WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON, FRIEND?
A FREEDOM SONGS FESTIVAL
February 18-22, 2015
Featuring The Peace Poets, Justin Hicks, Chaney Sims, Equality for Flatbush and The Illustrious Blacks
In the wake of continued racial injustice in America, JACK provides a platform for contemporary artists to revisit and reinterpret songs of the Civil Rights era, in an effort to fill our city with activist energy. Part of JACK's season-long series Forward Ferguson.
The Moment:
Protest Songs from Right Now
Wednesday, Feb 18 at 8 pm
Featuring:
The Peace Poets ("I can hear my brother crying, 'I can't breathe'")
JoAnn DeLuna
We Are Temporary
and more to be announced
Justin Hicks: The Odetta Project
Thursday and Friday, Feb 19 and 20
8 pm
Captivating performer and singer Justin Hicks unveils The Odetta Project: waterboy and the mighty world, produced by Kaneza Schaal. The piece explores musical, social and political legacy of Odetta Holmes (1930-2008), the legendary singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and activist, known as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement.” Hicks harnesses the beauty and power of Odetta's music by channeling, covering and re-mixing her works and thus inviting her Majesty back to the stage.
An Evening of Freedom Songs with Chaney Sims and friends
Saturday, Feb 21 at 8 pm
Grammy-nominee Chaney Sims presents an evening of performers channeling freedom songs of the civil rights era, featuring Crystal Monee Hall, Shelley Nicole from blaKbüshe and Ashley Phillips.
Community Forum on Gentrification
Sunday, Feb 22 at 3 pm
Join activists Equality for Flatbush for a forum on the issue of gentrification. Share ideas and learn about resources can help save affordable housing in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Hear about the Before It's Gone // Take It Back campaign, a Brooklyn-wide neighborhood and web-based response to the crisis of gentrification of Brooklyn, NY. A dance party follows at 6 pm.
The Blowout
A dance party led by The Illustrious Blacks
Sunday, Feb 22, 6–11 pm
Club heroes Monstah Black and Manchildblack lead an early evening healing dance party to activate protest spirit. Vocalists will offer inspirational words and song above the music. The party follows the 3 p.m. community discussion on gentrification, led by organizers Equality for Flatbush.