First Thursday Concert Series

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Ticket Price: Non-Members $12

Members $10/Early Bird

Snap with Bobby Floyd

Thursday September 6, 2007   7PM-9PM

Bobby Floyd will keep your fingers snapping and your feet tapping with his Hammond B3 Organ, come and enjoy this soul stirring musician, our own home grown international star!  

Ticket Price: NON-MEMBERS $12 – MEMBERS - $10 – EARLY BIRD $8

Sizzle with Jeanette Williams & Mary McClendon

Thursday October 4, 2007        7PM-9PM

 Ah-h-h…yes, you’ll need a fan when Jeanette Williams and Mary McClendon turn up the heat with their sultry renditions of favorite tunes from the past! This sizzling duo will be backed by an equally steamy group of musicians!

Ticket Price: NON-MEMBERS $12 – MEMBERS - $10 – EARLY BIRD $8

Swing with Afro Rican Ensemble  

First Thursday Concert Series:   

Thursday November 1, 2007      7PM-9PM

Everyone can use a little swing in their life and the Afro Rican Ensemble will take you there with Afro Caribbean soulful beats! Come dance and swing the night away!

Ticket Price: NON-MEMBERS $12 – MEMBERS - $10 – EARLY BIRD $8

Snap! Sizzle and Swing with Soul 

Thursday December 6, 2007                   7PM-9PM

Spend a night of reverie with music that moves your soul and music that will have you singing along with every song played.  Stroll down memory lane to the Cadillac Club, Club Jamaica, Pink Pussycat Lounge, Café’ Society, Skurdey’s and stop by Larry’s East.  Laugh with old friends, meet new acquaintances and bring music from your collection to play at this cabaret style event. Come and reminisce with DJ Craig “Superfly” McMullen best known for his work on Curtis Mayfield’s Super Fly album.  Join us at this cabaret style event which guarantees a good time!

Tickets: Non-Members $12; Members $10; Early Bird $8

Opening Reception:
September 13, 2007 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Free to public

Echoes of Our Ancestors is a thought provoking exhibition that celebrates the rich, diverse and artistic legacy of past and present African American artists. The artistic excellence of the work reflects a passion and sensibility greatly inspired and influenced by the artists’ mentors, distinguished art educators and scholars. Featured in the exhibition will be works by artists such as Robert Stull, David McDonald, Pheoris West, Paul Goodnight, Margaret Burroughs, Tyrone Jetter, Carl Owens, Napoleon Jones-Henderson and Tom Feelings, P.H Polk, James Van der Zee, Chester Higgins, Gordon Parks and John Biggers. Featured works include paintings, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics and printmaking. The art produced is of extraordinary beauty, meaning and power that vibrates and leaves an enduring cultural legacy.

The 2007 legends honored include Ruby Dee, legendary Cleveland native, a phenomenal actress and two-time Emmy-award winner; Mari Evans, poet, dramatist, short fiction writer, children's writer, editor, essayist, and lecturer; Nikki Giovanni, world-renowned poet, writer, activist, and educator; Odetta, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Arts Award, is considered the Queen of American folk music; Sonia Sanchez, poet, playwright, and cultural icon; and, Val Gray Ward, internationally-known singer, poet, actress, historical chronicler, producer and theater personality.

Each has a long history of actively participating as warrior women for human rights, social justice and cultural democracy thus they are perfect recipients for The King Arts Complex’s Legends & Legacies Award. Their contributions in writing, poetry, film, folk music, acting is unparalleled. They have consistently and aggressively served as guardians of Black culture and they have served as role models for us to be the change we hope to see.

On Thursday, October 11, 2007, the program and ceremony will include Lunch with the Legends and conversation among the six recipients; and, an evening, black tie ceremony, at which time each will be honored and presented with a special award and honorarium.

The evening program will be a kaleidoscope of music, poetry, dance, and dramatic readings focused on the significant legacy created by the phenomenal legends being honored along with the formal presentation of their award created by award winning, national artist, Steve Hazard.