The William Grant Still Arts Center Presents

 Arkestry of the Cosmos:

The Universe Language of Sun Ra

American Composers Exhibition Series opening

and

Sun Ra Tribute Concert  this Saturday,

February 9 from 3-6pm FREE

Grand Opening

at WILLIAM GRANT STILL ARTS CENTER

This year’s exhibition, open through April, is titled “Arkestry of the Cosmos: The Universe Language of Sun Ra” – featuring over 150 items including a complete discography, original artwork by Ulysses Jenkins, and more.

The tribute concert will feature Dwight Trible, Marcus Miller, BobbyWest, Edwin Livingston, and two former members of Sun Ra’s Arkestra –Derf Reklaw and Dale Williams. Marcus Miller has done an excellent job of putting this group together.

Los Angeles (January 30, 2013) – In 1969, Sun Ra’s first Los Angeles appearance was at the Dorsey High School Auditorium on Farmdale Avenue, just blocks from where The William Grant Still Arts Center is today.

To honor our neighborhood as well as Sun Ra’s groundbreaking career
as a visionary jazz composer, ARKESTRY OF THE COSMOS: THE
UNIVERSE LANGUAGE OF SUN RA will exhibit archives, art, and interviews
on Sun Ra, members of The “Ark” and their quest to expand minds,
music, and souls through musical experimentation for
over a half-century.  An Opening Reception and Concert for ARKESTRY OF THE
COSMOS: THE UNIVERSE LANGUAGE OF SUN RA will take place on Saturday,
February 9, from 3:00-6:00pm, with Dwight Trible, Marcus Miller, Edwin
Livingston, Bobby West,
Derf Recklaw and Dale Williams.

The exhibition features a collection of local, national,
international, and intergalactic archives, including rare photographs,
videos, articles, and original posters on Sun Ra and his Arkestra. The
entire vinyl discography of 33 1/3s, 45s and 78s will also be on
display, among the archival material and documents.

Original artwork by Ramsess, Ulysses Jenkins,and Aise Bourne will also
be on exhibit, influenced or directly
inspired by Sun Ra.

The February 9th opening concert will feature a special one-time
performance of alumni from The Arkestra and other local musicians.
Derf Reklaw (percussion), and Dale Williams (guitar), two former
alumni of the Arkestra, will perform along with Dwight Trible
(vocals), Marcus Miller (drums), Bobby West (piano) and Edwin Livingston (bass).

Sun Ra and The Arkestra are this year’s focus for William Grant Still
Arts Center’s annual African-American Heritage Exhibition, our
exhibition series which celebrates the life and work of
African-American composers annually each spring.  Combining community
archives with original artwork and music education, past exhibitions
in the series have included

Deeds Not Words: The Life and Work of Max
Roach and Abbey Lincoln (2012), A New Day: Nina Simone (2011) and The
High Priest of Bop: The Jazz Odyssey of Thelonious Monk (2010).

The music of Sun Ra is also being presented in conjunction with DCA’s
African-American Heritage Music Education Program, sponsored in part
by Music LA. The William Grant Still Arts Center focuses on teaching
music and cultural history through practice and playing experience to
beginning and intermediate students of all ages
via the works of groundbreaking musical innovators in the tradition of the
Arts Center’s namesake, Dr. William Grant Still,

A culminating youth and community concert, featuring
compositions influenced by students learning of music through the work
Sun Ra, will take place on April 20, 2013 at Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion
Church, across the street from William Grant Still Arts Center.

PROGRAM EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Exhibition Dates:                    February 9-April 27, 2013
Opening Concert:                   Saturday, February 9, 2013   3-6pm
Culminating Youth Concert:     Saturday, April 20, 2013, Time TBA
Center Hours:                         Tuesday – Saturday, Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Location:                                William Grant Still Arts Center,
2520 South West View Street, Los Angeles, CA  90016
Cost:                                      Free

Media Contact:
Ami Motevalli, Director
William Grant Still Arts Center

ami.motevalli@lacity.org
http://wgsac.wordpress.com/

The William Grant Still Arts Center Presents
THE ARKESTRY OF THE COSMOS: THE UNIVERSE LANGUAGE OF SUN RA
February 9, 2013-April 27, 2013