Tag Archives: Cincinnati Arts Association

March 22, 2021 · 11:40 am

CANDID CONVERSATION: Black Violin | Tues., April 6 via Zoom

CAA_Candid Conversations Black ViolinCANDID CONVERSATION: BLACK VIOLIN
April 6, 2021

CINCINNATI, OH – The second in a series of five Candid Conversations presented by the Cincinnati Arts Association will feature Grammy-nominated Black Violin artists Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste, who are no strangers to Cincinnati, having played to sold-out houses for school programs and the general public at Music Hall in 2019 and the Aronoff Center in 2018. On Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 7:30 PM via a live Zoom event, they will openly dialogue with local BIPOC artists about challenging stereotypes and status quo conventions, and how pathways to equity in the arts will require commitment and unwavering dedication by everyone involved in the process.

NOTE: This event does not include a performance by Black Violin.

Access to the online event may be purchased for $6.00 at www.CincinnatiArts.org or (513) 621-2787 [ARTS].  Purchasers will receive a registration link to the event after their purchase.

Candid Conversations is a five-event series designed to start a dialogue concerning the effects of racism on artists of color and on arts communities as a whole, as well as the journey toward change. Join national and local artists in intriguing discussions about the impact of their work on social justice, community wellbeing, and equity.

The Candid Conversation is moderated by  Marvin Hawkins – President & CEO, Hum Arts Collective; Grand Monarch Enterprises; Member, Cincinnati Arts Association’s Board of Trustees and Building Diverse Audiences Advisory Committee (BDAAC).

The local artists, arts educators, and arts administrators joining the Candid Conversation with Black Violin include:

  • Naimah Bilal — Chief Development Officer, Children’s Literacy Initiative; Host of Urban Consulate Cincinnati
  • Damian Hoskins – General Manager, Elementz
  • Kick Lee –  Founder, Cincinnati Music Accelerator; Music Producer, Composer, Sound Designer, and Instrumentalist
  • Bernardo G. Lopez – Director, My Cincinnati
  • Tracy Wilson – Director of Community Relations and Education, Cincinnati Opera 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK VIOLIN, INCLUDING VIDEOS:  https://blackviolin.net/ 

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Ameritas, ArtsWave, Fifth Third Bank, Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers, Procter & Gamble Fund, St. Gregory Group, TriHealth 

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.8 million students. For more information, visit www.CincinnatiArts.org.

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March 8, 2021 · 1:53 pm

LENA: A MOMENT WITH A LADY | Streaming March 17-31 + Candid Conversation | Online March 24

CAA_A Moment with a Lady logoLENA: A MOMENT WITH A LADY
Streaming March 17-31
+
Candid Conversation
March 24

CINCINNATI, OH – Acclaimed Broadway actress, Syndee Winters, portrays legendary Hollywood star, Lena Horne, in a virtual one-woman show, streaming March 17-31. In addition, Winters will be joined by local artists on Wednesday, March 24 at 7:30 PM for an intriguing and informative live, online Candid Conversation about the impact of their work on social justice, community wellbeing, and equity; the effects of racism on artists of color and arts communities as a whole; and the ongoing journey toward change.

These virtual events may be purchased separately at $6.00 each, or in combination for $10.00 at www.CincinnatiArts.org or (513) 621-2787 [ARTS].  Purchasers will receive links to the event after their purchase.

Keeping the legacy of African Americans in history alive, Lena: A Moment with a Lady transports us back in time to relish and rediscover the life of the one-and-only Lena Horne. Played by Broadway-star Syndee Winters, Lena uses music and shares stories to relay the most pivotal, personal, and professional moments of her life. On a mission to share her truth, she unexpectedly opens the emotional crevices that have eluded her for years.

Recognized as one of the most influential African-American pioneers in entertainment, Ms. Horne shattered the color barrier in Hollywood, was deeply involved with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and collaborated with some of the greatest musical artists of the 20th century.

Like the American icon she portrays, Syndee Winters was born in New York. A graduate and Distinguished Alumni of Five Towns College, her Broadway credits include Hamilton: An American Musical (The Schuyler Sisters), Pippin (Leading Player u/s), Motown the Musical (Mary Wells), and The Lion King (Nala), for which she received a Denver Center Ovation Award nomination.

When asked, “Why Lena? Why now?”, Winters replied passionately: “Why NOT Lena? She was one of the first pop stars of all-time. She was featured in many films and records, and graced many stages. She paved the way for artists of color to follow in her footsteps. Ms. Horne was also an activist for the progression of people of color in our nation, primarily in the entertainment industry. I want my generation and generations to come to know and remember this passionate woman and her contribution to American life.”

CANDID CONVERSATION:  Wednesday, March 24, 7:30 PM

Join national and local artists in intriguing discussions about the impact of their work on social justice, community wellbeing, and equity. Presented by the Cincinnati Arts Association, Candid Conversations is an opportunity to start a dialogue concerning the effects of racism on artists of color and arts communities as a whole, as well as the journey toward change.

The first in a series of five Candid Conversations will feature the star of Lena: A Moment with a Lady, Syndee Winters, who will be joined by local artists, for a special online discussion about passing along information about individual legends of change to new generations; the value and importance of teaching a broad, truthful history; and what the participating artists believe needs to change to increase the awareness of the contributions of artists of color.

The local artists, arts educators, and arts administrators joining the Candid Conversation with Syndee Winters include:

  • Lauren Elyse – Singer, Songwriter
  • Laura Gentry – Founder, LAG Productions; LLC & President, Jazz Alive, Inc.
  • Jason Alexander Holmes – Artistic Director, Cincinnati Boys Choir
  • Napoleon Maddox – award-winning Composer, Writer, Vocalist, and Hip-Hop Performance Artist
  • Kathy Wade – Emmy-nominated, award-winning international Jazz Entertainer; Producer; CEO, Learning Through Art

VIDEO LINKS 

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS       
Ameritas, ArtsWave, Fifth Third Bank,
Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers, Procter & Gamble Fund, St. Gregory Group 

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.8 million students. For more information, visit www.CincinnatiArts.org.

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November 18, 2020 · 10:36 am

Aronoff Center Name-A-Seat Opportunity – Take a Seat in History

CAA_Name a Seat logoBe a permanent part of the Aronoff Center!

(Cincinnati, OH) – As part of the Aronoff Center’s 25th Anniversary, the Cincinnati Arts Association invites friends and fans to support the popular arts destination with a Name-A-Seat donation, which allows them to add a name to a beautiful brass plaque on the arm of a select Procter & Gamble Hall seat. Or they may choose to celebrate a family member, honor an arts lover, or give a unique gift to the person who has everything with a seat donation that leaves a legacy. This is a rare opportunity to take a seat in history!

A seat can be named for:

  • An individual, couple, or family
  • Children, grandchildren, or parents
  • The memory of a loved one
  • A friend or colleague
  • A beloved pet
  • A business or organization
  • And more

DONATION AMOUNT PER SEAT PLAQUE

  • $1,000 – Front Orchestra
  • $750 – Rear Orchestra
  • $500 – Loge

The Name-A-Seat opportunity will run through the Aronoff Center’s 25th Anniversary season. The deadline for making a donation and choosing seats is August 31, 2021. The campaign is a naming opportunity only and does not imply ownership of the seat or reserve the use of the seat for any performances. However, donors may inquire about the availability of their named seat location when purchasing a ticket to any event at the Procter & Gamble Hall.

Name-A-Seat donations will not only support the Cincinnati Arts Association’s ongoing stewardship of the Aronoff Center, but also will help us raise the curtain on another 25 years (and more) of world-class events. It addition, gifts will help us sustain our transformative arts education programs, impactful Arts-in-Healing Initiative, and compelling exhibitions by local and regional artists at the Aronoff’s Weston Art Gallery.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant financial impact on Cincinnati Arts Association as a not-for-profit arts organization, with more than 300 events cancelled or rescheduled at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall,” said Steve Loftin, President, Cincinnati Arts Association. “The Name-A-Seat opportunity is a wonderful way to give a gift to the Aronoff during its 25th Anniversary. The generosity of our audiences, donors, and sponsors has never been more important than now, and we are extremely grateful for their ongoing interest and support.”

For more information and to make a Name-A-Seat donation, CLICK HERE.

CAA SEASON SPONSORS 

AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner), CINCINNATI-NORTHERN KENTUCKY HONDA DEALERS, LOCAL12 WKRC-TV, THE P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, TRIHEALTH

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.7 million students. For more information, visit www.CincinnatiArts.org.

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October 29, 2020 · 11:46 am

VIRTUAL DADA RAFIKI: CONVERSATIONS | New Date – Friday, November 20

CAA_Virtual Dada Rafiki

Presented by Annie Ruth, in collaboration with
the Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati Opera, and the Power of Her

Friday, November 20 | 7:00 PM
Streaming FREE TO THE PUBLIC on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram 

CINCINNATI, OH – The virtual Dada Rafiki: Conversations on Friday, November 20, 2020 at 7:00 PM will be live streamed FREE TO THE PUBLIC on the Dada Rafiki Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram platforms. The long-running, local annual event is a multi-sensory artistic experience of dance, music, poetry, and song, which shares the empowering stories of inspirational women who positively impact the community.

The event will be hosted by WLWT-TV5 news anchor Courtis Fuller and internationally acclaimed artist/poet Annie Ruth. Special guest performers include the Legendary Clark Sisters, singer/songwriter Sistah LaLa, mother and son William Menefield and Yah’El Abiyah Yisra’el, Cincinnati Opera artist Victoria Okafor, and CA2 Dance Crew.

Dada Rafiki, pronounced (DAH-dah RAH-fee-kee), means sister friend in the Kiswahili language of Eastern Africa. Through this unique multicultural celebration, Annie Ruth honors women from all walks of life and promotes a message of universal sisterhood. This year’s theme is “Conversations,” which promotes a universal message of hope, health, and healing for the world. The event will include programming that encourages interracial, multi-generational, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Dada Rafiki Honorees

  1. Pastor Dr. Robert L. Harris, Baba of Honor
  2. Elissa Lee Yancey
  3. Sheila Holmes Howard
  4. Anne Cushing-Reid
  5. Tracey A. DuEst
  6. Cammie Combs-Montgomery
  7. Andrea Smythe Taylor
  8. Rev. Regina Johnson Phillips
  9. Bernadette Watson
  10. Delores Hargrove-Young
  11. Quiera Levy-Smith
  12. Geneva Watkins Miller

Spotlight Sister Organizations

  1. New Prospect Baptist Church Culinary Kitchen Ministry
  2. National Council of Negro Women – Cincinnati Chapter
  3. Cincinnati Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs
  4. Queens Village – Cradle Cincinnati
  5. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  6. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  7. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
  8. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
  9. Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.

ABOUT THE CREATOR OF DADA RAFIKI
Annie Ruth is an internationally respected artist and arts educator whose work has positively influenced audiences in Europe, Africa, and throughout the United States for more than forty years. She integrates the arts into other areas and uses innovative strategies to make the arts experience both rewarding and relevant. Annie Ruth earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from National University in San Diego, California and studied graphic design at the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). She is a trailblazer who has received critical acclaim for her work in the community. She fuses her artistic talents with arts education and collaborates with major cultural institutions and museums to bring art directly to communities throughout the United States and abroad.

For more information about Annie Ruth, the history of Dada Rafiki, and how to access the virtual event, visit www.dadarafiki.net  and www.annieruth.com.

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September 11, 2020 · 9:45 am

John Lewis: Good Trouble | Nationwide Watch Event and Virtual Panel Discussion

CAA_John Lewis Good Trouble logoAudiences Across the Country
Urged to Get into Good Trouble

Nationwide watch of documentary about John Lewis during September, plus virtual conversation with national civic leaders on September 21 at 7:00 PM

(Cincinnati, OH)  Representative John Lewis of Georgia — Freedom Rider and Congressman, Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, and conscience of the nation —  served the cause of social justice for decades, both as an elected representative and as a groundbreaking activist whose fervent belief in getting into “good trouble, necessary trouble” for the cause of racial equality changed our country.

The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) invites audiences to join in a nationwide watch, in collaboration with more than sixty of the nation’s arts and cultural institutions, of the riveting new documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble, which looks at the impact of Lewis’ life and work. CAA audiences will be able to rent the film directly from Magnolia Pictures, then take part in a live virtual conversation about John Lewis’ remarkable legacy. 

JOHN LEWIS DOCUMENTARY
The film celebrates Lewis’ sixty-plus years of activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform, and immigration through rare archival footage and exclusive interviews with the late Congressman.

This special rental of the documentary includes two extra features: an interview Congressman Lewis gave to Oprah Winfrey shortly before his death earlier this year, as well as a one-hour panel, recorded in July, with the documentary’s director, Dawn Porter, and two of Lewis’ fellow original Freedom Riders, Dr. Bernard Lafayette and Dr. Rip Patton.

The film’s $12.00 rental fee includes a $5.00 donation to the Cincinnati Arts Association. 

VIRTUAL PANEL DISCUSSON
After screening the film, audiences are invited to join a live, interactive online panel discussion about Lewis’ history and impact on the social justice struggles of today. Panelists include Dawn Porter, the film’s director; Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of Newark, NJ; Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Professor of History, Race and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and Director of the Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project; and Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, who worked extensively with Lewis to establish the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. The free virtual conversation takes place at 7:00 PM EST on Monday, September 21 on Zoom.

To rent the movie and register for the panel discussion, visit the Cincinnati Arts Association website at www.CincinnatiArts.org/John-Lewis.  

The online conversation and coordinated effort amongst the country’s performing arts centers is produced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) of Newark, NJ.

This event is part of NJPAC’s ongoing initiatives designed to offer both a greater understanding of current racial disparities and a forum for learning about the actions all citizens can take to advance the cause of equality.

“Everyone at NJPAC stands in solidarity with those fighting against structural racism, societal inequity, and police brutality, and for civil rights, multiculturalism and authentic inclusion. Changing the world requires the efforts of everyone. Now, more than ever, each of us has an indispensable part to play,” says John Schreiber, NJPAC’s President and CEO. For more information, please visit NJPAC’s website at NJPAC.org.

“We are very pleased to join NJPAC and performing arts centers across the country in offering this important documentary and panel discussion to our audiences,” said Steve Loftin, President, Cincinnati Arts Association. “Throughout history, the arts and culture have reflected and supported social change and civil rights, and it is our hope that this opportunity will add to the ongoing national and local conversation about equity, inclusion, and racial justice.”

CAA SEASON SPONSORS:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner), CINCINNATI-NORTHERN KENTUCKY HONDA DEALERS, FURNITURE FAIR, LOCAL12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

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