Theater as a vehicle for social change abounds this weekend in New Orleans as the Ashé Cultural Arts Center in Central City hosts several days of music, theater, history and oral tradition. Two notable events take place from Thursday, October 17 through Sunday, October 20 at the community center located at 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. Three evening performances include a “Songs in the Key of Life” musical play. Saturday also includes the Free Southern Theater Institute’s New Orleans Civil Rights Tour with members of Junebug Productions.
A scene from Ashe CAC's production of "Songs in the Key of Life: A Stevie Wonder Opera"
This is the final weekend to catch the locally-produced musical, “Songs in the Key of Life: A Stevie Wonder Opera” at Ashé. Famed Motown platinum artist and human rights advocate Stevie Wonder’s 1976 award-winning recording (Songs in the Key of Life) forms the basis of a theatrical work that stars a cast of New Orleans performing artists. The presentation was conceived and directed by local theatre professional John Grimsley.
Performances are nightly at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17; Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19. Tickets are $20 and available online via Ashé’s website or at the venue door.
Saturday’s guided city tour is a unique opportunity to learn about New Orleans’ Civil Rights pioneers and pivotal historic moments from the lips of those who were actually there. The tour departs from Ashé at 1:30 p.m. and returns at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased online via Junebug’s website, or the day of tour at Ashé, should seats be available at the last minute.
FST co-founder, John "Junebug Jabbo Jones" O'Neal
The Free Southern Theater Institute (FST) was co-founded in 1963 by John “Junebug Jabbo Jones” O’Neal and Dr. Doris Derby, and served as one of the southern Civil Rights Movement’s more influential forces in social change through the arts. New Orleans-based Junebug Productions is the contemporary non-profit grassroots organization that continues to produce and support works of theater that influence positive social change, as the legacy initiative born out of the FST.
In celebration of its 50th anniversary this year, FST founders, alumni and current Junebug members will host four days of activities from Thursday, October 17 through Sunday, October 20 during a program entitled, “Talkin’ Revolution.” Panel discussions, workshops, live performances, art exhibits and more will be featured. The complete schedule can be found on the Junebug website and the weekender’s ticketing page here. All-weekend passes are $225, or $150 for students. Single event tickets may also be purchased.
