Strathmore will honor the centenary of James Baldwin, the influential American writer and civil rights activist, with a series of events beginning in August. The two-month program concludes on Oct. 5 with a concert by Grammy-winning artist Meshell Ndegeocello at The Music Center in North Bethesda.
The events kicked off on Aug. 2, Baldwin’s birthday, with a screening of “James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket” at AFI Silver, followed by a discussion with author Dr. Keith Clark and director Karen Thorsen.
“Baldwin’s words and ideas have proven to be prophetic and continue to resonate deeply with the challenges of our current time,” said Lauren Campbell, Strathmore’s vice president of education and community engagement.
Upcoming events are pay what you can with a recommended price of $10:
- August 15: Creative writing workshop with Derrick Weston Brown at The Music Center at Strathmore and on Zoom. Limited in-person spots are available.
- September 7: Performances of Baldwin’s dramatic works by Howard University’s Department of Theatre Arts students and Patrick Washington’s Youth Poets of DIALECT of Prince George’s County at The Mansion at Strathmore.
- September 26: Lecture titled “James Baldwin at the Crossroads” with literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller at Eaton House in D.C.
The series concludes with Ndegeocello performing “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin” at The Music Center. Inspired by Baldwin’s essays in “The Fire Next Time,” which influenced Ndegeocello during her teenage years as a gay African American in the 1980s, the concert blends elements of a church service, celebration, testimonial, and call to action. The artist released this unique musical experience as an album on Aug. 2.
Before the concert, author and music journalist Marcus J. Miller will discuss Ndegeocello’s career and recent work, including her tribute album to Sun Ra and her musical homage to Baldwin.
Through this series, Strathmore aims to highlight the complex issues Baldwin addressed, including race, gender, politics, and society.
“We want people to leave with a sense of the immediacy and vitality of Baldwin’s ideas today,” Campbell said.
For more information check out the Strathmore website.
