This weekend, a multi-faceted event will examine Black art and its relationship to hometowns, creative spaces and dwellings. Dubbed “Whereabouts,” the June 20 production features Best of the Beat Award-winning rapper Pell, as well as “Lonely” musician Kr3wcial and photographer Jamal Barnes.
Together, the three featured artists will explore how their self-expression is informed by New Orleans music history, its “laissez-faire attitude” and the backdrop of disasters, both natural and manmade. An intentional focus on being Black creatives will inform the timbre of “Whereabouts,” which takes place just a day after Juneteenth.
Keeping the limitations made prevalent by the “safer-at-home” mandate in New Orleans, this event will take place virtually. Produced by Them People Productions and A Black Creative’s Guide, the event will feature a virtual tour of Barnes’ “Welcome Home” exhibit on display at Axiom Gallery, an interview with Pell about new music and a performance from Kr3wcial.
Pell, who took home two of OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Awards in January for his work in hip-hop, says an event like Whereabouts is necessary, particularly amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Black creatives in the city need as much exposure and money more than ever right now since there’s a lack of one key revenue source: live performances,” he tells me. “The need to connect with others through social media and Zoom chats such as this one, is key. I never would have been able to accomplish what I have without a community of OGs putting things in perspective for me.”
Ifátùmínínú Bamgbàlà Arẹ̀sà, founder of A Black Creative’s Guide adds that this weekend’s installment is the kick-off to a Black art series focusing on local talent. “All of the organizers are from New Orleans and we were very intentional about using all native New Orleanian artists to kick off this series. It is important that we highlight our hometown heroes and give them the space to do what they do best for our community.”
Them People Productions co-founder Krystle Sims-Cameron echoes the sentiment, saying “Having a place to belong, to express ourselves, is so important and can feel so elusive for Black Americans. Whereabouts exists so that, even in these times of sheltering in place, wearing masks, and fighting to have our basic humanity respected, we can share a safe, intimate space with each other and continue to draw inspiration and strength from one another.”
Whereabouts takes place this Saturday, June 20, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Central. For more information, click here. Tickets range from $5 to $12 and can be purchased here.
