PROSPECT NEW ORLEANS unveils Artists of Public Memory Commission, Abolition Playground by kai lumumba barrow on Friday, September 22, 2023 located at Norman C. Francis Parkway, situated between Bienville and Canal.
Multimedia artist kai lumumba barrow highlights possibilities of reclaiming public space with the work Abolition Playground — a multifaceted project consisting of everyday objects and found materials such as weathered doors, shutters and wooden planks as well as cornmeal, clay, and rubble. These various interventions in the landscape of Norman C. Francis Parkway, between Bienville and Canal, indicate sites of white supremacist systems of control while empowering counter-narratives of navigation, abolition, and play.
An artist-led tour will begin at 6pm at the intersection of Bienville St. and Norman C. Francis. Followed by an opening reception at 7pm with cocktails provided by Turning Tables, catering by Carmo, and a special musical performance by the Koats for Kids Quartet located at Canal St. and Norman C. Francis neutral ground.
For more information about Abolition Playground, click here.
EVENT PARTNERS
Turning Tables provides both inexperienced and rising Black and Brown hospitality professionals with culturally responsive education, training, mentorship, and resources necessary to access real opportunity. They collaborate directly with restaurant, hotel, and beverage industry partners to increase the diversity of their teams, inclusivity of their environments, and equity in access to opportunities and training.
To learn more about Turning Tables visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
Founded in 2010 by Chefs Dana Honn & Christina do Carmo Honn, Carmo is a New Orleans-based tropical restaurant and bar with a commitment to providing vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike with healthy and affordable dishes in a warm, friendly and casual atmosphere. The menu is built upon the rich, multi-cultural culinary influences found throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America, West Africa, Southeast Asia, Gulf South, and beyond and features eclectic and traditional/traditionally-inspired dishes with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, as well as unique and little-known flavors from around the world.
To learn more about Carmo visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
Koats for Kids Quartet (formerly known as Faubourg Quartet) consists of dedicated musicians and educators from esteemed institutions such as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Xavier University. It was founded by Dr. Ko in 2008 with the mission of supporting underserved children in New Orleans through their musical services. Over the years, they have performed in various concert series, including countless benefit concerts, recording sessions, and commercial gigs, often collaborating with guest artists such as the Marsalis Family, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Their annual concert, which collects coats for children in need, has consistently been a sold-out event. Starting this year, K4K Quartet musicians will be serving as both instructors and performers in the new initiative, the at-risk juvenile music rehab program.
To learn more about the Koats for Kids Quartet visit their website or follow them on Facebook.