Global Weekends

The African-American Musical Mosaic

Darryl "DMC" McDaniels photo by Adam Padilla; Sandra Reaves-Phillips photo by Great Ladies Productions; Harlem Quartet photo by Christian Steiner

Hall of African Peoples, Kaufmann Theater, LeFrak IMAX Theater

Ticket Info

Free with Museum admission

Celebrate African-American History Month with a day of family-friendly activities and live musical performances, concluding with a special concert by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, co-founder of the multi-platinum hip-hop group Run-DMC.

Gospel, jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, soul music, and hip-hop are the result of an ever-evolving African-American musical journey that has produced unique musical forms and traditions. Musical performances throughout the day include the innovative Harlem Quartet, dynamic First Corinthian Baptist Church Choir, Oscar-nominated IMPACT Repertory Theatre choir, singer-songwriter Charles Mack, and celebrated jazz vocalist Sandra Reaves-Phillips. Fashion model Gail O’Neill will host the evening program. 

At the conclusion of the program, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels will rock the house with Run-DMC classics and new singles, including “Rock Solid” and “Attention Please,” from his soon-to-be released album Rock Solid. The celebration will close with an uplifting collaboration by DMC and the soulful IMPACT Repertory Theatre choir. After the performance, DMC will be available for a special signing in the Grand Gallery.

For additional information, call 212-769-5315. 

PROGRAM

Noon: Mancala Games with Alex de Voogt
Hall of African Peoples — Try your hand at this fun and challenging game with mancala scholar and enthusiast Alex de Voogt, Assistant Curator, Division of Anthropology. Mancala is played with seeds, stones, or shells on rows of cup-shaped holes and is found all over Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. 
12:30 pm: Claude Jay 
Birds of the World — Charismatic gospel and soul singer Claude Jay ushers in the festive day with an uplifting set of inspirational classics.

Kaufmann Theater
1 pm: Harlem Quartet
Listen to the Harlem Quartet as they celebrate diversity in classical music and interpret works by Mozart, Corea, Marsalis, and Strayhorn.
1:45 pm: First Corinthian Baptist Church Choir
Harlem’s First Corinthian Baptist Church Choir brings audiences to their feet with its soul-stirring renditions of gospel songs.
2:30 pm: Charles Mack
Charles Mack is a writer and composer and musical director of IMPACT Repertory Theatre and Oscar- and Grammy-nominated song writer. He has produced for numerous musical artists in the tri-state area. Charles Mack will perform classical to contemporary gospel songs.
3:15 pm: Sandra Reaves-Phillips
Singer and actress Sandra Reaves-Phillips, who played the dedicated music teacher in Lean On Me with Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman, will perform blues, gospel, and jazz selections.

LeFrak IMAX Theater
4:45 pm: IMPACT Repertory Theatre
This popular choir, which received a standing ovation for its Oscar-night performance of “Raise it Up” from the critically acclaimed film August Rush, inspires with soulful traditional and contemporary gospel favorites. They'll perform "Raise it Up" as part of this evening's program.
5:15 pm: Conversation with Darryl “DMC” McDaniels
Co-founder of legendary rap group Run-DMC, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Emmy Award-winner. Co-author of the critically acclaimed autobiography King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC, McDaniels continues to release numerous albums, including his newest, Rock Solid, and is a special advocate for adoptees and children in foster care. Enjoy an up-close and personal chat with DMC moderated by fashion model and host Gail O’Neill. Q&A to follow.
5:45 pm: Closing Concert
The “King of Rock” Darryl “DMC” McDaniels rocks the house with Run-DMC favorites and powerful new singles. The celebration closes with an uplifting collaboration between DMC and the soulful IMPACT Repertory Theatre choir.
6:30 pm: Closing Remarks
A special meet and greet with DMC will follow the concert in the Grand Gallery, first floor.

Watch a video playlist of performers!

The Presenting Sponsor of the Museum’s cultural public programming is MetLife Foundation.

Support for Global Weekends is made possible, in part, by the Ford Foundation,
the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt. 

The African American Musical Mosaic is presented in association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group.

Media Partner is WBGO Jazz 88.3FM / WBGO.org.