Weekend Passport: Exploring The History Of African-American Hair Through Art
Weekend Passport: Exploring The History Of African-American Hair Through Art
On Fridays, “global citizen” Nari Safavi joins WBEZ’s Worldview with a plan for an international weekend in Chicago. This week, Safavi recommends:
Performance: Hair, Cloth, and Thread
The performance Hair, Cloth, and Thread combines art and music for a deeper look at how African Americans have used hair, historically, as a form of protest. Flute and percussion musicians will play in front of a projected backdrop of different artwork by award-winning fiber artist Sonya Clark.
Hair, Cloth and Thread Flutist Jennie Oh-Brown said Clark’s works include powerful, racially-charged images of dreadlocks and stylized black hair.
“One of the projects that inspired this performance is an image of dreadlocks woven into the American flag, but in one layer sits confederate flag. It’s powerful,” she said.
The work is part of the event Hong Kong Pop Meets Avant Pop at the Chicago International Music and Movies Festival. The performance takes place Friday, April 21 at The Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave. at 7 p.m.
Performance: Cavalia
Safavi recommends Cavalia, a performance for people of all ages. The show features equestrian and performing arts and state-of-the-art special effects.
Cavalia runs through May 7 at the Soldier Field South Lot on Museum Campus Drive.
Press the ‘play’ button to hear more about these and other events happening around Chicago this weekend.