Charles White, “Sound of Silence” (1978), printed by David Panosh, published by Hand Graphics, Ltd., color lithograph on paper, 25 1/8 × 35 5/16 inches (image courtesy the Art Institute of Chicago, Margaret Fisher Fund, © 1978 The Charles White Archives)
This Saturday, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and PopRally are set to host a night of “frenetic jazz and civic-minded art” as they celebrate Charles White, who saw art as “a vital force.”
The jazz ensemble Onyx Collective will move through the galleries, playing “the gospel and calypso sounds of White’s contemporaries.” Following this performance, their set will end with a multi-genre dance production featuring musicians and vocalists. Onyx Collective is an ensemble that puts on unannounced, impromptu performances in venues like basements, cocktail lounges, streets, storefronts, and more. Though they are a jazz ensemble, the type of music they play varies, as does their lineup. They’ve previously performed with a number artists including Nick Hakim, Princess Nokia, Dev Hynes, Wiki, and Kamasi Washington.
Alongside Onyx Collective will be For Freedoms, a platform that encourages participation in the arts and civil society through exhibitions, installations, public programs, and billboard campaigns. At Saturday night’s event, For Freedoms will invite guests to contribute to a mural meant to encourage civic engagement and direct action.
The exhibition Charles White: A Retrospective will be open during the event, and there will be an open bar. Admission is $25, and guests must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets can be purchased here.
When: Saturday, December 15, 8–11 pm
Where: The Museum of Modern Art, entrance through the Ronald S. and Jo Carole Lauder Building (11 West 53rd Street, Midtown, Manhattan)
More info at the Museum of Modern Art.
