In celebration of Black Historical past Month 2023, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is happy to current Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud, a free night of poetry and music exploring the life and instances of the poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist Langston Hughes that includes WQXR Radio host Terrance McKnight on Tuesday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. on the Union County Performing Arts Middle, 1601 Irving Road in Rahway.
The annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award can even be offered on the occasion.
Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud is freed from cost however seats should be reserved upfront. To order on-line go to ucnj.org/black-history-month.
“We’re very proud to welcome Mr. McKnight again to Union County, to rejoice the start of Black Historical past Month 2023 with our neighborhood. Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud is an enlightening, enriching expertise that reminds us of Union County’s deep connections to the nice cultural actions of our previous, and informs our understanding of the current,” stated Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.
“Black Historical past Month is a time for rediscovering the literary voices of our nation’s previous and refreshing our information of the intricate cultural connections that knowledgeable their work. We thank Mr. McKnight for shining a brand new gentle on each Langston Hughes and Ludwig van Beethoven,” stated Commissioner James E. Baker, Jr.
“Langston Hughes is a crucial voice within the cultural and social historical past of the Union County neighborhood, having lived in Westfield within the 1930’s,” stated Commissioner Dr. Angela Garretson. “Mr. McKnight offers a singular musical perspective on the inventive threads that intertwine music and poetry from totally different eras, and we encourage everybody to come back and luxuriate in this very particular presentation.”
“Mr. McKnight offers an enriching expertise that brings us nearer to the deep cultural significance of Langston Hughes’s work, and it’s a actual honor to convey him to Union County in celebration of Black Historical past Month,” stated Commissioner Rebecca L. Williams.
Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud was created by Mr. McKnight, who’s the speaker and narrator for the efficiency. He has paired the poems of Langston Hughes with music by Beethoven, two commanding skills separated by 100 years’ time and vastly totally different worlds. Every discovered inspiration and the spark of creativity within the universality of the opposite’s artwork kind. The night can even embrace works by different composers.
Becoming a member of Mr. McKnight on stage forLangston & Beethoven: Black & Proud are pianist Kyle Walker, oboist David Norville and vocalist Chauncy Packer.
Mr. McKnight frequently curates live shows and talks at Merkin Live performance Corridor, the Billie Vacation Theatre, the Schomburg Middle for Analysis in Black Tradition, and the Museum of Fashionable Artwork. He’s additionally the creator of A Langston Hughes Track Revival.
This will probably be Mr. McKnight’s fourth time returning to Union County to current top quality programming for Black Historical past Month. A full orchestra model of Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud will probably be offered at Lincoln Middle in New York Metropolis in February.
This program is made attainable by funds from the Union County Workplace of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a companion of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
For extra details about Langston & Beethoven: Black & Proud and different actions and packages of the Union County Workplace of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, go to ucnj.org/cultural, e-mail culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or name 908-558-2550.
For data and updates on all Union County providers through the COVID-19 outbreak, together with free vaccination, free testing and different assist providers, go to ucnj.org/covid19. Common details about COVID-19 is on the market by means of the New Jersey Division of Well being at nj.gov/well being.
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For all Union County packages and providers go to ucnj.org, name the Public Data Line, 877-424-1234, e-mail data@ucnj.org or use the web Contact Kind.
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