Gantt Center events: poetry, music, art, discussion

Classic Black Cinema Series: It Won’t Rub Off, Baby
Sunday, April 11th, 2021
12 p.m.
Virtual
Free

“It Won’t Rub Off, Baby” will be available for streaming all day on April 11 by visiting classicblackcinemaseries.com.

ABOUT “IT WON’T RUB OFF, BABY”Embittered black saxophonist Gregory befriends Murray, a white college professor who blames himself for the recent death of his wife and subsequently drowns his sorrows in alcohol. Gregory and Murray’s drinking binges develop into a friendship based on personal understanding. A third member to the group is added when Hooks, a cafe owner, gives Murray a job as a waiter and, in general, keeps the two men from going overboard.

Open Air: Artist Conversation with Chelle Barbour
Tuesday, April 13th, 2021
7 p.m.
Virtual
Free

In this month’s Open Air, curator for the Gantt Center Dexter Wimberly speaks with Chelle Barbour, an artist whose work is featured in our current exhibit, Vision & Spirit: African American Art | Works From The Bank Of America Collection.
RSVP on Eventbrite: https://0421oa.eventbrite.com/?aff=social

ArtBreak with Levine Center for the Arts
Thursday, April 15th, 2021
12 p.m. to 12:3 p.m.
Virtual
Free

Join professional museum educators and docents from The Mint Museum, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture to look closely and discuss one work of art from each museum. RSVP on Eventbrite.

Street Art Demonstration with Ricky Singh
Saturday, April 17th, 2021
1 p.m.
Outside Gantt Center
Free

Black Lives Matter muralist Ricky Singh will paint live outside at the Gantt’s front door! For two hours he will be demonstrating a spray painted triptych piece, providing information on his artistic process and materials, as well as sharing his experience with the Black Lives Matter mural project. Visitors and passersby can pop in on this experience and walk away having learned more about the medium of spray paint and how it works, while also learning about the artist experience in the context of activism. The theme of Ricky’s piece will be based on the voices of Charlotte youth and their impact. Stop by to take a look at the creation of this piece in real time and to see how it will capture the voice and impact of our city’s youth.

Spoken Dreams
Thursday, April 22nd, 2021
7 p.m.
Virtual
Free

To celebrate National Poetry Month, the Gantt Center will host Spoken Dreams, our first virtual spoken word competition! We have called all spoken word artists in the region to submit a poem and video of their performance to win a $200 Visa gift card. A jury is selecting the top 10 poets who will appear live during the poetry slam. The winner will be selected by the audience and announced at the end of the hour. Hosted by Bluz Rogers, this competition will highlight the transformative intersection of poetry and performance.