Co-presented by Portland Ovations and Indigo Arts Alliance
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Black, Haitian American composer, violinist and activist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) returns in a celebratory new project spanning February-May 2024 and culminating in a day of community programs and an outdoor public performance at the at the historic Abyssinian Meeting House.
This is a site-responsive composition project that aims to reflect the breath, sorrow and beauty of Portland, Maine’s complex history and relationship to its Black community, utilizing live performance to mark, reclaim and celebrate a site of significance and enduring legacy. With the Abyssinian Meeting House as inspiration, DBR shares an original work, to which local artists across disciplines are invited to remix and respond.
This work, by its very nature, is rooted in a complex investigation into Black trauma, ownership, equity, and joy while utilizing DBR’s violin and scores as an instrument of change, of seeking and finding resonance. It is important to DBR that the work feels personal, even familial, accessible, intimate, and deeply collaborative where marginalized communities can participate as they wish to hold vigil, hold space, and hold each other.
Read artist biographies, news articles, preview the music, and more!
Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Subject to Change
Free and open to the public – No RSVP needed. All events are self-guided, feel free to attend as much or as little as you like. These programs promise to be a transformative celebration of culture, history, and community resilience.
3 – 5:30 pm
Location: Eastern Cemetery
224 Congress Street, Portland
Audiences are invited to learn about our City’s hidden Black history through special tours led by Vana Carmona, founder of The Prince Project and Jeff Lyons, of Spirits Alive. Included are the graves of the two African American sections, as well as those of Portland’s 18th century enslavers. Tours run every 30 minutes, with the last tour leaving at 5:00PM.
5 – 6:30 pm
Location: Indigo Arts Alliance
60 Cove Street, Portland
Indigo Arts Alliance will activate their studio with an opening performance by DBR. Additional activations will be presented by AiR Alum and other Black and Brown performers who will respond to the ECHOES call with dance, music and spoken word performances. Featured artists are Brian J. Evans, Samuel James, Veeva Banga, and Maya Williams.
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Abyssinian Meeting House
75 Newbury Street, Portland, outside
Dugan Murphy of Portland by the Foot provides inspiring, inclusive and surprising guided tours on the history of Newbury Street. Newbury Street will be closed to vehicle traffic at the time of the event. The road and sidewalks are paved, but may be uneven. Public restrooms will be available.
7:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Abyssinian Meeting House
75 Newbury Street, Portland, outside
Guests will be led to the street outside of the Abyssinian Meeting House for the performance of E C H O E S featuring Daniel Bernard Roumain alongside local artists Brian J. Evans, Moon Machar, CC Paschal, Samuel James, Veeva Banga, Maya Williams, and Genius Black. Please be mindful of the weather and bring any blankets and lawn chairs you may need to be comfortable during the performance.
E C H O E S will be ASL interpreted
ACCESSIBILITY
All events are self-guided on the eastern side of the Portland peninsula. Those walking will travel paved sidewalks, dirt paths, and hills.
- Eastern Cemetery is a dirt and grass walking tour. Some paths are wide enough for wheeled assistance, with many unmaintained areas of grass.
- Indigo Arts Alliance is accessible by on street parking, with a ramped entrance.
- Newbury Street will be closed to vehicle traffic at the time of the event.
- The road and sidewalks are paved, but may be uneven.
- Public restrooms will be available.
- Please bring any blankets and lawn chairs you may need to be comfortable during the performance.
Sponsored By
Supported By
Alice Ditson Fund of Columbia University
Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Foundation
