Art & Soul 2016 at the Indianapolis Artsgarden
ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
INDIANA---The worship arts are the focus for the Arts Council of Indianapolis' 20th annual Art & Soul series running Jan. 30-Feb. 27, 2016. With 87% of African Americans identifying as Christian, the month-long celebration of artists features gospel choirs, African American foods and crafts, spoken word performances, musicians, dance companies, and artwork by Christian artist Derrick Carter. All events are held at the Artsgarden in downtown Indianapolis, and begin at 12:15pm.
Saturday, January 30, 12:15 pm
Art & Soul Kickoff Celebration
Art & Soul 2016 will celebrate the arts in the journey to freedom. The kickoff will feature a procession of featured artists, arts leaders, and worship arts ministers, an inspirational gospel choir, a tribute to Amos Brown, an African American food and vendor fair, along with a student art exhibition highlighting the talents of Indianapolis students. Meet Featured Artists: Derrick Carter (Visual), Mariah Ivey (Literary), Nicholas A. Owens (Dance), and Jared Thompson (Music).
Wednesday, February 3, 12:15 pm
Mariah Ivey
Spoken word: HEALing and HILLing Towards FREEdom
Featured Literary Artist, Mariah Ivey
Thursday, February 4, 12:15 pm
Griot Drum Ensemble
African drumming
Friday, February 5, 12:15 pm
Kenny Phelps and Owl Music Group
Gospel jazz experience
Saturday, February 6, 12:15 pm
Native Sun
Fusion of the sacred sounds of hip hop, gospel, and soul
Wednesday, February 10, 12:15 pm
Brenda Williams
Music inspired by Mahalia Jackson
Thursday, February 11, 12:15 pm
Steven Jones and Allyson Horton
The poetic story of jazz
Friday, February 12, 12:15 pm
Epiphany Dance Collective
Fusion of African, modern, and hip hop dance
Saturday, February 13, 12:15 pm
Rob Dixon Quartet featuring Goldie
Tribute to John Coltrane and Nina Simone
Wednesday, February 17, 12:15 pm
Black Dance Matters
Exploring the black arts movement through dance
Featured Dance Artist, Nicholas A. Owens
Thursday, February 18, 12:15 pm
Bashiri Asad
Essence of African American R&B, soul, and folk music from 1970-2000
Friday, February 19, 12:15 pm
Ben Rose
Music and spoken word from protest to worship, Africa to America
Saturday, February 20, 12:15 pm
Asante Children’s Theatre
Word Dance: A celebration of poetry and music followed by Any Given Child Indy forum
Any Given Child Indy parent forum is the first in a series of parent dialogues about arts education in Indianapolis
Wednesday, February 24, 12:15 pm
Kevin Johnson
Music inspired by Langston Hughes
Thursday, February 25, 12:15 pm
Krash Krew Dance Ministries
Gospel and hip hop dance
Friday, February 26, 12:15 pm
Jared Thompson and Premium Blend
Jazz inspired by Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, and Herbie Hancock
Featured Music Artist, Jared Thompson
Saturday, February 27, 12:15 pm
Art & Soul Closing Ceremony
Closing celebration with a performance by the LifeJourney Gospel Choir and a tribute to marriage equality. The tribute will include a procession of couples and an Arts Council commissioned poem and music featuring the talents of Featured Artists Mariah Ivey and Jared Thompson.
 |
| Visual artist Derrick Carter. Photo by pauldbestphoto.com |
Art & Soul Kickoff Celebration
Art & Soul 2016 will celebrate the arts in the journey to freedom. The kickoff will feature a procession of featured artists, arts leaders, and worship arts ministers, an inspirational gospel choir, a tribute to Amos Brown, an African American food and vendor fair, along with a student art exhibition highlighting the talents of Indianapolis students. Meet Featured Artists: Derrick Carter (Visual), Mariah Ivey (Literary), Nicholas A. Owens (Dance), and Jared Thompson (Music).
 |
| Spoken work artist Mariah Ivey. Photo by pauldbestphoto.com |
Mariah Ivey
Spoken word: HEALing and HILLing Towards FREEdom
Featured Literary Artist, Mariah Ivey
Thursday, February 4, 12:15 pm
Griot Drum Ensemble
African drumming
Friday, February 5, 12:15 pm
Kenny Phelps and Owl Music Group
Gospel jazz experience
Saturday, February 6, 12:15 pm
Native Sun
Fusion of the sacred sounds of hip hop, gospel, and soul
Wednesday, February 10, 12:15 pm
Brenda Williams
Music inspired by Mahalia Jackson
Thursday, February 11, 12:15 pm
Steven Jones and Allyson Horton
The poetic story of jazz
Friday, February 12, 12:15 pm
Epiphany Dance Collective
Fusion of African, modern, and hip hop dance
Saturday, February 13, 12:15 pm
Rob Dixon Quartet featuring Goldie
Tribute to John Coltrane and Nina Simone
 |
| Dancer and choreographer Nick Owens. Photo by pauldbestphoto.com |
Black Dance Matters
Exploring the black arts movement through dance
Featured Dance Artist, Nicholas A. Owens
Thursday, February 18, 12:15 pm
Bashiri Asad
Essence of African American R&B, soul, and folk music from 1970-2000
Friday, February 19, 12:15 pm
Ben Rose
Music and spoken word from protest to worship, Africa to America
Saturday, February 20, 12:15 pm
Asante Children’s Theatre
Word Dance: A celebration of poetry and music followed by Any Given Child Indy forum
Any Given Child Indy parent forum is the first in a series of parent dialogues about arts education in Indianapolis
Wednesday, February 24, 12:15 pm
Kevin Johnson
Music inspired by Langston Hughes
Thursday, February 25, 12:15 pm
Krash Krew Dance Ministries
Gospel and hip hop dance
 |
| Saxaphonist Jared Thompson. Photo by pauldbestphoto.com |
Jared Thompson and Premium Blend
Jazz inspired by Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, and Herbie Hancock
Featured Music Artist, Jared Thompson
Saturday, February 27, 12:15 pm
Art & Soul Closing Ceremony
Closing celebration with a performance by the LifeJourney Gospel Choir and a tribute to marriage equality. The tribute will include a procession of couples and an Arts Council commissioned poem and music featuring the talents of Featured Artists Mariah Ivey and Jared Thompson.
