Art & Soul will spotlight Black artists with shows throughout February
After a postponement to June last year because of COVID-19, Art & Soul is back in its usual timeframe in 2023. The Indy Arts Council's major celebration of Black artists, which has been ongoing since 1996, is returning to February for Black History Month.
A First Friday event will launch the festival in the city. The arts council has worked with the Asante Art Institute, Flava Fresh !, iibada Dance Co., Indy Jazz Fest and event producer Valerie Phelps to put together programming and choose the artists.
Theme, featured artists
With the theme of "Kings and Queens," Art & Soul will spotlight four featured artists whose talents help shape Indianapolis music, art, literature and dance. The celebration advances the careers of Black artists by introducing them to larger audiences and supporting their career development. This year's featured artists are:
Jazz musician Brandon Douthitt: After beginning to play the saxophone at age 11, Douthitt went on to graduate from Butler University and earn his master's in jazz performance from Queens College in New York City. He has performed at Indy Jazz Fest, CUNY Jazz Festival and Afropunk, among other high-profile events.
Visual and tattoo artist Jamichael Kyng Pollard: His work has been shown in 2019's Flava Fresh 16 ! and the Kyngdom Art Show, among others. Pollard, a substitute teacher who works with children and adults, founded KyngPen Art and creates portraits, live paintings and face paintings.
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Author and playwright Crystal V. Rhodes: She has written books, more than 20 plays that have been produced in the U.S., and for TV, newspapers and magazines. Among Rhodes' many honors is a Black Theatre Alliance Award for her play "Stoops."
Dancer Adrienne Jackson: She founded Create Freedom Art Projects, a contemporary dance company and artist community. Jackson has been assistant artistic director of iibada Dance Co. and performed with Kenyetta Dance Co. She grew up studying West African dance and continues that training along with learning hip hop dance.
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Black History Month event schedule
The public can attend visual art, music, dance and theater events throughout February to see the featured artists as well as other performers.
Feb. 3: Art & Soul kickoff. 6 p.m. art exhibition at Gallery 924 with work by Pollard and previous featured artists. 6 p.m. performances by the 2023 featured artists and more performers at The Cabaret. (924 N. Pennsylvania St. Free.)
Feb. 8: Featured Artists Showcase. 7 p.m. performances by Douthitt, Rhodes and others, as well as live painting by Pollard. Drinks and dinner starting at 5 p.m. (The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave. $15-$20.)
Feb. 17: Black History Month Tribute. Performances from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Douthitt and more artists. (Indianapolis International Airport. Free.)
Feb. 25: Mainstage Celebration and Wes Montgomery 100-Year Tribute. 4:30 p.m. show with Rob Dixon's tribute to the star jazz guitarist and appearances by the featured artists and others. With vendors, refreshments, dancing and music. (Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St. Free. $15 for "Next Level" experience with balcony seating, food and more.)
Find more information at indyarts.org.
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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Black History Month in Indianapolis: Art & Soul features Black artists
