The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music

Aunt Cynthia, a music history buff, helps her niece Lauren learn about the music genres that were born and formed by African American history and culture. They cover a wide breadth, all the way from the times of slavery, to Negro Spirituals, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, the Harlem Renaissance, Gospel, the Civil Rights movement, Soul and R&B, and Hip Hop. Cynthia works to inspire Lauren’s curiosity about these periods of history by continuously making it relevant to the music, and uses the layers of a quilt to explain how music of the past connects to the contemporary music that Lauren is most familiar with. By the end of the film, Lauren feels more empowered by the generational connections of music and culture she has learned.

A panel discussion will follow the film screening, with local artists associated with the film’s creation. Participants are welcome to bring questions to the event!

Film Scenes:
Time of Slavery
Negro Spirituals
Blues
Ragtime
Jazz
Harlem Renaissance
Gospel
Civil Rights Movement
Soul and R&B
Hip-Hop