News and Events

Voices of Freedom Returns for Year 3

We are so excited to be continuing our partnership with Juneteenth Cincinnati to present Voices of Freedom, a visual and performing arts series celebrating Black history from a contemporary perspective, from February 25 to May 27, 2023.

The 3rd annual series includes an art exhibition and three performances, all taking place at Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Lindner Annex.

“We are so excited to collaborate with Juneteenth and many amazing artists and performers from the region on a month-long celebration of Black arts and expression,” said Kennedy Heights Arts Center executive director Ellen Muse.

The centerpiece of the project is a multi-disciplinary exhibition of new works by ten local Black artists entitled When Liberation Comes, opening Saturday, February 25. The exhibition is curated by Jeni Jenkins, who was a featured artist in the 2022 Voices of Freedom exhibit.

For Jenkins, the show is an invitation to envision.

“When liberation comes, what does it look like?” asked Jenkins. “What shape does it take? What’s at stake? What is lost, what is gained? While each artist’s experiences, perceptions, and visions are unique, their work contributes to the larger collective Black diasporic voice.”

Featured artists include: Nytaya Babbitt, Brent Billingsley, James Brown, Cierra Fogle, Brandon Hawkins, Javarri Lewis, Josie Love Roebuck, Rashad Manuel Jr, Adoria Maxberry, and Annie Ruth.

Voices of Freedom will also include a series of three performances in March, featuring dance, spoken word and music exploring the quest for freedom.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Theatre presents Black History Mosaic
Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 pm
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, the 10th largest modern contemporary dance company in the nation rooted in the African-American experience, presents Black History Mosaic. This show pieces together work from DCDC’s repertory that intersects our place in black history past, present and future, and opens the door to dancing the African diaspora.

Nuyori-Cincy Poetry Cafe
Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 pm
Taking inspiration from the Nuyorican Poets Café in NYC, this immersive event will feature spoken word performances by ten diverse poets interspersed with live musical performances in an artful setting. Curated by Regal Rhythms Poetry, LLC.

The Quest for Freedom
Saturday, March 18 at 7:30 pm
This exciting event will highlight the quest for freedom throughout the diaspora with dance, music and food representing Brazil, Cuba and Jamaica, ending with a Carnival inspired experience with audience participation. Performances by Cincy Brazil Samba Dancers, Brazilian Capoeira Dancers, Afrakan Artist Alliance’s Mokkojombie, and Legendari-E.

Performances will take place at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center Lindner Annex, 6620 Montgomery Road. All events are free, but tickets are required and space is limited. Reserve tickets online at kennedyarts.org or call 513-631-4278.

When Liberation Comes will remain on view in the KHAC Lindner Gallery through May 27, 2023. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 to 5:00 pm, and by appointment.

Image above: KHAC Executive Director Ellen Muse and Juneteenth Cincinnati President Lydia Morgan at Voices of Freedom 2022. Photo by Will Jones.