CultureSync - Helping People Find Art and Culture in Cincinnati, Ohio

Mosaic Culture's CultureSync invites Cincinnati to "Get Synced. Be Connected." If you attended recent Cincinnati events, Moca Lounge, A Conversation with Bootsy Collins and Textural Rhythms: The Concert, you already know how exciting getting "Synced" can be.

Filling Cincinnati's Cultural Void

Cincinnati, Ohio is a great place for music and culture. The Ballet, Opera and Orchestra, Cincinnati Art and Taft Museums and the Contemporary Arts Center keep the arts alive, but feature few people of color.

For nearly 32 years, the Arts Consortium promoted African American art and culture, but the museum and its satellite, the African American Museum at Museum Center, ceased operations. The closings left a cultural void CultureSync intends to fill by syncing ... connecting artists with events and events with people who seek them.

With the Fine Arts Fund and True American Lodge #2 as Program Partners, Toilynn O'Neal coordinating the events and funding from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Halle, Jr. US Bank Foundation, the nonprofit presented 3 free events in 4 days.

Moca Lounge

Freedom Center's North Star Cafe became an intimate, "neo-soul lounge." Spoken word poetry merged with live music and art. "Paint by Numbers," a line drawing of musicians, became a "group art experience." Guests, include artist, Robert O'Neal and Donnie Hollywood's modeling students, painted in details throughout the evening.

Artist, Robert Harris sketched. Christopher Perkins painted. Reginald Leary added final splashes of color to a bring his canvas to life.

A live band enhanced the fiery readings of Lady J, Teach, artist and poet, Annie Ruth and others. A drummer set the tone for poetry on the Cafe patio.

A Conversation With Bootsy Collins

Imagine interacting with Funk legend Bootsy Collins, Professor/Writer/Activist, Dr. Cornell West and PBS talk show host, Tavis Smiley. Dr. West joined Bootsy's lively conversation on Funk music. Smiley remained in the audience, still his presence fueled the excitement.

Bootsy recalled waiting outside King Records every day to see James Brown. He shared his foundation's mission statement, "Say it loud, an instrument for every child..." and introduced a student from his new online Funk University.

Dr. West discussed Funk music, "moral constipation," and the origins of African American music. "Voices and bodies were all slaves had," he said, "so they lifted voices, raised hands and produced spirituals."

Textural Rhythms: The Concert

The Freedom Center's music themed quilt exhibit was the inspiration for a Sunday jazz concert. Quilters, Carolyn Mazloomi and Cynthia Lockhart discussed the art of quilting. As Jazz artists, Special, Razberry, Kathy Wade and Bruce Menefield, performed projected images of exhibit quilts filled the screen behind them.

Mosaic and CultureSync promise more events to come.

Source:
Culturesync-cincy.com
Attendance at events
Event literature
Arts Consortium info:http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124774144.html