Rivers Presents: A Night with Leyla McCalla + Kalamu ya Salaam (New Orleans) | New Orleans Jazz Museum
Arts
Rivers Institute for Contemporary Art & Thought, in partnership with the Amistad Research Center, presents a captivating evening with renowned artists Leyla McCalla and Kalamu ya Salaam at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. This special event, moderated by Jordan Amirkhani, Curator and Head of Research and Project Development, will take place on Thursday, September 14, 2023.
During this thought-provoking conversation, McCalla and Salaam will delve into the significance of collective histories and storytelling in their artistic practices as New Orleans natives. Through the power of song and voice, they explore the intersection of culture and politics, inviting audiences to engage with these important themes.
Leyla McCalla, a Haitian-American multi-instrumentalist based in New Orleans, seamlessly blends three centuries of history, fusing New Orleans influences and Haitian rhythms on cello, banjo, and guitar. Singing in English, French, and Haitian Kreyol, McCalla's music is a testament to her rich heritage. She is not only a solo artist, but also co-founded Our Native Daughters and played as the cellist for the Grammy-award-winning string band, The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Her latest release, Breaking the Thermometer, received critical acclaim and was named one of the Best Albums of 2022 by esteemed publications such as The Guardian, Variety, and NPR Music. In fact, her song "Dodinin" even made Barack Obama's short list of favorites in 2022.
Kalamu ya Salaam, born and raised in New Orleans, is a highly respected poet, writer, and social activist. Inspired by Langston Hughes from a young age, Salaam has made significant contributions to the literary world with works like The Blues Merchant, Hofu Ni Kwenu (My Fear Is For You), and Revolutionary Love, among others. His immense talent and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including the George Washington Freedom Foundation Award and the CAC Regional New Play Competition Award.
Join us for this extraordinary event at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Doors and bar open at 6pm, and the conversation will commence at 6:30pm. While admission is free and open to the public, we strongly encourage registration due to limited seating. Don't miss this opportunity to be captivated by the profound insights and artistic brilliance of Leyla McCalla and Kalamu ya Salaam.