Nina Simone

The Nina Simone Experience Goes Beyond the Music
A Unique Arts Series Begins this Spring in Atlanta, GA

(Atlanta, GA) The Nina Simone Estate has responded to resurgent Nina Simone interest by developing a multi-genre arts series titled: The Nina Simone Experience. The multi-faceted tribute to the American music icon includes a fine art exhibition; a fashion show; interactive panel discussions; an evening of spoken word poetry, dance and performance art and of course music. The series also includes a special preview exhibition of student works presented by The Art Institute of Atlanta.

The Nina Simone Experience will take place from April 16th through April 25th in Atlanta’s historic West End Community. There will be an opening gala and collector’s preview on April 16th with scheduled activities daily through April 25th at Space Atlanta & Thirteen TEN Events both located at 1310 White Street.

Anthony R. Page, the Committee Chair and Project Manager, says “We are doing something a little bit different here. Of course we will honor Dr. Simone through her music, but fashion gives us a chance to look at and explore the context of her style while the visual artists will interpret or represent their own ideas / relationship to Nina Simone.”

E. Joyce Moore, national curator of the visual art exhibition said: “This is an exciting fine art exhibition. Artists from across the nation, a few from across the globe, were invited to participate. We have included many artists from Georgia as well. The diversity in art, artists and genre reflects the complexity of Dr. Simone as a person, a musician and the historical impact of her work.”

Perhaps the most personal recognition of the High Priestess of Soul will come from her daughter (Simone), who is a globetrotting singer and actress in her own right, carving out a distinctive legacy in Broadway shows such as Rent, Aida, Les Miserables and The Lion King. She said “I’m in a unique position, as my career has my days filled but as an only child, I know that mommy’s legacy rests squarely on my shoulders. Sometimes it can be a daunting task, being the steward of a legacy as large as Nina Simone, while carrying my own. As so many who have come before me, I know I have to be up to the challenge, but I’m not alone, mommy is with me. So I continue.” During the series she will sing a special collection of songs that have been meaningful to her and the late music icon.

“Atlanta has truly responded to this initiative and will set a great precedence for what we will do in other cities. For example, Czarnowski, an exhibit and event services company has helped us craft an event suited to Nina’s legend. And The Art Institute of Atlanta is one of our greatest relationships. They continue to partner with us in a multitude of ways,” Page acknowledged. As a leader in arts education, the college has developed a student art exhibition that will open on March 11 at the college’s gallery in Sandy Springs. Many faculty and students in other academic departments have become involved in various program activities and have been directly involved in the design, development and overall production of this event.

There are other components to the series as Dr. Rosetta Ross, an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Spelman College, will coordinate a panel examining Nina Simone’s legacy and black women’s identities. Spelman College will host the panel. Anthony Joiner, known across Atlanta for his witty and thought provoking newsletter The A Spot, has planned a one of a kind evening that includes some of Atlanta’s most talented spoken word artists, dancers and up and coming vocalists. Joiner recounts the Nina song as he declares, “This event is gon’ be ‘Funkier than a Mosquito’s Tweeter.”

The ‘Experience’ will also be an occasion to reach out to students. The project team has planned guided tours that will give youth a unique experience of art and history. Page reminds us that “…this was important to Nina. She was inspired as a child and always wanted to inspire other young people. Throughout the entire series we hope the public will get a richer, more engaging sense of Nina Simone, not just the music, but what motivated the music and how it resonates with us today.”

The project team will also gather personal reflections, build a database and collect other meaningful anecdotes. The team expects to expand the project vision as they move from city to city.

Over the last few years, there have been dozens of tributes and remembrances celebrating the High Priestess of Soul. These activities have spawned a renewed Nina Simone chatter amongst fans and aficionados around the world. “Every where I go, so many people have come up to me, telling me their Nina stories,” says Simone, Nina’s only child. “They loved her, but at the end of her life, I don’t think mommy really felt that love, so I knew I had to do something.”

For more information visit the website: www.ninasimone.com. For information about Simone, visit www.simonesworld.com. For interviews please contact anthonyrpage@yahoo.com or 404-786-3277.

Other Nina Simone activity across the World:

• Sing the Truth Tour: Goes to Hong Kong, Australia & New Zealand

http://www.pollstar.com/resultsArtist.aspx?ID=226074

• Nina Simone Statue & Plaza in her hometown of Tryon, NC:

http://www.ninasimoneproject.org/

• Young, Gifted & Black Awards Ceremony in New York City:

http://www.ygbawards.com/

• The Nina Simone Experience at the Westobou Festival in Augusta, GA:

http://www.westoboufestival.com/

• Simone on Simone Concert in Paramus, NJ

http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/2010012609031382