanta Symphony Hall, $65-$25
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The National Black Arts Festival and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra prolong their annual partnership to present a community concert at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The concert features young musicians from the ASO Talent Development Program and the Detroit based Sphinx Competition. Both Sphinx and ASO nurture talent in black and Latino communities in the classical music genre.
July 18
Ebenezer Baptist Church; free
For a complete listing of NBAF events visit nbaf.org.
