For over two decades, Arts Council of Indianapolis has recognized Black History Month with a beautiful, month-long showcase known as Art & Soul, and this year is no different.
Now in its 22nd year, the 2018 Art & Soul will feature over 100 new, emerging and established African American artists performing daily at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. From jazz to dance to poetry, the performances are free and open to the public and begin at 12:15 pm daily. This year’s theme, Rise, draws inspiration from Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise and the Afrofuturism movement and celebrates empowerment through the arts with a diverse lineup of classical and African music, storytelling, dance, and a visual arts exhibition.
“Indianapolis is fortunate to have so many talented artists, and we look forward to Art & Soul each year,” says Dave Lawrence, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, “We thank the Lilly Endowment and our fantastic artistic collaborators, who have helped make this year’s Art & Soul a don’t-miss series of events.”
To develop the theme and roster of acts for the 2018 Art & Soul, the Arts Council partnered with Keesha Dixon (Asante Children’s Theatre), Rob Dixon (Indy Jazz Fest), Nick Owens (Nicholas Owens Dance Company) and Betty Perry (Metropolitan Youth Orchestra) to plan and present Art & Soul at the Artsgarden. Art & Soul has become a highly anticipated annual tradition in Indiana going back to 1996.
Below, you’ll find a list of the remaining 2018 Art & Soul events.
Thursday, February 8
Featured Artist Lauren Curry
Ballet & modern dancer
Friday, February 9
Brenda Williams
Dynamic & vivacious jazz vocalist
Saturday, February 10
Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble
Wednesday, February 14
George Tyler Producer, musician – R&B, soul, jazz, & gospel
Thursday, February 15
Krash Krew Gospel & hip-hop dance troupe
Friday, February 16
Alex Bottom Classical musician
Saturday, February 18
Iibada Dance Co. Children’s African dance company
Wednesday, February 21
Kim Kenny Soul/Jazz vocalist
Thursday, February 22
Indy Jazz Men Upbeat jazz ensemble
Friday, February 23
Featured Artist TOO Black Provocative spoken word poet
Saturday, February 24
Asante Children’s Theatre Children’s theatre group