Held at the Attucks Theater: 1010 Church Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Experience an unforgettable afternoon at the Black Music & Art Celebration. Witness a legendary conversation between MadSkillz, the Grammy-winning rapper, wordsmith, and torchbearer for Hip-Hop culture, with Torae, songwriter and co-chair of the Black Music Collective. Feel the energy of live performances from the Bobby Blackhat Band, Hot Gumbo Brass Band, Shark City Drum and Dance Corp, Leviticus Gospel Choir, and FORTRESSES Band. Hear from Teens With a Purpose’s newly named Youth Poet Laureates, engage in Music & The Movement with Delegate Jackie Glass, and meet artists from the “Rhythm of the Stage” exhibition in a special conversation with curator Nyree Dowdy, podcaster Kayda Plus, and artist Briana Ariel. Go behind the scenes of today’s music industry with Creatives for Virginia, and explore artwork that reflects the depth, creativity, and influence of Black culture.
This dynamic, free event is a celebration designed to inspire, connect, and uplift. All of this unfolds at the historic Attucks Theatre, one of the nation’s oldest surviving theaters built, owned, and operated by African Americans. For generations, the Attucks has been a vital stage for Black performers and audiences, hosting legendary artists and serving as a cornerstone of cultural life in Norfolk. To gather here is to be part of that ongoing story—honoring a legacy of creativity, resilience, and community while shaping what comes next.
Whether you come for the performances, the conversations, or the sense of community, this is a moment you won’t want to miss. Join us as we honor the past, energize the present, and celebrate the future of Black artistry.
Presented in collaboration with the Chrysler Museum of Art, the City of Norfolk, Norfolk Arts, and Seven Venues.
Free, registration not required.
12 p.m.: Bobby Blackhat Band (mainstage)
12:15 p.m.: Curatorial and Artist Chat with Kayda Plus, Nyree Dowdy, and Briana Ariel (gallery)
12:45 p.m.: Hot Gumbo Brass Band (mainstage)
1 p.m.: Welcome from the NAACP and City Partners (mainstage)
1:15 p.m.: Shark City Drumline (mainstage) and Music & the Movement with Del. Jackie Glass (gallery)
2 p.m.: Leviticus Gospel Choir (mainstage)
2:15 p.m.: Creatives for Virginia Intro to Music Industry (gallery)
3 p.m. Black Music Collective’s Torae & Grammy Winner MadSkillz in conversation on Black music and Hip Hop
4 p.m. FORTRESSES Band
