For many years, The Arts Council of Indianapolis has invited the community to reflect on and celebrate Black History Month during its Art & Soul Fest. This year, the council is partnering with American Pianists Association, Asante Children’s Theatre and Indy Jazz Festival to present the 20th anniversary of “Art & Soul: A Celebration of African-American Art and Artists in Indiana at the Indianapolis Artsgarden.”
“We are incredibly proud to present the 20th anniversary of Art & Soul. With the ongoing support of Lilly Endowment Inc., we celebrate African-American art and artists of Indiana in an extraordinary month of performances and exhibitions. All of us at the Arts Council look forward to welcoming audiences to the beautiful Artsgarden for another fantastic Art & Soul,” Dave Lawrence, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, said in a release.
The kickoff event will take place Jan. 30 at noon and will feature numerous community artists, arts leaders and worship arts ministers. A special tribute to radio warrior Amos Brown III is scheduled, as well as a food and vendor fair and student art exhibition.
Four artists will be showcased during the festival: Derrick Carter (visual), Mariah Ivey (literary), Nicholas Owens (dance) and Jared Thompson (music).
Thompson, a saxophonist who describes his musical style as a fusion of R&B, hip-hop and bebop, told the Indianapolis Recorder it’s an honor to be a part of the 20th anniversary.
“To be added in that archive on a 20th anniversary is really nice. A lot of times people see events of this nature for Black History Month and may feel this isn’t specifically for them and that it’s just for the Black community, but hopefully we’re getting to the point where we are dispelling that,” said Thompson.
Following are a list of events part of the 2016 Art & Soul Fest:
Jan. 30: Art & Soul Kickoff Celebration
Art & Soul 2016 will celebrate the arts in the journey to freedom. The kickoff will feature a procession of featured artists, arts leaders and worship arts ministers, an inspirational gospel choir, a tribute to Amos Brown, an African-American food and vendor fair, along with a student art exhibition highlighting the talents of Indianapolis students. Meet featured artists: Derrick Carter (visual), Mariah Ivey (literary), Nicholas Owens (dance) and Jared Thompson (music).
Feb. 3: Mariah Ivey, featured literary artist
Spoken word: HEALing and HILLing Toward FREEdom
Feb. 4: Griot Drum Ensemble
African drumming
Feb. 5: Kenny Phelps and Owl Music Group
Gospel jazz experience
Feb. 6: Native Sun
Fusion of the sacred sounds of hip-hop, gospel and soul
Feb. 10: Brenda Williams
Music inspired by Mahalia Jackson
Feb. 11: Steven Jones and Allyson Horton
The poetic story of jazz
Feb. 12: Epiphany Dance Collective
Fusion of African, modern and hip-hop dance
Feb. 13: Rob Dixon Quartet featuring Goldie
Tribute to John Coltrane and Nina Simone
Feb. 17: Black Dance Matters
Exploring the Black arts movement through dance
Featured dance artist Nicholas Owens
Feb. 18: Bashiri Asad
Essence of African-American R&B, soul and folk music from 1970–2000
Feb. 19: Ben Rose
Music and spoken word from protest to worship, Africa to America
Feb. 20: Asante Children’s Theatre Word Dance
A celebration of poetry and music followed by Any Given Child Indy forum
Any Given Child Indy parent forum is the first in a series of parent dialogues about arts education in Indianapolis.
Feb. 24: Kevin Johnson
Music inspired by Langston Hughes
Feb. 25: Krash Krew Dance Ministries
Gospel and hip-hop dance
Feb. 26: Jared Thompson and Premium Blend
Jazz inspired by Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock
Featured music artist Jared Thompson
Feb. 27: Art & Soul Closing Ceremony
Closing celebration with a performance by the LifeJourney Gospel Choir and a tribute to marriage equality. The tribute will include a procession of couples and an Arts Council-commissioned poem and music featuring the talents of featured artists Mariah Ivey and Jared Thompson.
