On June 27th of 1872, Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio. For this special Dunbar 150 milestone event, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park along with numerous community partners will honor Dunbar, showcase his contributions to poetry, the arts, music, dance and culture.Saturday, June 25, 5pm – Dunbar Sesquicentennial Celebration at the historic Victoria Theatre. Dr. Gene Andrew Jarrett, keynote speaker and author of Paul Laurence Dunbar: The Life and Times of a Caged Bird, will be featured in the celebration along with an entire Dunbar community of entertainers and performers. Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin, Ms. Laverne Sci, Ted Lange, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, University of Dayton Department of Music, the Tuskegee University Golden Voices Choir, and other special guests will come together for ensemble performances of his masterful work and moving compositions.
Tickets are just $10 for this 2 and 1/2 hour event featuring poetry, music and dance.
Sunday, June 26 – Paul Laurence Dunbar Birthday Party at the Dunbar House – 1:00 pm– 4:00 pm. Learn more: https://fb.me/e/1uYL9tSGn
Sunday, June 26 – Wright-Dunbar Day neighborhood party – 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the neighborhood around the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center – 16 S. Williams St. Learn more:
There is also an exhibition inspired by Dunbar’s life and work on display at The Dayton Art Institute now through September 4 (and admission will be free on Sunday, June 26)! This Focus Exhibition showcases artists’ responses to Dunbar, his life and work. It is part of the Dayton and state-wide “Dunbar150 Project,” through which multiple organizations will help shine a light on Dunbar’s literary contributions and help tell the story of his life and legacy.