From High-Energy West African Dance To Powerful Black LGBTQ+ History
Westwood will host three vibrant cultural events in February, showcasing West African dance and drumming, Black LGBTQ+ history, and the legacy of jazz icon Betty Carter.
On February 19, the Fowler Museum at UCLA will present an immersive evening of West African dance and drumming from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees will experience the dynamic rhythms of drummers Aboubacar Kouyate and Gnenemon Soro, followed by a dance class led by Wilfried Souly, a renowned choreographer and professor at UCLA’s World Arts and Cultures/Dance department. No prior experience is needed to participate in the event, which highlights the deep cultural traditions of Burkina Faso and Guinea.
Souly, a Burkina Faso native, is a celebrated choreographer known for his work exploring themes of systemic racism and neocolonialism. Kouyate, a master djembe drummer from Guinea, has performed extensively across Africa, Europe, and the U.S., bringing traditional West African rhythms to a global audience. You can reserve your space on Eventbrite.
On February 21, the Billy Wilder Theater will feature a special film screening and discussion with filmmaker Michelle Parkerson. The event, beginning at 7:30 p.m., will showcase three of Parkerson’s documentaries that highlight Black cultural history and artistic expression. You can find more information at the UCLA Library Film and Television Archive.
“Fierceness Served! The ENIKAlley Coffeehouse” (2021) explores the significance of the ENIKAlley Coffeehouse, a Black LGBTQ+ arts space in Washington, D.C., that provided a refuge for activists and artists in the 1980s. The documentary weaves interviews, archival images, and poetry readings to capture the vibrant legacy of a community grappling with HIV/AIDS and crack epidemics.
Following this, Parkerson’s 1980 documentary “…But Then, She’s Betty Carter” will be screened. This intimate portrait of the groundbreaking jazz vocalist Betty Carter offers a deep dive into her 30-year career, featuring interviews with Carter and jazz bandleader Lionel Hampton. The film showcases Carter’s musical genius and fierce dedication to artistic independence.
Gotta Make This Journey: Sweet Honey in the Rock
This public broadcasting-funded documentary about the dynamic a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock intercuts between interviews with group members and a rousing performance at their ninth-anniversary concert at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, Parkerson’s hometown. Parkerson, who is credited as the film’s producer, made use of facilities and personnel at the DC public television affiliate WETA and completed the film in just four months. Angela Davis, Alice Walker, and Holly Near provide commentary on Sweet Honey’s deep resonance around the world and the footage of the audience speaks volumes about the power of song in the face of injustice.
The screenings are free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served, with tickets available at the box office one hour before the event
