A B O U T
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T H E B E N E F I T. . .
"From Emmett Till to SNCC & Beyond: Words + Music + Art" is a special benefit to support Highways Performance Space & Gallery as a cultural arts nonprofit, amidst the national headline-grabbing blindside of devastating cancellations and cuts to allocated public funds for the arts across the country---funds that nonprofits like Highways rely on... And this benefit is the organic result of renowned performance and visual artists coming together to help---especially "alumni" of Highway’s acclaimed 2005 and 2010 Emmett Till artists collective series, originally curated by Highways legacy artist, Kevin Spicer. But more importantly, this year, the series’ Vol. III of live performance, multimedia and visual art presentations marks two pivotal milestones that galvanized the Civil Rights Movement. The first is the 70th commemoration of both 1955’s white supremacy-driven Mississippi murder of Black Chicago teen Emmett Till, as well as the unflinching decision of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, to allow not only an open-casket funeral, but published photos of his tortured body, for the world to see racism’s wrath. The second commemorative milestone is the 65th anniversary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee aka SNCC—founded in 1960 by college students Emmett’s age when he was killed, who fearlessly fought against Jim Crow with historic sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and grassroots voting rights campaigns across the segregated South. In fact, the October date of the Benefit is meaningful, because SNCC held their first conference October 14 - 16, 1960 in Atlanta.
T H E W O R D S. . .
“From Emmett Till to SNCC & Beyond: Words + Music + Art” will not only include formidable pieces performed by real life history-makers SNCC member/artist-activist, Peggy Trotter Dammond Preacely and Freedom Summer student-activist/CORE advocate, David Crittendon, but powerful original works performed by award-winning theatre icon, Brian Freeman*; performance artist-director-choreographer, Joyce Guy* (also a LA Drama Critics Circle choreographer winner); and Gia Scott-Heron, renowned spoken word artist/star of the Off-Broadway hit, “Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology”, that showcases her legendary father’s work. Stage stalwart, Babe Evans* will also play a gripping character that manifests throughout the evening. In addition, special performance videos will feature revered multidisciplinary performing artist/writer, Paul Outlaw* and celebrated L.A.-based poet, Pam Ward*.
T H E M U S I C. . .
The evening will be infused with moving and empowering live music by: esteemed international all-female voice & drum group, ADAAWE; lauded singer-writer-performance artist, Marc Broyard*; and "Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology" cast member, Art.Us Mansoir, who will also join Gia Scott-Heron for a riveting piece of spoken word and song. There will also be a special multimedia music piece by performance/visual artist, Derek Shields, as well as a compelling video of music and original prose by musicians’ musician and popular L.A. singer-songwriter, Jason Luckett*.
T H E A R T. . .
Highways is also honored that in the Highways Gallery will be work by preeminent visual artists: Charles Dickson*, Candace Hunter* and Toni Scott*. In addition, established artists Robert Stuart Lowden* and Lori-Antoinette* will show special pieces available for purchase with proceeds to Highways, as will Marc Broyard and Derek Shields. Also, in a nod to the youth that started SNCC due to Emmett’s killing and the ongoing injustice that surrounded them, in the Gallery will be a work by late teen aspiring artist, Justin Carr (courtesy of the Justin Carr Wants World Peace Foundation). Finally, in the live program a thematically compelling work by fêted artist, Hana Ward, will be digitally incorporated as a story throughline for what will be an extraordinary evening of words + music + art.
Early Bird discounts** are available through this Sunday, October 5 for General Admission and Student/Senior Benefit tickets (incl. post-show dessert reception), as well as for limited-quantity VIP Benefit tickets (which, in addition to the post-show dessert reception, includes a pre-show reception/art showing and a listing in the Souvenir Program). For sponsorship opportunities click here or call/text (424) 248-9794.
This special benefit is being co-curated by Spicer and produced by MoSamp Productions, with select segments directed by Phylliss Bailey Brooks and special material for select segments written by WGA member, J.M. Morris, who is also co-curator with Spicer. Executive producing are Spicer and John Sampson, along with Brooks and Morris.