AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER AND MULTI-HYPHENATE CREATIVE
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM FESTIVAL (2014)
Artistically directed by Nolan Williams, Jr.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement and the 175th anniversary of the birth of early Civil Rights activist Octavius Catto, Nolan partnered with the Mann Center for the Performing Arts to develop this six-month, citywide curatorial festival.
(PHOTO CREDIT: N. Lee)
Presenting Partners
African American Museum in Philadelphia
Art Sanctuary
Cheyney University
Church of the Advocate
Curtis Institute of Music
Enon Baptist Church
Mann Center
Mother Bethel AME Church
NEWorks Productions
Philadelphia Boys Choir
Philadelphia Phillies
Temple University
The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Rock School for Dance Education
Union League
WURD Radio
Let Freedom Sing Community Sing
Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, Sanctuary
A capacity crowd gathered for this community jubilee featuring sacred music rendered by Philadelphia's leading church gospel choirs, punctuated by inspiring reflections from four influential religious leaders. Tours of the Richard Allen Museum were also available.
Taste of Freedom Catto Awards Luncheon
Friday, March 28, 2014 | 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Union League of Philadelphia, Lincoln Hall
In celebration of Women's History Month, Taste of Freedom honored local African American women who have made distinguished contributions to their professions and communities.
Freedom of Composition Master Class
Friday, April 18, 2014 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Curtis Institute of Music, Lenfest Hall
Music students from Philadelphia universities were invited participants for this Master Class facilitated by Uri Caine, composer of the commissioned work The Passion of Octavius Catto, which had its world premiere performance for the Philadelphia Freedom Festival finale concert.
Let Freedom Ring Scholarly Panel Discussion
Wednesday, April 30, 2014 | 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Temple University, Mitten Hall
Broadcast live by 900AM-WURD, this engaging discussion joined a diverse set of voices from Philadelphia's academic and activist communities to reflect on the life and impact of Octavius V. Catto. A performance by the Cheyney University Concert Choir followed.
Let Freedom Speak
Voices of Our Children Catto Youth Freedom Project
Friday, May 16, 2014 | 10:00 – 11:00 am
Church of the Advocate
400 Philadelphia students were invited to attend an engaging, celebratory program featuring local young spoken word artists, city-wide choirs and a dance troupe. Presented in partnership with Art Sanctuary's Celebration of Black Writing.
Freedom Rap Session
Saturday, June 7, 2014 | 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Mann Center, Crescendo Restaurant
Local hip-hop artists and scholars who have experienced & studied racism in Philadelphia discussed how the power of music is reflected in their words. Performances by: Nina "Lyrispect" Ball & Hip-Hop Krewe. Presented in partnership with Art Sanctuary.
Gospel Meets Symphony
Philadelphia Freedom Festival Finale Concert featuring Marvin Sapp and The Philadelphia Orchestra
Saturday, July 19, 2014 | 8:00 pm
Mann Center, Main Stage
The festival finale concert featured the world premiere performance of The Passion of Octavius Catto, a commissioned work by Philadelphia composer Uri Caine featuring The Philadelphia Orchestra (POA), soprano Barbara Walker, and the 300-voice festival community choir. The program also featured the world premiere of Nolan's spiritual arrangement, Mind Stayed On Freedom, and inspiring gospel songs rendered by chart-topping artist Marvin Sapp, the orchestra and choir, and praise dancers. André Raphel, conductor. Nolan Williams, Jr., conductor.
A pre-concert event on PECO Plaza featured Catto re-enactor Robert Branch, the Mount Enon Children's Choir, and the "Trailblazers to Freedom Digital Interactive Media Traveling Trunk," presented in partnership with the African-American Museum in Philadelphia.
Freedom Youth Jamboree
Monday, July 28, 2014 | 11:00 am
Mann Center, Main Stage
This free children's concert featured "Catto at the Bat," an original "baseball en pointe" piece by The Rock School for Dance Education, and negro spirituals performed by the Philadelphia Boys Choir. Four Greenfield performance treasures workshops followed, featuring the Philadelphia Boys Choir.
Freedom School Assemblies
Throughout the seven-month festival, in-school assemblies were presented at Philadelphia schools featuring Octavius Catto re-enactor Robert Branch and "Catto at the Bat," the original "baseball en pointe" work by The Rock School for Dance Education. For many attending students, this was their first introduction to the untold story of Catto and their first experience of seeing the dance art of ballet.