Happenings July 31 - August 6

The Museum of the City of New York is making a come back with its latest slate of exhibitions particularly Urban Stomp: Dreams & Defiance on the Dance Floor, an immersive exhibition curated by Derrick Washington. Washington has received critical acclaim for his research and work on the installation. The exhibit takes visitors on a journey exploring dances created in New York like Voguing to genres like Salsa created by Puerto Rican pioneers such as Hector Lavoe. Featuring Louis Armstrong's trumpet and diary, the exhibit is a must see for New Yorkers who lived with the background music of  The City as their personal soundtrack, or for anyone who wants to learn about how dance fueled protests, movements and everyday life. For more information visit https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/urban-stomp.

If you enjoy film than look no further then the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. The
festivities kick-off on Martha's Vineyard, Ma in August 1 with an opening night reception sponsored by ESPN Sports. From there the film reels roll with a the screening of a Hip Hop Visual Album by the legendary Slick Rick, on August 1 enjoy a screening of the Dutchman with Andre Holland and Aldis Hodge, on August 2 Viola Davis explores Black maternal health in The Ebony Canal, on August 3 Good Home Training highlights the legacy of Black upbringings and on August 4th Delta is hosting an Opening Night Reception.  There's so much more and to purchase tickets go to eventbrite.com

On August 2, Babatunde Akinboboye will grace the stage of The Foundation in Richmond,Va to perform his Hip Hopera, a fusion of hip hop and classical opera. Akinbobye has performed with the Los Angeles Opera, Opera San Jose, Opera Santa Barbara and more. Internationally acclaimed the Nigerian American singer is an advocate for works composed by African and African American artists and Hip Hopera is a manifestation of that work. To purchase tickets go to eventbrite.com.

If in Virginia it's definitely worth a trip to Richmond to see Frida: Beyond The Myth featuring more than 60 pieces from the beginning of her career to her death, including never before seen pieces. The show also includes photographs of Kahlo taken by her nearest and dearest giving viewers a glimpse into her intimate life and how her loved ones saw her. The exhibit runs through September 28 and captures Kahlo's Mexican pride, sensuality and vulnerability. Spanish language and English language walking tours are also available. For more information go to vmfa.museum. 

Atlanta is forgoing the traffic and is walking with The Remedy Studios and Wellness Walk Society.  Centering health and wellness for people of color the walks offer a safe space for two hours of calm and movement. The walk often includes Black owned business partners in the health and wellness space to add another layer of holistic practice to the activity. Join the next walk on August 6th from 6:30-8:30 pm. The walk begins at Bar Premio and to purchase a ticket click here. 

Award winning artist Rashid Johnson's exhibition A Poem for Deep Thinkers is currently on view at the Guggenheim. A Chicago native Johnson's work  explores themes such as manhood, The Black American experience, and spirituality all against an urban backdrop. The multi-media installation includes more than 90 pieces ranging from black bar soap paintings, large sculptures, film and video. As part of the exhibition the Guggenheim will present a series of live performance and public programs that bring to life Sanguine, a site specific work on the top ramp with an embedded piano and Rotunda stage that bookends the exhibit.  For more information go to Guggenheim.org.