11th Big Head Community Festival

Schedule

12:00 – 2:00pm
Putting Your Touch on Greatness
(Ritual washing and polishing of Eternal Presence)

2:00pm
Welcome and occasion by Jumaada Abdal Khallaq H.
Smith and Edmund Barry Gaither
Introduction of Phree, Master of Ceremonies
Sound engineering and music by Whistle & Bell

2:15pm
Wah Lum Kung Fu with Charles Payne

2:35pm
Poetry and notes on upcoming exhibition Cancel Violence with L’Merchie Frazier

3:00PM
Dance performance by Kaleisha Chance and company

3:20pm
Ashley Villard sings

3:45pm
Presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award to African dance historian and choreographer De Ama Battle

4:00pm
Dance performance by Kaleisha Chance and company

4:20pm
Hip hop performance featuring HAAWWS

4:45pm
Lovely Hoffman sings

5:10pm
Jazz with the Fred Woodard Collective

5:50pm
Thank you and fall announcements!

Upcoming

Thank you for joining us today. We’ve got plenty of news for you. Here goes!
On September 15, 1921, our community was blessed with the birth of Elma Ina Lewis
whose legacy we honor and sustain. Until 2004, she led a remarkable life as an arts
visionary locally, nationally and internationally. With tomorrow’s sunrise, let us all say

“Happy birthday, Miss Lewis!”

A significant part of Miss Lewis’ legacy is the annual production of Black Nativity which opens its 24th season December 6-22 in Boston’s Theatre District. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8pm, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:30pm. Mark your calendar for the Black Nativity Art Auction, December 5, 2024. Announcing Auditions For Black Nativity – The holiday is fast approaching and the National Center of Afro-American Artists’ production of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity will again grace the Paramount Theatre. If you sing, audition for choral or solo parts on Saturdays, September 21 or September 28 between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists at 300 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury. Auditions are open to children ages six and above, teenagers, young adults and elders. The Hon. Milton L. Wright, adult choral director and internationally acclaimed vocal instructor and children’s choral director, Marilyn Andry will conduct the auditions. This is your opportunity to join an enduring Boston tradition of great art and theater.

Today’s event introduces
Cancel Violence: Artists Speak

An exhibition and public programs sponsored by UnMonument, De-Monument, Re-Monument, Transforming Boston, a project of the Mellon Foundation and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture. Watch for Cancel Violence events, and plan to take part in as many of them as possible.

You are invited to join a Cancel Violence discussion inside the museum. It will be announced from the stage in today’s program.

We are bursting with pleasure as we proclaim our 15th annual Juneteenth Emancipation Observance, on June 19, 2025. Plan to celebrate with us. June is not so far away.

Don’t forget to support our vendors!

We are deeply grateful for the support of The Boston Foundation, Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation, Mellon Foundation and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, and other friends and backers.