The life of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown will be celebrated with music. In recognition of her impact on our community, the arts, and the lives of countless Black artists, a special event to commemorate her birthday will be held on Saturday, June 10, when the Greensboro Opera will collaborate with the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum for Black Heritage Day, an Afro-Classical Celebration.
Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown was a pioneering educator and activist who loved culture and music, which she incorporated into the Palmer Memorial Institute. Dr. Brown learned to play the piano as a young girl and continued to compose her own music throughout her life. Students of Palmer traveled the country performing her pieces along with other works by Black artists. One student who was inspired by Dr. Brown was world-renowned mezzo-soprano Carol Brice. This year, we’re celebrating Dr. Brown’s 140th birthday and honoring Carol Brice with this special Black Heritage Day event.
Black Heritage Day was conceived as a celebration of Black history, culture, food, and music. On the grounds of the historic Palmer Memorial Institute, there will be Black-owned food trucks serving BBQ, vegan, and Haitian dishes, a vendor fair with Black-owned businesses, exhibits and resources about Black history and local museums, and a very special performance at 1:30 p.m., in partnership with Greensboro Opera, by international singer Chrystal E. Williams, mezzo-soprano, and Felipe Hostins, accordion.
When: Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, 6136 Burlington Rd., Gibsonville, N.C., 27249
This event is free and open to the public. More information can be obtained by visiting the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum website or by contacting Liz Torres Melendez at liz.melendez@ncdcr.gov or 336-449-3310.
About the Greensboro Opera
Founded in 1981, the Greensboro Opera is a community-based company dedicated to fostering the growth of opera, and to presenting professional productions of the highest artistic caliber for the enjoyment, education and enrichment of the Triad region of North Carolina.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.