ArtsWave's Flow puts Black art center stage
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A Flow pass unlocks a variety of Black art. Photo: Courtesy of ArtsWave
From John Coltrane to John Lewis, Black stories are taking over Cincinnati stages and galleries starting Thursday as ArtsWave's latest Flow season begins.
Why it matters: ArtsWave launched Flow in 2020 to connect a diverse audience with Black artists and experiences across disciplines and venues.
- "It's a really cool way to just see some great stuff and meet some new people," ArtsWave spokesperson Ryan Strand tells Axios.
How it works: A Flow Pass gets you into four experiences at various local arts institutions spanning jazz, theater, visual art and opera.
- Each begins with an exclusive "Flow Social" featuring food, drinks and programming tied to the event.
- The socials are only available to Flow passholders.
What's on tap: The season kicks off on Thursday at the Aronoff Center with Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves celebrating what would have been jazz legend John Coltrane's 100th birthday.
- Thursday, Feb. 11, 2027, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's "The African Company Presents Richard III" tells the true story of an all-Black theater troupe trying to stage Shakespeare in 1821 while a rival white theater mounted a competing production blocks away.
- The Taft Museum of Art will host a curator-led experience exploring the legacy of pioneering Black artist Robert S. Duncanson and his historic murals at the museum on a TBD date next spring.
- Cincinnati Opera's world premiere of "John Lewis: Good Trouble," about the late civil rights leader and congressman, caps the Flow season June 18, 2027. It's the second installment in the Opera's three-work Black Opera Project.
The last word: Strand says the socials are building their own community of arts lovers who might otherwise stick to their usual theater, museum or concert crowd.
- "It's almost like building a community of people."
If you go: Flow passes are $195 at ArtsWave.org/flow.