Beyond the Blues, a partnership with the YWCA
Beyond the Blues: Women Reclaiming Health During the Harlem Renaissance
Wednesday, April 17th @ 6:30pm in The Wells Theatre Tazewell Lounge
Harlem, 1920, the tail end of the golden-age of art and entertainment that was the renaissance that began spiraling into one of the most heavily struck boroughs of New York in the time of the Great Depression. Unemployment at its high, disease and infant mortality rates lower than any other area in New York, access to healthcare and education for Women became a necessity that springboarded conversations about contraception and healthcare access far beyond its time.
Join Virginia Stage Company and the YWCA of South-Hampton Roads at this open-panel discussion as we dive into the actions of pioneer women like Dr. Marie Levinson and Margaret Sanger who made it their mission to put ‘access’ and ‘education’ hand-in-hand in Harlem. To empower women with knowledge and access that sparked the fights still fought today to ensure all women are heard, protected, and given equal access to the treatments that allow them to have control over their bodies, their health, and their future
Beyond the Blues: Exploring Queer Lives of Color in the Harlem Renaissance
Wednesday, April 24th @ 6:30pm in The Wells Theatre Tazewell Lounge
The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of creativity, expression, identity, love and passion. Not only for the Black Community, but also for the Queer Black voices that shaped an entire era of entertainment, music, and poetry. From the unapologetically masculine presenting Gladys Bentley, to the Mother of Blues Ma Rainey herself…these iconic voices and silhouettes left a lasting impression on art and music; and celebrated Queer identities and expressions that are still fighting to find their light in the world today.
Join Virginia Stage Company, The YWCA of South-Hampton Roads, and Hampton Roads Pride and its esteemed panel of professionals of Queer History as they delve into one of the most vibrant and empowering ages for Black Queer people in America’s History. Learn, celebrate, and join us in paying respect to the BIPOC Queer voices of the 20’s and 30’s who laid the groundwork for Stonewall and beyond.
Blues for an Alabama Sky written by Pearl Cleage comes to the Wells Theatre April 17 - May 5, 2024. Sponsored by Capital Group and supported by the generous partnership of The YWCA of South-Hampton Roads.