New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Photo by Gundrun Stone
The Zeiterion welcomes award-winning actress Jasmine Guy (“A Different World”) and the critically-acclaimed jazz ensemble the Avery Sharpe Trio in “Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey” on Friday, February 5 at 8:00pm. The production is inspired by the 1923 novel “Cane” by Jean Toomer and the works of the musicians, composers, poets, and actors of the Harlem Renaissance. Hear the words of Langston Hughes, the music of Duke Ellington and see the art of one of the biggest movements of cultural and artistic expression in American history. Tickets from $27 to $45 are available at www.zeiterion.org, 508-994-2900 or at the Zeiterion box office, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Jasmine Guy and the Avery Sharpe Trio visit New Bedford. This production is a rare opportunity for the community to experience the power, passion and excellence of the Harlem Renaissance through these outstandingly talented performers,” said Rosemary Gill, Zeiterion Executive Director.
The Harlem Renaissance, 1918-37, is known as the most influential movement in African American literary and creative arts history — a blossoming of African American culture that embraced literary, musical, theatrical, and visual arts. In the years leading up to the Harlem Renaissance, there was a sense of building artistic expression. Up until then, outlets and avenues for its poets, musicians, novelists, artists, and actors were few. But in 1918, as the first great World War concluded and thousands of African-American soldiers returned home victorious, this mountain of artistic expression was ready to explode.
The words and thoughts of Jean Toomer, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, W.E.B. Du Bois and many others, became the voice of a new generation of African Americans, looking forward but still struggling with the past and present. These thoughts, songs, and images are woven into a panoramic experience that spans this extraordinary outpouring of artistic endeavor. “Raisin’ Cane” is a window on this critical point in history.
Starring the award winning actress, singer, and Alvin Ailey dancer Jasmine Guy and the acclaimed Avery Sharpe Trio, “Raisin’ Cane” celebrates and honors the legendary voices of the Harlem Renaissance through text, song, music, movement, and imagery.
Tickets to “Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey” on Friday, February 5 at 8:00pm range from $27-$45 and are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org, by calling 508-994-2900, or in person at the box office at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. Box Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and two hours before each performance.
