NASHVILLE, TN — African-American culture can be regarded as both part of, and distinct from American culture. From the days of the slave trade, Africans and African-Americans have contributed by means of literature, art, agricultural skills, foods, music, and language to American culture.
The city of Nashville is no exception, having long been a place where African-Americans have added to the culture of both Tennessee and the entire nation.
Cultural Curator Leatrice Ellzy has dedicated her life to examining the shifting patterns she sees in art and culture and how it relates to everyday lives and communities. Now she is spearheading Culture Fest, a four-month multidisciplinary arts experience that will allow audiences to examine the culture of the African Diaspora and it’s contribution to city of Nashville and the world.
In September 2012 Ellzy was introduced to Rosetta Miller Perry, publisher of The Tennessee Tribune, by Nashville based visual artist, Michael McBride. It was at this meeting that Mrs. Perry expressed her desire for Nashville to have n event similar to the Atlanta-based National Black Arts Festival.
No stranger to Nashville, the Tennessee State University graduate was honored to support Mrs. Perry’s dream. “Dreamers and Dream Weavers are very important in society as they provide us with the tools to truly see ourselves differently,” Ellzy explained. “I was equally excited about the possibilities and the worlds that would open up for people in this community.”
The idea of an event that focused on African-American culture has been one that Mrs. Perry has been waiting to bring to Middle Tennessee for some time. “As founder of Culture Fest, I have waited 23 years for this important opportunity for Nashville, the timing was not right prior to this time for many reasons,” Mrs. Perry said. “Mayor Karl Dean, under his aggressive leadership has shown internationally that Nashville is the cultural city to visit, as we emerge on social networks which engages all of our diverse citizens.”
As the spotlight on Nashville increases nationally, events like Cultural Fest can help put an historic outlook on African-American culture.
For example, even before the abolition of slavery, African-Americans were known for their cultural ingenuity. Although in many cases they were literally forced to adopt and mimic the traditions of their slave masters, enslaved African-American would still practice their beliefs.
Today African-American culture can be seen through many different forms of self-expression. “I would say that artistically our music, theater, dance, visual arts, literature and films envelop our culture,” said Ellzy. “But so does the way your grandmother cooks greens or how Auntie quilts and how Pops wears his hat and how no one can dance like him.”
It is this examination of what encompasses African-American culture that continues to drive the work of Ellzy. As the founder of the cultural curating firm Beatrix Moss, she has continued to produce and administer programs that allow people to learn about the impact of African-Americans and Black people throughout the world.
Mrs. Perry is excited to be working with Ellzy, whose understanding of how to share culture on a large-scale impressed her from their initial meeting. “Leatrice Ellzy comes to Culture Fest with a wealth of experience from the Black Arts Festival.” She continued, “I was impressed with her many capabilities but especially her approach to the arts as education, providing children and adults with opportunities to gain cultural competency and artistic knowledge whether in a theater, gallery or classroom.”
Mrs. Perry and Ellzy have worked together to create The Artspiration Group, the non-profit organization that presents Culture Fest. The Board of Directors includes business leaders and artists. Individuals who recognize Nashville’s diversity and the importance of building bridges between communities were selected to launch the Culture Fest effort.
Board Chair, Francis Guess feels this will be an event that everyone will be able to enjoy. “This will be a celebration in which all of Nashvillians will be able to participate,” said Guess. “Culture Fest is a great event for Nashville.” Cathy Bender, Vice Chair said,” “The arts have a crucial impact on Nashville’s economy and is an important catalyst for learning, discovery, and achievement in our city.”
Along with Guess and Bender, the Artspiration Group Board of Directors includes, Yvette Boyd, Tony Holt, Roderick Jemison, Joe Johnson, Dr. Bobby Jones, Delores Lewis, Richard Manson, Esq., Michael McBride, Bobby Poole and Founder, Rosetta Miller Perry.
Mrs. Perry also expressed her desire for Nashville to be seen as a city of many cultures. “I am proud of the cultural landscape of Nashville, and delighted that the Board of Directors has embraced Culture Fest so enthusiastically. Especially, the idea of contextualizing culture through artistic presentation and education in a city with so many educational institutions.”
The Board sees the rise in Nashville’s national presence as a tourist destination as an asset for the success of Culture Fest. “Nashville is known worldwide for its friendliness, cool atmosphere, restaurants, great lodging and shopping. Condé Nast Traveler listed Nashville as a ‘must-visit’ and the New York Times said we are the ‘It City’,” explained Mrs. Perry.
Leatrice Ellzy is ready to help Nashvillians examine and explore what the people of African Diaspora have given to the entire world. “Culture Fest will focus on local, national and international culture. Nashville has a rich culture that we will highlight but we can’t stop there. It is important to expose the community to the fullness of the African Diaspora so they are able to see themselves within a global context as opposed to the narrowness of a community.”
To receive updates on Culture Fest and to learn about upcoming dates please follow @CultureFestNash on Twitter.com or visit the website at www.culturefest.net, and inf@CultureFestNash.net. The office is located in The Tennessee Tribune Bldg., 1501 Jefferson Street, Nashville. Telephone: 615-349-9651.