Black Cultural Center announces fall series

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The fall Cultural Arts Series at Purdue University's Black Cultural Center will include lectures, art exhibitions, a heritage tour, a film and artistic performances.

“This fall's schedule of events features something for everyone in the community, and we encourage participation by all,” center director Renee Thomas said. “The slate includes the artistic and cultural richness of African-Americans and is designed to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of African-American culture.”

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.  

Sept. 5 — “Mother of the Dark Water.” This play tells the story of five modern-day black women who are inspired by original images of the Black Madonna to challenge the forces in the normative feminist movement that seek to silence their voices and mask their individuality. Performance is at 7 p.m. in Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall.

Sept. 15 — Global Fest. Enjoy and explore world cultures through music, dance, crafts, displays and international food.  The Purdue Black Voices of Inspiration choir will be featured on the entertainment stage. Event occurs at Morton Community Center, 222 N. Chauncey Ave., West Lafayette, from noon-10 p.m.

Sept. 19 — Tarana Burke is an African-American civil rights activist from New York City who founded the “Me Too” movement. In 2006, Burke began using the phrase “Me Too” to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse and assault in society, and the phrase developed into a broader movement, leading to Time magazine naming Burke its Person of the Year for 2017. Co-sponsored with the LGBTQ Center, the lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse.

Sept. 21-23 — Homecoming Weekend festivities at the Black Cultural Center hosted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  Rekindle old friendships and establish new ones with members of the Purdue Black Alumni Organization at the Black Cultural Center, 1100 Third St, West Lafayette.

Sept. 29 — American Roots Music. The Black Voices of Inspiration will be featured in the inaugural Ouibache Music Festival. Roots music is a broad category of music including Bluegrass, Gospel, Old Time, Celtic, Jug Band, Blues, Appalachian Folk, Cajun, and Native American. Stage shows will feature local, national, and international acts. Music, demonstrations, dancing and more. Event begins at noon at Tippecanoe County Amphitheater, 4449 N. River Road, Lafayette.

Oct. 5-9. — The Black Cultural Center will organize a five-day domestic immersion experience to learn about the Civil Rights movement from a contemporary perspective in Memphis, Tennessee. Students will have the opportunity to spend time with local experts, visit cultural and historical sites and build community through facilitated discussion. Pre-registration required.

Oct. 1-30 — Art Exhibition featuring vinyl record artist Lobyn Hamilton in the formal lounge of the Black Cultural Center. Hamilton creates representational collages with vinyl record and album covers.  He is known for his rendering of political and social figures, social movements, as well as cultural and musical icons.  His work is featured on Fox’s hit show Empire.

October 19 — BCC Coffee House, featuring the Performing Arts Ensemble, at 7 p.m. in Multipurpose Room 1 in the Black Cultural Center.  

Oct. 20 — The Purdue BCC Performing Arts Ensembles will present a theatrical production, “The Colored Museum,” an exploration of African-American culture and experiences in a satirical trip through time. The play has electrified, discomforted, and delighted audiences of all colors, redefining our ideas of what it means to be Black in contemporary America. Performance will be at Glen Theater, 20 W. Ridge Road, Gary, Ind.

Oct. 20-21 — The Black Cultural Center will go on a cultural tour of Chicago to visit the DuSable Museum and the Bronzeville community. Founded in 1961, the DuSable Museum preserves and interprets experiences and achievements of people of African descent. The Bronzeville community was second only to Harlem in providing Black cultural gifts to America and the world.

Nov. 3 — Friends and Family Day at the Black Cultural Center prior to Purdue’s football game against Iowa.

Nov. 30 — BCC Cultural Arts Festival, featuring the Performing Arts Ensembles, 7 p.m. at Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse.

Dec. 14-Mar. 3 — “Southern Roots” art exhibition by Sandra Bridges at Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, 102 S. 10th St., Lafayette. A déjà vu experience of the unexpected. These paintings are endearing, contemplative, and will draw you into the deep experience of our human condition.

Media contact: Jim Bush, jsbush@purdue.edu