African-American Arts Festival

In honor and celebration of Black History Month, Victoria Theatre Association presents its first African-American Arts Festival, kicking off on January 20 and continuing throughout the month of February.

The festival features the fourth annual Visual Voices art exhibition in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center, as well as performances, both musical and theatrical, including The M.L.K. Musical Concert, Richard Loring’s African Footprint, Freedom Train, Jasmine Guy and the Avery Sharpe Jazz Trio in Raisin’ Cane and An Evening with Spike Lee.
The M.L.K. Musical Concert – January 20
Location: Victoria Theatre
Ticket Prices: Free and open to the public
The African-American Arts Festival opens with a free performance dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each year, through the efforts of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a community choir is assembled to celebrate the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through song and praise. The public is invited to join us in celebration of Dr. King’s dream.
Visual Voices – January 29 – February 29
Location: Schuster Center Wintergarden
Ticket Price: Free and open to the public
Carrying the same theme as last year’s Visual Voices art exhibit, Dayton Skyscrapers II: An African-American Visual Artists’ Tribute to African American Heroes of Dayton, Ohio is a visual tribute to the many African Americans who have made significant contributions to the Dayton community.
Richard Loring’s African Footprint – February 10
Location: Schuster Center
Ticket Prices: $27.00, $32.00, $39.00, $49.00
Don’t miss this thrilling new production on tour for the first time in the United States! The mesmerizing heartbeat of the African drum, the soulful saxophone and the haunting pennywhistlye meld Afro- and Euro-centric music and dance – Kwela-jive, traditional gumboot, tap, contemporary ballet, hip-hop and pantsula – into an "explosive stampede of dance and song" that tells the vibrant and diverse history of South Africa.
Freedom Train – February 11
Location: Victoria Theatre
Ticket Price: Sold Out
A long-standing tradition, Freedom Train is presented annually as part of the Physicians for Kids Discovery Series, which features performances that are designed specifically for school groups to attend and which are tailored to support Ohio Academic Content Standards. Freedom Train is a musical telling of the life and work of Harriet Tubman, the intrepid conductor of the Underground Railroad.
Jasmine Guy and the Avery Sharpe Jazz Trio in Raisin’ Cane – February 15
Location: Victoria Theatre
Ticket Prices: $35.00, $41.00, $46.00
This one-woman tour de force captures the power, beauty and brilliance of the Harlem Renaissance. Six-time NAACP Image Award Winner and acclaimed actress Jasmine Guy stars in this theatrical presentation in words, music and visuals with a stunning score by the Avery Sharpe Jazz Trio.
An Evening with Spike Lee – February 18
Location: Schuster Center
Ticket Prices: $15.00, $20.00
This special event is presented in partnership with University of Dayton’s Diversity Lecture Series. As a writer-director, actor, producer, author and philanthropist, Spike Lee has revolutionized the role of black talent in cinema. Widely regarded as today’s premier African-American filmmaker Lee is a forerunner in the do it yourself school of independent film.