New York Spirit in Sunset Productions is pleased to present Soul Jam Spreadin’ Sweet – Get ready for a brand new beat!
A multimedia marathon celebrating soul music of the 1960s and 1970s presented in poetry, prose and performance by artists of color and the creative community.
The event will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, 679 West 145.th Street on Riverside Drive in Harlem, New York 10031.
The event will take place outdoors on the main stage. In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at the Robert Frederick Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Spirit in Sunset Productions at (917) 675-7255 and email [email protected] or [email protected]. You may also contact the Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park Cultural Office at (212) 694-3633/3634 or general information at (212) 694-3600. Information is also available on the Riverbank Park Facebook and Instagram pages.
The park is accessible by public transport. Take line 1 (nearest train line) or trains A, B, C, D up to 145.th Road, M100 and M101 bus to 145th Street or the number 19 bus, which goes directly to the park in Harlem.
“Soul Jam Spreadin’ Sweet – Get ready for a brand new beat!” was conceived and produced by artist and writer Nikki Williams, artistic director of Spirit in Sunset Productions. The three-part program is part of a series of traveling programs that accompany a series of artworks entitled: “Spreadin’ Jam Joy & Jive – A sweet journey on the soul of my 45.”TM The art exhibition began its tour on June 6 at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.th and ran until June 29, 2024.
The three programs, to be presented on September 8, 2024 at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, will consist of an invitation-only photo shoot honoring artists of color and members of the creative community representing all genres and
Disciplines of the arts celebrate the soul music that was played on 45 records in the 1960s and 1970s. The “Soul-a-thon”” TM is part of Williams’ trademark non-stop literary marathon readings of poetry, prose and performances.
The evening ends with participants and guests having the opportunity to dance to the music of the era. With water as a backdrop and under the glow of a beautiful setting summer sun – a Summer Soul Sunset Dance Party entitled – “For people who just need a beat” will take place.
The creative writing workshops as part of “Spreadin’ Jam Joy & Jive – A sweet journey on the soul of my 45.”TM entitled “Pass the P’s” (as we like to say) – poetry, prose and performance, were held at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and at EmblemHealth in Harlem in July. Workshops are scheduled to continue in August at EmblemHealth and the Macon Branch Library in Brooklyn. Select pieces from the art exhibit will be displayed in the windows of Ryan Health’s Frederick Douglass location in August. Additional locations in New York are expected to be added before the exhibit and its programs leave New York for a national tour.
Williams had the idea “Spreadin’ Jam Joy & Jive – A sweet journey through the soul of my 45”TM after photographing over two hundred 45 records from her personal collection. Williams created artwork inspired by her collection of 45 records and exhibited them in two solo exhibitions several years ago “And a song of praise will rise over the a cappella sky” And “Standing in the Sacred Self – A Sacred Sistah Space.” She then decided to create a comprehensive work of art inspired by images from her 45 records. Poems, prose and narratives complement each work. To date, the collection includes over fifty completed works.
A producer with a reputation for developing innovative programming, Williams has been celebrating the achievements, accomplishments and contributions of artists of color for over 34 years. In 1990, Williams was the first to produce a live radio program that aired weekly on Harlem Community Radio, WHCR 90.3 FM. Live interviews and live performances were heard every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. “Soul Jam Spreadin’ Sweet – Get ready for a brand new beat!” is the fifth literary marathon (non-stop literature through performance) that Williams will host. Artists of color from all artistic
disciplines have participated in their typical literary marathons that pay tribute to African Americans
Literary greats such as Mr. Langston Hughes and Dr. Maya Angelo. “Ah Sookie, now Sookie!” presented in 2023, was a three-part literary festival funded exclusively by Poets & Writers, Inc., celebrating its 25th anniversary.th Anniversary of the publication of the poem, “Ego trip”, written by poet, writer, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni.
For further information and to book the art exhibition and literature programmes for “Spreadin’ Jam Joy & Jive – A sweet R&B ride on the soul of my 45”TM please contact Spirit in Sunset Productions at (917) 675-7255 (landline/no text) or email [email protected].
You can also go to Facebook: Spreadin’ Jam Joy & Jive and visit their website at www.byojbringyourownjoy.com.
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