Reception and Exhibition Honoring the Life of New Orleans Poet, Playwright, and Oral Historian Tom Dent

The Amistad Research Center will host a reception celebrating the opening of the Tom Dent Papers and a related exhibition on the life and careers of one of New Orleans' most treasured poets, playwrights, and oral historians.

DATE:

Thursday, July 29, 6:00 pm

LOCATION:

Tilton Hall, Tulane University

The brief program will feature conversations about Tom Dent by John O'Neal, Artistic Director of Junebug Productions, and New Orleans poets Kalamu ya Salaam and Quo Vadis Breaux. The audience of friends and colleagues will be encouraged to participate in an "open mic" forum to share their personal reflections on Dent. More information about his life and work can be found here.

The exhibition, entitled Tom Dent: A Heavy Trip Through the South, will run through September 30, 2010, in the exhibition gallery of the Amistad Research Center. Taken largely from Dent's collection of personal papers housed at Amistad, materials on display relate Dent's early interest in writing, his departure and return to New Orleans, and the many theatrical, literary, and oral history projects he engaged in throughout his life.

In reviewing Dent's poetry, fellow poet and friend David Henderson said, "Magnolia Street is a heavy trip through New Orleans." Tom Dent's papers are indeed a heavy trip through the culture, history, and literature of the South during the late 20th century.

Posted by Christopher Harter

(Images from the Tom Dent Papers, Amistad Research Center. May not be reproduced without permission.)

Beyond the Blues Closing Weekend Events

The Amistad Research Center and New Orleans Museum of Art will close the Beyond the Blues exhibition with a weekend full of events July 9 - 11.

All events take place in the Great Hall or Stern Auditorium at NOMA.

Friday, July 9
NOMA open 10:00 am - 2:00 am Saturday

6:30 pm - Film screening of Endangered Species about the ongoing struggle to preserve the culture of New Orleans
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Live music by Tanya and Dorise (of Mother Tongue)
10:00 pm - 1:00 am - Live music by J. Monque'D Blues Band

Saturday, July 10
NOMA open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

2:00 pm - Film screening of Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans

Sunday, July 11
NOMA open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Family art making activities
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm - Voices of New Orleans performance featuring Chuck Perkins and Mardi Gras Indians

LOCATION:
New Orleans Museum of Art
One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park

ADMISSION:
LA residents (w/ photo ID): Adults, $8; Seniors (65+), $7; Children 3-17, $4; Children under 3, free
Out of state residents: Adults, $10; Seniors (65+), $9; Children 3-17, $5; Children under 3, free

Please join us as we celebrate the closing and successful run of the Beyond the Blues exhibition.

For more information, call (504) 862-3222.

Posted by Christopher Harter