Tag: history
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Without Permission or Apology: The Life and Career of Mary Edmonia Lewis
“In the first study of its kind about Lewis’ career, Dr. Buick will illustrate how 19th century mixed African-American and Native American (Mississauga Ojibwe) artist Mary Edmonia Lewis, also known as “Wildfire,” navigated through 19th century U.S. and European cultures. Learn how Lewis’ art was perceived, and how she created distinctly “American” art touching upon themes of indigeneity, sentimentality, gender, and race.”
Register to receive Zoom connection info for this free event.
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The Vice President’s Black Wife: Julia Chinn and the Story of Black Women’s Labor
Join in a fascinating conversation with award-winning historian Amrita Myers, viewing intersectionality and economics in the antebellum period through the lens of Julia Ann Chinn, enslaved wife of Martin Van Buren’s vice president.
Presented by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
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Black History Month Exhibit at Nuclear Museum
Learn about the groundbreaking accomplishments of Black scientists at this exhibit featuring seven African Americans who made major contributions to science. Exhibit is open throughout February.
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Jazz Jammin’: Rodney Bowe Talks Jazz Origins and Local Jams
By Kristin Satterlee
“Jazz is the Black American experience,” says Rodney Bowe, an Albuquerque upright bassist and jazz musician. “Very simply put, jazz came from us. We played it from the soul.”
According to Bowe, Albuquerque is “a great ground to get your feet wet.” Artists and listeners both benefit from jazz jams around town. Bowe, who teaches a class to prepare adult students to play in a jazz jam, says, “A jazz jam is open. It’s open to the public and, at the same time, it’s open to a novice as well as a master.”
Some of Bowe’s favorite local, regular jams include:
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- Ben Michael’s Restaurant on Tuesday nights from 7 to 10pm: 2404 Pueblo Bonito Ct NW, in Old Town
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- Kaktus Kats Blues Jam at Kaktus Brewing Co., Sundays from 2 to 5pm (check Facebook for rotating guest hosts): 471 South Hill Rd in Bernalillo
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- QBar Lounge at Hotel Albuquerque with saxophonist Alex Murzyn and pianist John Funkhouser, Fridays and Saturdays 6 to 10pm: 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW, in Old Town
Outpost Performance Space, located at 210 Yale Blvd SE, is a gem. Outpost hosts a jazz festival each summer, jazz shows throughout the year (like Diane Richardson’s Ella Fitzgerald tribute on April 18), and educational jazz programming. Check out their schedule at outpostspace.org.
For jazz in your own home, don’t miss the “All That Jazz” radio show on KUNM 89.9 FM at noon on Mondays. Listen online at kunm.org.
“You cannot be safe playing jazz because jazz is experimentation,” Bowe reminds us. “If you’re being safe in playing jazz, you’re not playing jazz.”
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One NM Gospel Concert Pays Tribute to Black American Experience
by Kristin Satterlee
“There is so much feeling and depth, so much that’s connected to gospel songs that goes all the way back to slavery times.”-Aria Gaston.
When you ask Aria Gaston—a Las Vegas, Nevada-based singer-songwriter, vocal coach, and gospel talent—why gospel music is important to the Black American experience, she wants you to know that “there’s a reason we sing the way we sing” that goes all the way back.
Gaston points to the spiritual “Wade in the Water”: “That’s way old school, right? Come to find out … Those hymns were their own code.” It was illegal to teach enslaved people to read or write, so these coded songs—also known as map songs or signal songs—were important vehicles to communicate dangerous ideas and instructions. “Wade in the Water” instructed people fleeing slavery that they would need to travel through water to find freedom. Other songs like “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and “Steal Away” had their own meanings and were used regularly on the Underground Railroad. It’s said that “Sweet Chariot,” sung to let slaves know that they would be escaping soon, was Harriet Tubman’s favorite song.
Gospel still speaks to us today. “Gospel music is full of encouragement for ourselves. I feel like the depth of who we are is knowing in our hearts who God is, and that is why we are able to share such a strong message of hope: to tell people trouble don’t last always, and we are going to keep singing that until we are sweating,” Gaston explains.
If you’re looking for a chance to sing songs of encouragement and praise until you break out in a sweat, don’t miss the free One NM Gospel Concert on Sunday, April 28 at First Unitarian Church (3701 Carlisle Blvd NE) in Albuquerque. Gaston will be headlining, “creating a worshipful experience where people are changed and don’t leave the same.”
The One NM Gospel Concert is open to and meant for everyone. While the music may be deeply rooted in the Black American experience, Gaston is confident when she says, “Of course gospel can pull all races together.” She backs the statement up with years of experience singing to and with audiences of all stripes. “Gospel music has soul in it. People talk about how they can feel it. Whites, Blacks, [Hispanics]—it doesn’t matter who they are. When a person gets up there singing a gospel song, you’re gonna see tears running through their eyes.”
“Definitely, it will bring everybody together,” concludes Gaston. RSVP to attend here. Sign up for the choir here.
One NM Gospel Concert
Sunday, April 28, 3:30pm
First Unitarian Church
3701 Carlisle Blvd NE
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Meditation with the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Explore meditation as a practice in liberation. This 40-minute mindfulness meditation features the soundscape of the “Spirit in the Dark” exhibition (more information HERE) and contemplation of the journey of Black Americans toward liberation.
Register here (FREE!) for access via Zoom.
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Black History Month Trivia
Join UNM Health Sciences’ Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for some fun and education! Learn about notable African-American/Black identified individuals and their contributions to health care and society… and win prizes!
Register HERE to receive location info.
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“Good Trouble” photo exhibit
In the spirit of the late Rep. John Lewis’s advice to “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble” comes this exhibit of photography documenting and celebrating the role of activists to champion and inspire.
Images from the 1930s up to now capture leaders and activists from Gandhi to Rosa Parks to Greta Thunberg.
Exhibit will be on display through September 17.
