The City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs ELEVATE Public Arts Festival continues today with some exciting performances and "must watch" conversations.
Atlanta favorite, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will present a special presentation of Lazarus at 7:30 p.m. But before that, virtual attendees can watch an insightful conversation with artist extraordinaire Carrie Mae Weems and our very own Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms regarding her newest initiative Resist COVID Take 6!
African American, Latinx, and Native American communities have been disproportionately affected by the deadly COVID-19 virus. No one knows this better than Mayor Bottoms, who has been forging a path through many crises the pandemic has caused for Atlanta and its residence. Carrie Mae Weems has also turned her eye to the pandemic. Her Resist COVID Take 6! campaign visually investigates the devasting political, cultural, class and racial impact of COVID-19 on black and brown communities. This conversation, moderated by Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Director of Spelman College Museum of Art; explores the approaches Mayor Bottoms and Weems are taking to amplify their voices and deliver a message which saves lives and will hopefully lead to personal and systemic change for many.
ELEVATE continues its longstanding relationship with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater through this virtual presentation of Lazarus, the company’s first two-act ballet. Acclaimed hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris completes a trilogy of works — including past Ailey audience favorites Exodus and Home — with this hour-long work inspired by the life and times of Alvin Ailey. With Lazarus, Harris connects past and present in a powerful work that addresses the racial inequities America faced when Mr. Ailey founded his company in 1958 — and still faces today. CLICK HERE to register.
Also, check out my recent UPFRONT interview with Carrie Mae Weems where she talks about the inspiration behind Resist COVID Take 6! and more.
