Black Community Night: Lady Day

Black Community Night at the Arvada Center encourages Black audiences to enjoy a night of theatre together created and directed by Black artists while building community and supporting the arts.

Black Community Night is about creating an intentionally welcoming space for Black audiences to experience a Black story together. We’re dedicating this performance date to generating a space for Black individuals to engage with the performance in ways that are authentic to them.

Use the code LADYNIGHT to purchase tickets for this performance!

About the production:

The time is 1959. The place is a seedy bar in Philadelphia. The audience is about to witness one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, given four months before her death.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill takes you inside the heart of this unforgettable evening. With iconic songs like “Strange Fruit” and “God Bless the Child,” this intimate cabaret experience brings the soul and struggle of one of jazz’s greatest legends to life.

Through her poignant voice and moving songs, one of the greatest jazz singers of all-time shares her loves and her losses.

WHAT: Black Community Night at the Arvada Center encourages Black audiences to enjoy a night of theatre together created and directed by Black artists while building community and supporting the arts.

Black and Black identifying people have far too often been made to feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in many theatres across Colorado, and the United States. In hosting this community night event, the Arvada Center works to join a growing movement among theaters to hold space for audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds and affinities.

WHO: All people who self identify as Black, and their guests, are specifically invited to attend. It is encouraged that folks outside of the Black community join us on another night!

WHEN: Black Community Night of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is Friday, October 24 at 7:30 pm, followed by a community conversation with the cast.

HOW: If you are a member of the Black Community and would like to attend this event, please use code LADYCOM to purchase tickets for this event at a group rate. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone at 720-898-7200, or in person at the Arvada Center Box Office.

Creative Team

Band:

Jodel Charles: Piano (appearing as Jimmy Powers)

Matt Campbell: Drums

Carl Jackson: Bass

Director: Christopher Page-Sanders

Musical Director: Jodel Charles

Scenic Design: Brian Mallgrave

Costume, Wig & Makeup Design: Jocelen Barnett Smith

Lighting Design: Jon Olson

Sound Design: Jason Ducat

Dialect Coach: Rachel Finley

Stage Management: Wessie Simmons, Nick Nyquist

Artistic Director: Lynne Collins

Associate Artistic Director: Kenny Moten