University of Memphis students will soon have an opportunity toexperience African-American art, music and film in recognition ofthe city's Africa in April celebration.
The U of M African- American Arts Festival, sponsored by thedepartment of African and African-American Studies, precedes theMemphis Arts Council's 18th annual Africa in April CulturalAwareness Festival, this year honoring the Republic of Kenya.
The U of M festival will explore the influence ofAfrican-American culture on the arts through a series of specialguest lectures and discussions.
Events will begin Tuesday, April 13, with a lecture on thetransformation of gospel music into popular song by Portia K.Maultsby, professor of ethnomusicology at Indiana University.
"Virtually all popular folk music is influenced byAfrican-American culture," said David Evans, U of M ethnomusicologyprofessor. "We think of popular trends coming from the top down,but this one has come from the bottom up. Gospel has had a hugeinfluence on popular music since the 1950s."
A performance by The U of M Gospel Choir will follow thelecture.
On Wednesday, April 14, a panel of Southern writers and artistswill discuss various artistic interpretations of theAfrican-American experience.
"Artists will describe how growing up in the Mississippi Deltainfluenced their art and will give students advice on how to becomebetter artists and musicians," said Verner D. Mitchell, assistantprofessor of English and panel chair.
Panelists include writer and blues singer Arthur R. Flowers,artist Philip Dotson and illustrator Higgins Bond. A lecture ondouble meanings in African-American art by Virginia CommonwealthUniversity professor Babatunde Lawal will be held that evening.
A special presentation of Black Film, White Money by RutgersUniversity professor Jesse Rhines will be shown in the Michael D.Rose Theater Thursday, April 15. The film documents theAfrican-American entry into and influence on the feature filmindustry from 1869 to 1994.
The festival will end with an African-American film marathonApril 16 and April 17, which will feature up to 19 African-Americanfilms, including Glory, Shaft, Do the Right Thing, and AntwoneFisher, with an overview by U of M art history professor EarnestineJenkins.
All festival events are free and open to the public.
