Cultural Arts Series - Fall 2017
“Gumbo in the Big Easy”
Like its most famous dish, gumbo, New Orleans is a city defined by the cultures that were instrumental in its formation. The fall 2017 BCC themes is “Gumbo in the Big Easy.” Throughout the semester the Black Cultural Center will host a series of events which highlight the intersections of history and culture to aid understanding in why New Orleans is often described by scholars of the African diaspora as the most African city in the United States. These cultural pathways are found in the city’s food, music, poetry, dance, fashion, art and celebrations. Yet, many of these traditions have yet to recover from the multiple devastations of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. The BCC fall programs explore the “ingredients” of the city’s cultural gumbo and also identify the complex effects the 2005 hurricane continues to have on the city.
Download the full schedule here. Open our “menu” and whet your appetite as you explore the “ingredients” offered.
Boilerfest New Student Orientation
Thursday, August 24
4:00- 6:00 pm - BCC Parking Lot
Boilerfest is an introduction to the Black Cultural Center, various student organizations, campus support services, faculty, administrators and community groups. Boilerfest is an enjoyable event filled with music, live entertainment, food and fun that also features performances by BCC Performing Arts Ensembles.
New Orleans Cooking with Kevin Belton
Wednesday, September 13th
6:30 pm - Marriott Hall - Demonstration Kitchen, Room 148
Watch, Learn & Eat! PBS Chef Kevin will prepare a classic creole/Cajun meal while you learn about the vibrant history of New Orleans cuisine.
Pre-registration required - Cost $25 Public and $10 Purdue Students (Limited to 95 participants)
Pre-registration link: https://purdue.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0MNy08OU8KIv5mB
Homecoming 2017
Friday-Sunday, September 22-24
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Rho Sigma chapter will celebrate their 75th year Anniversary. Omega men and PBAO alumni from across the globe will rekindle old friendships and establish new ones throughout the weekend.
Reimaging Equality: Inclusive Communities in Post-Obama America
Monday, September 25, 2017
6:00 pm – Stewart Center - Loeb Playhouse
2017 Cumming-Perrucci Lecture presents: Anita Hill
With political and social landscapes changing, Hill will discuss how we address questions of equity, including sexual harassment and assault, gender and racial economic gaps and leadership disparities.
Co-sponsors- College of Liberal Arts, Center for Faculty Success, Office of Multicultural Programs, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Congo Square African Roots in New Orleans – Freddi Williams Evans
Thursday, September 28, 2017
7:00 pm – Stewart Center - Room 206
Ms. Evans will tell the fascinating history of Congo Square, a place where enslaved Africans congregated Sundays in New Orleans. A space that signified cultural memory, traditional spiritual practices and artistic expression.
New Orleans Photography Exhibition featuring Mark Simons and William Caise
October 2 – December 15
Black Cultural Center - Multipurpose Room II
Mark is a campus photographer who utilizes his talent of taking images to help Purdue communicate stories and connect people. BCC Assistant Director, Bill Caise provides leadership for the BCC Gordon Parks Ensemble that explores African American experience through photography. The exhibit highlights images from the Purdue BCC Research Tour to New Orleans in 2008.
Research Tour – New Orleans, Louisiana
Friday –Tuesday, October 6-10
Only open to current members of the BCC Performing Arts Ensembles. Participants will visit historical landmarks and museums, collect personal narratives from residents of New Orleans and engage in scholarly discussion with topic experts and masterclass instruction with local arts organizations.
BCC Coffee House Performing Arts Ensemble Showcase
Friday – Saturday, October 20-21
7:00 pm –Black Cultural Center – Multipurpose Room I
Performing Arts Ensemble Showcase will present a glimpse of the material acquired during the fall research tour to New Orleans.
Mona Lisa Saloy, Author & Folklorist, Educator and Scholar
Thursday, November 2
7:00 pm – Stewart Center – Room 310
An award winning author of contemporary Creole culture and poetry. Her narrative poems tell the day-to-day lives of Black New Orleans and the rare magic in the culture.
Co- sponsor: Purdue Honors College
BCC Friends and Family Day featuring Cha Wa
Saturday, November 4
Immediately following the football game – Black Cultural Center
BCC Friends and Family Day featuring Cha Wa will lead a “second line” parade from Ross Ade Stadium to the BCC. Strut your stuff New Orleans style while waving your handkerchief to a blend of hip hop, jazz and funk style music. Participate in America’s favorite street rhymes that have been recited, chanted and sung for generations and make your own Mardi Gras Mask.
Cultural Arts Festival
Friday, December 1
7:00 pm – Stewart Center - Loeb Playhouse
Admission: $7.00 General Public; $5.00 Purdue Students
Featuring BCC Performing Arts Ensembles
Dance Class with Jeffrey Page
Thursday, December 7
Purdue Memorial Union - South Ballroom
MTV’s Video Music Award winning and Emmy Award nominated choreographer, Jeffrey Page will offer an energetic fusion of traditional African Dance, hip-hop, funk and soul master dance class. Jeffrey has trained and worked with Beyonce’, FELA! and more!
Co-sponsor: Purdue Honors College
“Moving Parts” Thomas Lucas and Hummingbird Press Editions Lafayette Museum of Art
December 15 – February 25, 2018
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette
102 South 10th Street, Lafayette, Indiana
Thomas Lucas received a BFA in Printmaking at Tyler School of Arts, Temple University. He received his MFA from The School & the Art Institute of Chicago. He was the former Visual Arts Chair at The Chicago Academy for the Arts and is now the Director of Printmaking at Lillstreet Art Center.
Co-sponsor: Art Museum of Greater Lafayette
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