What I saw in April and what I hope to see in May

 

I spent this month with one foot in Houston and one foot in New York, but I hope I managed to see enough and write enough that you all didn’t notice I was gone. Two major surveys opened, Amy Sherald at the Whitney and Rashid Johnson at the Guggenheim. And the Off-Broadway premiere of The Swamp Dwellers meant there was something brand-new to see since this production comes 67 years after the play was written. 

For me, the highlight of this month was the gallery shows. Both vanessa german’s GUMBALL and Mwinga Sinjela’s Grasslands got me thinking about freedom, spirituality, and peeling back the layers that we’ve let smother our imagination. 

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Here’s a list of all of the posts from this month, click the links to check out the ones you may have missed!

 

March 25 – Purpose on Broadway (I posted this review in April)

April 3 – vanessa german: GUMBALL — there is absolutely no space between body and soul

April 8 – Mwinga Sinjela: Grasslands

April 9 – Amy Sherald: American Sublime

April 24 – Superfine at the Met: Exhibition Preview

April 25 – Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers

April 26 – The Swamp Dwellers Off-Broadway Premiere

 

Here’s what I’m looking forward to in May! Grab a ticket so you can tell me what you think and check back for the reviews. 

 

Theater

‘Guanahani’ at Theater Lab

Written and directed by Neka Cecilia Knowles, this epic journey is influenced by West Indian folklore and other tales of the African diaspora.

Lights Out: Nat King Cole at New York Theatre Workshop

This play, written by Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor takes us back to the night of Nat King Cole’s final broadcast. This production stars Dulé Hill and Daniel J. Watts (and I can’t believe that I just found out about it…) Performances began on April 30. 

‘Goddess’ at the Public Theater

This new musical has an all-star cast and an award-winning writer on the book. I know the singers in this performance are going to blow the house down. Opening night is on May 20th, I’m catching a preview so keep an eye on your email.

 

Museums

Superfine: Tailoring Black Style

This exhibition, inspired by Monica Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion, will illustrate the impact of Black identity on fashion as a means of expression. I attended a promising preview for this show. The exhibition opens at the Met on May 10th. 

Lorna Simpson

Ms. Simpson joins Ms. Sherald and Mr. Johnson in the honor of a major survey this season. The show is entitled “Source Notes” and “is the first exhibition to consider the entirety of her painting practice to date.” It opens at the Met on May 19th. 

 

Special Events

Honoring LES History with Photographer Alex Harsley

This free community event on May 29th will feature street photography by Lower East Side legend, Alex Harsley. He’s been documenting life via lens since the 1950’s and his archive includes nostalgic shots of the city as well as historical figures like John Coltrane, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn, Coretta Scott King, Angela Davis and more.

 

BEYONCE ARRIVES TO NYC FOR COWBOY CARTER

I will not explain. I will not elaborate. 

 

blacklove 🖤 and starlight 🌟