Fri 2/6 @ 8PM
Mon 2/9 @ 7PM
Wed 2/18 @ 7PM
Fri 2/20 @ 7PM
As usual, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is celebrating Black History Month in February. And they’ve got some terrific stuff lined up, starting with a live interview with Rock Hall inductee George Clinton (pictured) of Parliament-Funkadelic, one of funk music’s most innovative and colorful personalities.
The celebration opens Fri 2/6 with a Sonic Sessions Concert Series appearance by British/Sudanese artist Sinkane, known for applying the elastic structures of jazz to funk and soul music and adding some elements of African music. Cleveland’s live hip hop ensemble Muamin Collective, which incorporates some jazz among other things, opens. That takes place on the Rock Hall’s main stage. Tickets are $5.50.
The George Clinton interview happens Mon 2/9, not at the Rock Hall, but on the Tri-C campus at the Black Box Theatre of the Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts. After his conversation, he’ll sign copies of his new book Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You? This is a free program and it’s bound to be entertaining, so grab you tickets quick. Rock Hall members can make reservations starting Mon 2/2 at 10AM; everyone else can get them the following day starting at 10AM.
On Wed 2/18, hip hop photographer Joe Conza and Grandmaster Caz of pioneering hip hop group the Cold Crush Brothers will be at the Rock Hall’s fourth floor Foster Theater to talk about what the scene was like in New York back when MCs rapped about something grittier and compelling than hanging out in the VIP section of a nightclub. Conzo was the official photographer for the Cold Crush Brothers, and 26 of his photos are currently on display at the Rock Hall. That program is free too and will be streamed at the Rock Hall website.
Finally on Fri 2/20, also in the Foster Theater, there’ll be a screening of the film Underground Dance Masters: Final History of a Forgotten Era, accompanied by a lecture/dance demonstration with director Thomas Guzman-Sanchez. That’s also free.
rockhall.com/events/black-history-month/
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44114
Cleveland, OH 44115