New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study will host “Living in America: Culture. History. Politics”-a series of Black History Month events-February 4-25, 1 Washington Place (at Broadway). Admission is free to all events, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-NYU guests must show a valid photo I.D.
MEDIA ADVISORY
New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study will host “Living in America: Culture. History. Politics”-a series of Black History Month events-February 4-25, 1 Washington Place (at Broadway). Admission is free to all events, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-NYU guests must show a valid photo I.D.
For more information, e-mail: gallatin.studentaffairs@nyu.edu or call 212.998.7375. Subway lines: R, W (8th Street); 6 (Astor Place).
“The Music’s in Me”
Performance
Thursday, February 4 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. The Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre for the Performing Arts 1 Washington Place, Main Floor
From plantation era “call and response” to the birth of hip hop in the South Bronx, New York-based musical group, the Rhythm Four, will take us on a journey that tells an insightful, inspirational, and entertaining story of African American history in song.
“Having a Dizzy[ing] Effect: Jazz, Hip Hop, and Improvising Americanness” A Lunch-Time Discussion
Tuesday, February 9 12:30 p.m.-1:50 p.m. 1 Washington Place, Room 527
Jazz and hip hop are played, studied and taught across the globe, crossing political, social and racial barriers. What is the impact of jazz and hip hop on U.S., Caribbean and Latin American cultures? The session will be moderated by Gallatin Professor Millery Polyné.
“Changing America: Race. Politics. War.” Panel Discussion
Thursday, February 11 6:30pm-8:00 p.m. The Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre for the Performing Arts 1 Washington Place, Main Floor
The election of Barack Obama is viewed by some as the long-awaited achievement of the Civil Rights Movement, an era when blacks and their white allies engaged in marches, civil disobedience, and other strategies to end discrimination and segregation. Others question how much change Obama’s presidency represents. Join us for what promises to be a captivating conversation. Participants include: Herb Boyd, managing editor of The Black World Today; Kimberly DaCosta, assistant dean of students and an Associate Professor at the Gallatin School; and Nikhil Pal Singh, an associate professor at NYU’s Department of Social and Cultural Analysis and editor of Climbin’ Jacob’s Ladder, a collection of the black freedom movement writings of Jack O’Dell, a director of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The session will be moderated by Gallatin Professors George Shulman and Justin Lorts.
“Sportin’ Life” A Staged Reading
Monday, February 22 7:00 p.m. The Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre for the Performing Arts 1 Washington Place, Main Floor
Written by Gallatin Professor Michael Dinwiddie and directed by Gallatin alumnus and Broadway legend André De Shields, “Sportin’ Life” examines the life of John Williams “Bubbles” Sublett, who mesmerized audiences with his dazzling piano pyrotechnics and tap dancing virtuosity throughout the 20th century.
“Release My Spirit: African Influence on Dance” Talk and Performance
Thursday, February 25 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. The Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre for the Performing Arts 1 Washington Place, Main Floor
On the plantation, the enslaved entertained and worshipped with songs and dances that originated in Africa. Despite restrictions imposed upon them, they created social dances that became popular across the United States. “Release My Spirit: African Influence on Dance” will include a talk and live dance performances that will educate and entertain. The evening’s host is Ruth Sistaire, who has taught dance privately and in the New York City public school system for nearly 20 years.