NASHVILLE, TN — This Wednesday Culture Fest Nashville 2014 kicks off with the Legendary Third World taking the stage at the Nashville Farmers’ Market, delivering one of the best performances you will see this year. The countdown to Culture Fest starts NOW! Organizers promise a unique experience. There are events for adults, children and teens. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at culturefest.net or at the Tennessee Tribune Building at 1501 Jefferson St. in Nashville. Free programs require online registration.
Here’s a run down of the schedule:
Wednesday, August 27
Global Spotlight: South of Here – A Celebration of Caribbean Culture, Nashville Farmers’ Market, 11 AM – 2 PM, Free to the public. Did you know the Caribbean is comprised of over 7,000 small islands and 27 unique countries with their own history, culture and customs? Join us for South of Here and explore the rich culture of the Caribbean through food, rum, traditional island tales, music and more!
Music: Third World in Concert, Nashville Farmers’ Market, 7:00 PM, Tickets: $25. South of Here culminates in a musical performance by reggae legends, Third World. After more than 40 years of smash hit songs, sold-out tours and inspirational messages, Third World remains committed to the excellence of reggae music and spreading the message of Peace, Love, & Unity.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Culture Fest Conversations: Black Music and Blues People – Exploring Contemporary Black Music, Tennessee State University Performing Arts Center, 6 PM, Free to the public. What values and customs are being spread through Black music in the 21st century? Can the legacy of the blues still be found in Black music or has the music finally assimilated? Where is Black music going? Join us for this pre-screening conversation.
Film: FunkJazz Kafe – Diary of a Decade, Tennessee State University Performing Arts Center, 7:30 PM, Tickets: $15 FunkJazz Kafe – Diary of a Decade delves into the fabric of soul music, it’s definitions, it’s pioneers, it’s offspring, it’s movements, the challenges with the “mainstream” industry. Featuring Cornel West, Erykah Badu, Joi Gilliam, Cee Lo Green, Talib Kweli, Dick Gregory, Andre 3000 and many others. Directed by Jason Orr. Narrated by Chuck D.
Friday, August 29, 2014
#FERGUSON – Artists Respond, 7:30 PM, Venue TBD, Note: this program has just been added so check the website for venue location. The shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO and its aftermath has captured the attention of the world and focused a spot- light on the issues of law enforcement and communities of color. Artists have historically responded to turmoil with context and perspective. Culture Fest Nashville has invited artists from the local Community and guest artists to provide a creative response to #Ferguson.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Culture In The Community engages Nashville residents in a deeper cultural experience. Tap into your inner thespian, take some dance classes, be moved in a poetry workshop and learn about African American Art or the nuances of jazz. Most classes and workshops are free. Registration is required.
50-Cent Tabernacle, Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium, Studio C Classes: 10 AM – Hip Hop, 11 AM – Swing, 1 PM – Salsa, 2 PM – African Dance The 50-Cent Tabernacle is a series of open, mixed-level dance classes with some of Nashville’s masters of the craft. For 50 cents, participants receive an all-day pass, which is good for up to four different 50-minute classes. Classes include African Dance, Swing, Hip Hop and Salsa.
Dream Weaving 101 – The Secret Formula(s), The Appleton Room at Fisk University, 10 AM – 12 PM. Award-winning playwright, film/stage actor, and producer/director jeff obafemi carr takes attendees into the mind of the creative artist covering a variety of disciplines. Participants will learn the foundational elements of how to program their thought process and translate this into success in creating compelling stories, characters, and the physical infrastructure necessary to be successful in film and theatre.
Jazz Music Workshop, The Appleton Room at Fisk University, 1 PM – 3 PM The Jazz Music Workshop is a two-hour exploration of jazz for novices and casual listeners. Participants will be introduced to the origins of jazz, the Masters, the Young Lions and contemporary musicians who maintain the tradition but are taking the music in new directions.
Appreciating African American Visual Art, Aaron Douglas Gallery at Fisk University, 1 PM-3 PM In this workshop, facilitated by Fisk University’s Dr. Vic- tor Simmons, participants will review the works of the masters and mid-career artists as well as be introduced to younger artists who are making bold statements in more contemporary forms.
Visual Art For Children, Michael McBride’s Studio, 427 Chestnut Street, 10- 11:30 AM (Session 1) & 1-2:30 PM (Session 2) Join us for Visual Art for Children where we will explore the work of Master artist Romare Bearden. This experience is for children ages 10 years old and up. Facilitated by Lee and Barbara Hodges. Poetry Workshop, Nashville Public Library, 10 AM – 11:30 PM Our favorite Detroit Butterfly, jessica care moore wraps her weeklong residency in Nashville by conducting a poetry workshop for poets, would be poets and lovers of poetry.
Children’s Educational Programming: The Coretta Scott King Book Awards Film and Literary Experience, Nashville Public Library – Downtown, 10 AM – 3 PM, Free, Registration is required. The Coretta Scott King Awards Film and Literary Experience provides an opportunity for children to explore creative storytelling through written word, spoken word, illustration and film. For elementary school children, the experience consists activities themed to the books, interactive storytelling with our resident storyteller Mama Koku and a film series. High School and Junior High School students have the opportunity to take a writing workshop with award-winning author Sharon Draper or an illustrator’s workshop with award winning illustrator R. Gregory Christie. Every- one will receive a book by Sharon Draper book to add to or begin his or her library. Free. Registration is required.
Visual Arts: Fahamu Pecou – Word. Sound. Power. An Exhibition and Art- ist Talk, The Arts Company, 4:30 PM, Free. Fahamu Pecou is an artist/scholar who comments on contemporary culture and hip-hop. His work addresses concerns around representations of black masculinity in popular culture and how these images come to define black men across generations and geographical boundaries. The exhibition runs from August 22 through September 6.
Music: Russell Gunn Plays Miles, Fisk University Memorial Chapel, 8 PM, $25. Some believe it bold and off-putting for a trumpeter to cover the repertoire of the legendary Miles Davis. Grammy Award nominated jazz trumpeter Russell Gunn has built a career on being bold and to some off-putting, so his take on the music of Miles Davis comes as no surprise. Join he and his band Elektrik Butterfly as they cover Miles across the decades. From Kind of Blue to Tutu, Gunn and his combo provide a must experience concert for jazz heads and students of great music.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Music: Rewind BarBQ Festival (Partner Program with Culture Fest Nashville 2014), Riverfront Park, 4 PM, $25 Prepare to enjoy some of the tastiest BBQ in the South while relaxing in the beautiful Tennessee sunlight and listening to great music by old school R&B performers Ready For The World, Alexander O’Neal, Cherelle, Force MD’s, Soul 4 Real, Michel’le and Chubb Rock. Rain or Shine.