In honor of Black History Month the Hult Center programming team has pulled together a list of contemporary artists for all of us to celebrate and support. We’re not just stopping here though. Make sure to follow our accounts across the social dials all month long as we’ll be sharing more artists and content that will not only help us all take a moment of remembrance, but also excitement for the future and all the incredible works still to come. Be sure to chime in on posts and let us know other artists on your radar and we’ll do our best to highlight and share.
Jon Batiste
This is an artist we just can’t get enough of and that says a lot since you can see him nightly as the band leader of the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Outside of his nightly role Batiste is a music phenom and highly skilled across multiple instruments and brings his infectious joy and enthusiasm into anything he touches. He also was part of the music direction team of the recent PIXAR film SOUL and the piano playing of the main character. The video below is for his new single for the forthcoming album “We Are” releasing in March of 2021 and we are here for it.
Spectrum Dance Theater & Donald Byrd
This isn’t the first time we’ve shared this timely and important dance performance from Choreographer Donald Byrd and Seattle based Spectrum Dance Theater, and this also won’t likely be the last as “SHOT” is a lightning rod of exposure to the issues of police violence towards minority communities. The raw emotions explored in this piece are visceral and while the topics are divisive and difficult, they are needed. Art like this is fundamental in helping others discover empathy and understanding of difficult issues and we will continue to keep an eye on Donald and Spectrum as they continue to create such vital works.
SHOT – Spectrum Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey are often considered to be on the forefront of contemporary dance. They company is held in such high regard that Congress actually designated them “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world” in 2008. Their work is absolutely stunning and only matched by the incredible educational efforts and programs they have developed that have helped encourage young artists of color to learn and thrive.