Center for African American History, Art, & Culture

Contact us at 208-A The Alley, Aiken, SC (803) 649-2221 e-mail CAAHAC

The Center for African-American History, Art, & Culture

ABOUT THE CENTER

The Immanuel Institute Building, one of Aiken County, South Carolina’s most historic landmarks, is the site for the Center for African American History, Art & Culture (CAAHAC), founded by a visionary group of Aiken residents. The goal of the center is to preserve and present the cultural legacy of the African American Diaspora and chronicle the many contributions of African Americans to Aiken and neighboring regions.

The CAAHAC (www.aikenculturalcenter.org) will create a nexus of art, history and culture, and showcase interactive technology-based visitor attractions as well as utilize artists and performers for exhibits, demonstrations and workshops that complement Aiken’s other wonderful cultural offerings.

As an educational resource focused largely on Aiken’s unknown local history and culture, the CAAHAC endeavors to enhance Aiken’s African American population’s involvement in the arts and serve as a forum for celebrating the county’s diversity and sense of community, encouraging multiple generations to grow together in a shared past and united future.

more CAAHAC...

The Immanuel Institute is located at 120 York Street NE Aiken, SC 29801.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Friday, October 6, 2006 :: 8:00pm

Count Basie Orchestra

Etherredge Center, University of South Carolina - Aiken

- please check back for updates-

PAST SPECIAL EVENTS

Wynton Marsalis "Magic Hour" @ USC-Aiken:: 8pm :: April 12, 2005

AWARD-WINNING JAZZ ARTIST WYNTON MARSALIS TO PERFORM BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE NEW CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, ART & CULTURE

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA, March 30, 2005-- Wynton Marsalis, one of the world’s most renowned musicians and composers, will lend his talents in a concert to benefit the Center for African American History, Art & Culture, at the Etherredge Center at the University of South Carolina-Aiken (USCA) on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $75-125 and are available at the Etherredge Center Box Office 803-641-3305.

Marsalis, having become the first jazz artist to be granted the Pulitzer Prize in music in 1997, is an eight-time Grammy Award winner. He co-founded and currently serves as the artistic director for the Jazz at Lincoln Center program, among his other vast musical achievements and contributions.

Wynton Marsalis: USC-Aiken, 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 641-3305

Lecture: Black Sacred Music

CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, ART & CULTURE PRESENTS FIRST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WITH BLACK SACRED MUSIC LECTURE AND JAZZ MASTER CLASS

Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., will present a lecture on Black Sacred Music at 10:00am on April 12 at Second Baptist Church of Aiken, SC. This lecture is appropriate for music, history, and theology buffs as it explores the interrelationship between and development of all three topics. The lecture will last approximately 40 minutes and will be followed immediately by a master class on jazz improvisation.

Rev. Wright is pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL, and holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary, a Master’s degree from Howard University, an additional Master’s degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School and seven honorary doctorate degrees. He has lectured at many seminaries and universities in the nation, and has represented Trinity and The United Church of Christ around the world. He is recognized as a leading theologian and pastor and has published four books and numerous articles.

Rev. Wright will also be the featured speaker at Second Baptist's Spring Revival on April 11, 13, and 14 at 7:00pm nightly.

Lecture: Second Baptist Church, 425 Hampton Avenue, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 644-3994

Master Class: Vocal Approaches to (JAZZ) Improvisation

CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, ART & CULTURE PRESENTS FIRST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WITH BLACK SACRED MUSIC LECTURE AND JAZZ MASTER CLASS

Wycliffe Gordon, will present a master class on Vocal Approaches to (JAZZ) Improvisation at 10:45am on April 12 at Second Baptist Church of Aiken, SC. This master class is appropriate for students and lovers of music, especially jazz. After a brief exploration of the history and development of jazz music, Gordon will perform an interactive demonstration involving all participants.

Gordon enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. Gordon tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight- ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students.

Gordon is rapidly becoming one of America’s most persuasive and committed music educators. Currently serving on the faculty of the newly established Jazz Studies Program at The Juilliard School and serves as Artist-In-Residence at the School of Music at Michigan State University. His work with young musicians and audiences from elementary schools to universities all over the world is extensive, and includes masterclasses, clinics, workshops, children’s concerts and lectures — powerful evidence of his unique ability to relate musically to people of all ages.

Master Class: Second Baptist Church, 425 Hampton Avenue, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 644-3994

Wynton Marsalis "Magic Hour" Sponsors

Concert Sponsors include: University of South Carolina - Aiken, WJBF Channel 6, A B Beverage, Aiken Standard, Regions Bank, Red Wolf Inc., Clear Channel Communications, West Augusta Surgical Associates, Everett Chandler, L B Daniels, MD, Ansermo Arthur, MD.