PHILADELPHIA PA – The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) & Childhoods Lost Foundation are partnering to host “Stroke The City: Engaging Black Arts” performance.
“Stroke the City” will celebrate the contributions of Black men in the arts in Philadelphia, and will feature performances by 10 Philadelphia-based acts. The concert will be held at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center on Saturday, February 11, 7pm. Doors will open at 6pm.
“The arts have always been a transformative agent of African American culture,” said Jack Drummond, OBME Director. “During Black history month, we are intentionally celebrating the artistic contributions of Black men as we look to transform the narrative around how we are viewed in this city and beyond. We are also displaying the power of giving back in the tradition of many Black artists who have come before us.”
Black arts have played a significant role in the United States since its founding. Art created by African Americans was not traditionally represented in mainstream culture, but resulted in art forms and cultural touchstones that became widely loved and consumed by all of America, like jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop. Notably, a Black arts movement emerged in the 1960s that birthed theatre groups, poetry performances, music, and dance where artists were recognized nationally, and produced renowned artist such as Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Maya Angelou, and Toni Morrison.
Hosted during and in recognition of Black History Month, the event will feature Black male vocalists, dancers, actors, visual artists, spoken word artists, and musicians. Proceeds of the show will be donated to the Sydney Group via The Healed Project (THP), a non-profit organization that supports and fosters performing arts skills for high school students and adults up to 35 years old.
