Atlanta offers visual, performing and literary arts reflecting the African-American experience year-round, but especially during Black History Month.
The options are even greater this February with the launch of Africa Atlanta 2014, a yearlong, citywide series of events focusing on Atlanta as a nexus for reinventing cultural and economic bonds among Africa, Europe and the Americas. Here is information about it and nine more Black History Month highlights unfolding across the metro area over the next four weeks:
Digging ‘Roots’ in Roswell
One of Atlanta’s most comprehensive Black History Month celebrations, Roswell Roots will feature 24 events in its 13th edition, including art exhibitions, concerts, theater productions, workshops and a cornbread cook-off.
Among the highlights: Atlanta photographer Sheila Pree Bright’s “Invisible Suburbia,” a monthlong exhibit spotlighting middle-class African-American suburban homes at the antebellum Barrington Hall; Masters of Soul’s Motown revue, 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Roswell Cultural Arts Center; a screening of the documentary “3-Minute Activists: The Soul of Slam,” shot during the 2013 Roswell Roots Poetry Slam, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Aurora Cineplex; and Bright Star Touring Theatre’s “Let It Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement,” 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Teaching Museum North.
770-641-3705, www.roswellroots.com.
From Africa to Atlanta
Africa Atlanta 2014 officially launches Feb. 28 with the exhibit “Mapping Place: Africa Beyond Paper” at Georgia Tech’s Robert C. Williams Paper Museum. But you needn’t wait to check out events already popping up under the festival’s umbrella:
- "A Black Odyssey," at Emory University's Michael C. Carlos Museum through March 9, showcases the late Romare Bearden's 1940s and 1970s interpretations of Homer's epic poems "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey."
- "African Mask/Masquerade: More Than Meets the Eye," at the High Museum of Art through June 1, presents 17 works from western and central Africa detailing the diversity of creative expression of African masquerade performances.
- In "Renée Stout: Tales of the Conjure Woman," at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art through May 17, the Washington multimedia artist explores African-derived folk beliefs of hoodoo and conjuring.
- "Arts Race to Embrace: James Pate's KKK Series, Kin Killin' Kin," at Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries through March 7, finds the Ohio artist addressing the epidemic of gun violence in urban communities.
- Johannesburg's Soweto Gospel Choir, amid its 10th anniversary "Divine Decade" tour, performs at the Rialto Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Feb. 8.
- "The Triptych," a documentary about three contemporary artists of African descent (Sanford Biggers, Barron Claiborne and Wangechi Mutu), screens at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library. A discussion with director Terence Nance and Georgia Tech artist in residence Biggers follows.
Alvin Ailey’s ‘new energy’
When Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater makes its annual tour stop at the Fox Theatre, Feb. 13-16, Ailey’s classic “Revelations” again will be the traditional program closer. (Audiences here and elsewhere wouldn’t have it any other way.)
But in other ways, the New York troupe is evolving as Robert Battle makes his mark as artistic director, only its third leader since its 1958 founding. Not only has he imported new repertory, he’s brought in a third of the 30-member troupe since taking over in July 2011.
“The company is a lot more open, because younger people are like that — they’re not so set in their ways,” dancer Jamar Roberts told Dance Magazine. “And Robert is offering a rep where you have to be completely open to transforming yourself, which creates a really good energy.”
New works include Aszure Barton’s “Lift,” created over five weeks in the studio with the Ailey dancers, emphasizing their rhythmic dexterity.
8 p.m. Feb. 13-14, 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 15, 3 p.m. Feb. 16. Tickets start at $25. 660 Peachtree St. N.E. 1-855-285-8499, www.foxatltix.com.
Lessons from Alonzo Herndon
The life of Alonzo Herndon, who rose from slavery to become a barber, entrepreneur, founder and president of Atlanta Life Insurance Co., philanthropist and Atlanta’s wealthiest black citizen at the time of his death in 1927, would seem to hold great inspiration for youngsters.
Atlantan Morris Mapp, author of a new children’s book on Herndon, will read from “From Shanty to Fancy” at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library’s College Park Branch at 3 p.m. Feb. 15 and at downtown’s Central Library at 11 a.m. Feb. 18 (followed by a movie).
College Park (reservation required): 404-762-4060; Central: 404-730-1700.
Artists’ take on Trayvon Martin
The pundits and politicians had their say about the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida. Now area artists give their interpretation in “Remembering Trayvon: A Community Collective Exhibition.”
The exhibit, in the Auburn Avenue Research Library Satellite Gallery at Hammonds House Museum through Feb. 23, features renderings and interpretations of Martin, from hand-drawn to digital.
$4; $2 students and ages $55 and up. 503 Peeples St. S.W., Atlanta. 404-612-0500, www.afpls.org/events-aarl.
Cobb Energy keeps Ray Charles in mind
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre’s Jazz Roots series will play tribute to an artist who’s always on our minds in any discussion of the greatest soul singers.
“Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating Ray Charles,” at 8 p.m. Feb. 26, features a diverse bill, true to the many styles the Albany native melded in his music. On the bill: Take 6, Clint Holmes, Nnenna Freelon, Kirk Whalum, the Clark Atlanta University Band and Singers and the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir.
$29-$99. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. www.cobbenergycentre.com.
KKK + civil rights = surprise
The setup sounds like utter fiction: A civil rights activist and a KKK leader put aside prejudice and fear and form an alliance based upon respect and trust. Except that Mark St. Germain’s new drama “The Best of Enemies,” adapted from Osha Gray Davidson’s book, is based on a true story.
Theatrical Outfit is staging “Enemies” Jan. 29 through Feb. 23.
$20-$50. Balzer Theatre at Herren's, 84 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, www.theatricaloutfit.org.
Historic chapters come to life
Two Atlanta history institutions are offering events tied to Black History Month:
- The Atlanta History Center will present the family program "Struggles and Strides: The Early Fight for Civil Rights" on Feb. 8. The 11 a.m.-4 p.m. event will explore the African-American experience from the great migration to the civil rights movement, including performances of Addae Moon's new play "Walking Through the Valley: A Journey Towards Freedom."
$16.50, $13 seniors 65 and older and students 13-18, $11 ages 4-12. 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-814-4000, www.atlantahistorycenter.com.
- The Cyclorama launches a series of lectures, film screenings and performances keyed to the Battle of Atlanta's sesquicentennial with the documentary "February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four" at 7 p.m. Feb. 6. At 7 p.m. Feb. 20, Barbara Krauthamer will discuss her book "Black Slaves, Indian Masters: Slavery, Emancipation, and Citizenship in the Native American South."
Most events are free. 800 Cherokee Ave. S.E., Atlanta. www.atlantacyclorama.org.
An art prize offering many gifts
Ten years after the High Museum of Art established the David C. Driskell Prize to honor the influence of African-Americans in art history and art scholarship, a new exhibit shows how the association with the noted artist, educator, scholar and curator has enhanced the museum’s permanent collection.
“A Decade of David C. Driskell” pairs a print portfolio by the Eatonton native with winners of the Driskell Prize (including Willie Cole, Xaviera Simmons and Renee Stout) and also includes works acquired through an acquisition fund established in Driskell’s honor (including by Radcliffe Bailey, Julie Mehretu and Martin Puryear).
Also on view: “Civil Rights Photography, 1956-1968” (through June 1).
$19.50; $16.50, 65 and over and students; $12, ages 6-17; free, 5 and younger. 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-733-4444, www.high.org.
Honoring an artist and mentor
The half-century-plus career of one of Atlanta’s pre-eminent visual artists and educators is celebrated in the Hudgens Center for the Arts exhibit “Evolving Visions — Larry Walker & Colleagues.” The show includes more than 20 works by the Georgia State University School of Art and Design professor emeritus as well as pieces by a quintet of the many metro artists the Franklin native has inspired: Joe Camoosa, Patricia Drew, Eleanor Neal, Yanique Norman and Michael Scoffield.
Through March 29. $5, $3 ages 62 and up, students and children. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, Duluth. 770-623-6002, www.thehudgens.org.
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