ARKESTRY OF THE COSMOS : THE UNIVERSE LANGUAGE OF SUN RA
Exhibition Dates: February 9-April 27, 2013
In 1969, Sun Ra’s first Los Angeles appearance was at the Dorsey High School Auditorium on Farmdale Avenue, just blocks from where The William Grant Still Arts Center is today.
An exhibition of the archives, art, and interviews on Sun Ra, members of the “Ark” and their quest to expand minds, music, and the souls through musical experimentation. The exhibition runs through April, and features a collection of rare photographs, videos, articles, original posters, and artwork on Sun Ra and his Arkestra.
Featuring artwork by video art pioneer Ulysses Jenkins, Ramsess, Norm Maxwell, Samuel Pace, and murals by Aise Bourne, plus over 150 rare photographs, videos, articles, important highlights from The Arkestra’s vinyl discography (33 1/3s, 45s, and 78s), and original concert posters.
Opening Reception Concert: Saturday, February 9 – 3-6pm – FREE
A special one-time performance of alumni from The Arkestra and other noted local musicians, too, all afternoon from 3-6pm! Former member of The Arkestra Dale Williams (guitar) will be playing along with the excellent musicians Dwight Trible (vocals), Edwin Livingston (bass), Bobby West (piano), Marcus Miller (drums), and Derf Reklaw (percussion). Reklaw was a musician with Kelan Phil Cochran’s Artistic Ensemble, a spiritual jazz ensemble with ties to Sun Ra’s Chicago years, when Mr. Cochran “learned his keys from Sun Ra” and played with the Arkestra.
ARKESTRY OF THE COSMOS- THE UNIVERSE LANGUAGE OF SUN RA is this year’s focus for William Grant Still Arts Center’s annual African-American Heritage exhibition, celebrating the life and work of African American composers. This is also the theme in conjunction with our Heritage Music Education Program. A culminating concert will take place on April 20, 2013.
The William Grant Still Arts Center 