A Source for Durham’s African-American Heritage

Durham has a long and proud African-American history, from the African Americans living and working here today to the leaders of Hayti and Black Wall Street, as well as many, many more. The Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) pays homage to that legacy with its African-American Heritage Guide. An updated version of the guide was recently release, along with an online portal with additional content.

The guide itself provides locals and visitors alike with maps and descriptions of historic sites, relevant exhibits, and more so interested parties can learn more about the contributions Durham’s African Americans made to the city, state, and country. The guide includes Pauli Murray’s childhood home, the Hayti Heritage Center, the site of important sit-ins, and more.

The online portal includes additional content, including more in-depth articles about Carolina Theatre’s civil rights exhibit and the role Historic Stagville has played in helping some African-American families shed light on their past. Additional content will be added throughout the year to reflect upcoming events.

Visit durhamblackhistory.com to view the portal. You can also browse the African-American Heritage Guide online.

Durham County Library Presents Civil Rights Talk at Hayti

As the saying goes, "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." Thanks to the efforts of the Durham County Library, Durham won't soon forget its past.

The Durham County Library will present, "A Personal and Historic Glance at Durham's Integration of Public Facilities" given by given by Durham native, historian and former NC Supreme Court Justice Willis Whichard. The talk will take place Saturday, May 18, at 3:00 pm at the Hayti Heritage Center. Whichard will speak about the Civil Rights protests and their aftermath in Durham.

This event will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the civil rights protests that began May 18, 1963, in Durham. These protests resulted in great strides in rights for Durham’s African Americans. Participants in the 1963 events who attend this program will be recognized. This event is sponsored by the Durham Library Foundation.

For more information about African American history in Durham, click here.

Trumpeter Tom Browne at Hayti Heritage Center

The smooth sounds of the trumpet will soon echo through St. Joseph's in Durham not once, but twice in one evening.

The Heritage Music Series will present trumpeter great Tom “Funkin’ for Jamaica” Browne! Friday, May 10 at 7pm and 9pm. Tickets are $15.

Throughout Browne’s career, he has hit the highs that many in the music industry only aim for. If his chords have yet to find a place in your heart then you must not be listening to Tom Browne.

At a young age, Browne attended the High School of Music and Art/Performing Arts in New York and studied under Murray Karpilovsky, principal trumpeter with the NBC Orchestra directed by Arturo Toscanini. While building a name for himself on the New York jazz scene, Browne honed his talents through the teachings of Jimmy Nottingham, Richard Williams, Woody Shaw and Freddie Hubbard. He played alongside Weldon Irvine and Sonny Fortune in his first ever pro level performance. Browne’s talent and charisma attracted support from many jazz greats.

Browne has had a number of hit releases including “Browne Sugar” (1979), “Love Approach” (1980), and “Magic” (1981). In 1980 and 1981 Browne’s hit “Funkin’ for Jamaica” landed #1 as the US Billboard R&B single and his “Thighs High” at #4.

During his career Browne has received many Billboard honors including Best Instrumentalist, Best Jazz Cross-Over, Best Jazz Artist-Trumpet and Best Jazz Solo Album. His CD “S’Up” was released in August 2010 and features Fred Wesley and the Groove Collection.

Tom Browne’s stellar career speaks for itself, and he remains one of the finest jazz trumpeters and performers in the industry.

For more information on events in Durham, visit the Durham Event Calendar.

Concert to Benefit First In Families of NC

Going to a concert in Durham is always a great experience, but attending a concert that helps people with disabilities is even better.

First In Families of North Carolina will host a benefit concert Sunday, April 7^th, 4pm at Historic St. Joseph’s Performance Hall (Former St. Joseph’s AME Church), located at 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC 27701. The ticket cost is $25 in advance and $35 day of event with all proceeds going to First In Families of NC.

The event will feature singer-songwriter, Jonathan Edwards. Four decades into a career of uncompromising musical integrity, Jonathan delivers songs of passion, insight, and humor, all rendered in that pure and powerful tenor which, like fine wine, has only grown sweeter with age. Jonathan Edwards is a vital and relevant artist in today’s folk and Americana scenes and measures his success by his enduring ability to attract and take care of his audience. His repertoire includes classics such as “Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboy,” “Sometimes,” “Everybody Knows Her,” and the 1971 hit song “Sunshine (Go Away Today).”  

Also performing will be Durham-based blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, JohnDee Holeman. Born in Hillsborough, NC, John Dee Holeman has toured both in the US and overseas, including performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall and abroad on behalf of the United States Information Agency’s Arts America program. More recently he has recorded on the Music Maker label, backed by well-known players such as Taj Mahal and Cool John Ferguson. In 2008 Zeke Hutchens produced John Dee’s most recent CD, “You Got To Lose, You Can’t Win All The Time.”   

FirstIn Families of North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to help people with disabilities and their families to believe in their dreams, achieve their goals, and give back to others. First In Families serves individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and/or Traumatic Brain Injuries and their families throughout North Carolina.  

For tickets and information contact First In Families of NC at 919.251.8368  or  www.FIFNC.org

For more information about events in Durham, visit the Durham Events Calendar.

The Bull Durham Blues Festival Returns to the Place Where it all got started

The Bull Durham Blues Festival is coming up soon, and local blogger Carl Kenney II shares his appreciation of this landmark festival.  For both those who have and have not attended, this piece offers a clear window on what the experience is like for one fan. 

"The Bull Durham Blues Festival returns to the place where it all got started" 

REV-Elution

Carl Kenney II

She’s Putting Something in My Food, is my favorite Bobby Blue Bland song. I used to rush to my car before 5:00 p.m. to hear Cy Young play it every Friday on WQOK.  I love the sound of Bland gurgling like poison has been placed in his food.

News of Bland coming to this year’s Bull Durham Blues Festival was enough to make me shout.  Bland and BB King are, in my opinion, the co-Kings of blues.  If you want to feel like your heart has been pulled out and stomped on by a woman who did you wrong, Bland is the man. Hand me some tissue.

This year’s festival is certain to rekindle memories of the old days before the event lost its home at the Durham Athletic Park.  It was the place to be in September.  Over the years, I have written about how the festival is a showcase of what makes Durham like no other place.  It’s a gathering of a diverse blend of folks.  You’re certain to run into the who’s who of Durham, and the simple Jane and Joe who came out to listen to some good music and dance.

The festival lost its appeal over the past few years due to being unable to find a venue that offered what the old ball park brings.  I loved the ball park because of how it reminded me of the movie that introduced me to Durham – Bull Durham.  There was something special about the old tobacco houses surrounding the park, and the bleachers that made you think about baseball, apple pie and the blues.

Although few sit in those bleachers, it was enough knowing they are there to remind you that we are in the Bull City.  Dang, it felt good walking on the grass, picking up some crawfish and something to soak it down while moving my hips to something that made me laugh and cry all at the same time.

 I’ll never forget listening to Clarence Carter while thinking, “whew, I gotta preach in the morning.”  I couldn’t stop moving when Trombone Shorty went back and forth between his trombone and trumpet. I did the Wang Dang Doodle with Co Co Taylor all night long, and thought of afros, bell bottom pants and platform shoes when Isaac Hayes talked about Shaft being a bad mother, shut your mouth.

Yes, the best of the Bull Durham Blues Festival has been at that ball park where the movie was made.  That site was lost when the city decided to remodel the park and enter into a contract with minor league baseball.  Since then it has been moved to the Durham Bulls Stadium where the new team plays, the Durham Performing Arts Center where people were glued to seats, and last year near central park.

Now it’s back home.  Just in time for the 25th anniversary.  The entire city should pack the place to say welcome home.  It takes place on Friday, September 7th and Saturday, September 8th.

Having the growling Blue Bland is enough for me, but this year’s lineup is way over the top.  On Friday, Marcia Ball will perform.  Ball received her 5th GRAMMY nomination in 2012 as blues artist of the year.  Also on Friday is Luck Peterson, who had an R&B hit at the age of six for his song 1-2-3-4.

On stage with Bland on Saturday is Otis Clay.  There’s Kansas City Blues, Memphis Blues, Mississippi Delta Blues and then there’s Otis Clay, the King of Chicago soul and blues.  What more can Durham ask for as a way to celebrate the return of the festival to the place where it all got started.

Hold my crawfish.  I’ll see you at the park on September 7-8.

Don’t be confused if you see me dance.

---------------------------------------
Purchase Tickets
By phone: (919) 683-1709, ext 21

In person: Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street, from 10am – 5pm on Tuesday – Friday and 10am – 3pm on Saturday

Advance tickets, $35

Day of event tickets, $45

For more information go to Hayti Heritage Foundation's website.

First Annual Bull City Spokenword Festival

Many festivals make their homes in Durham. Those celebrating modern dance, the blues, and documentary film
are just some of the offerings here. Now, Durham can add spokenword to the mix.

Spokenword is the art of performance poetry. It is where the poems written on the page are given life on stage. The art form has become a staple in communities across the country. Many venues are opening their doors for spokenword events. Poetry slam in growing in support and reach. In Durham, there is a vibrant spokenword community that reflects the strength of the scene across North Carolina. This festival celebrates the artform and showcases the talent of today's spokenword artists.

The First Annual Bull City Spokenword Festival will be Saturday, May 5th at Hayti Heritage Center. The festival will be hosted by Dasan Ahanu with workshops facilitated by Ed Mabrey and Sacrificial Poets.

Noon - 2pm
Writing and Performance Workshop (youth and adult)

2pm - 4pm
Youth Poetry Slam w/ Sacrificial Poets

8pm - 11pm
Group Piece Invitational Poetry Slam

For more info and to purchase tickets visit the Bull City Slam website.  Visit Durham's Community Event Calendar for everything going on in the place where great things happen.

"Jazzilicious" Expressive Jazz Inspired Paintings by Eric McCray

Those who make their home in, or visit, Durham have the good fortune of access to amazing art and culture. On Friday, April 20, 2012, be one of the first twenty-five (25) attendees at the Hayti Heritage Center opening reception of McRay Studios new collection, "Jazzilicious" and receive a free, signed and numbered limited-edition print. The show will be open to the public for viewing from April 3, 2012-May 31, 2012.

Voted Metro Magazine's "Best Local Artist", Eric McRay is proud to call the Triangle home. As a classically trained studio artist, McRay displays his work in the prominent spaces including the NCCU Art Museum, American Tobacco Campus, Duke University Medical Center, NC State University and SAS Institute.

McRay's new exhibition, "Jazzilicious" features fresh-off-the-easel jazz paintings. The collection makes its way to Durham's Hayti Heritage Center for its debut. "We're always excited about McRay's work-his style lends soul and life to each piece," says Hayti's Interim Executive Director, Janella Sellars. Hear some fine jazz music lift off the canvas with each vibrant brushstroke from April 3, 2012 until May 31, 2012.

The Friday, April 20th show reception is free to the public from 8:00p.m.-10p.m.