WS Chronicle

An immersive performance of poetry, music and dance honoring 160 uyars of freedom 

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In celebration of 160 years of freedom, on May 17 Triad Cultural Arts will proudly present “On the Way to Freedom Day – A Journey in Song,” a powerful, multimedia performance by acclaimed artist Nailah Porter – vocalist, composer, poet, photographer and educator. This immersive experience of poetry, music and dance is a sacred production intended to honor the ancestors and a tribute to the enduring legacy of liberation. 

“On the Way to Freedom Day is my love letter to my Ancestral Mother who survived the Middle Passage,” says Porter. “It is a ceremony of gratitude – a gathering to declare our Ancestors, our community and ourselves as sacred.” 

This celebration of veneration and remembrance will blend soul-stirring musical compositions, evocative spoken word, and expressive movement. The performance features a stellar ensemble of national, local and regional artists, including writer, actor and filmmaker S. Pearl Sharp, featured on the moving piece, “We Still Write Love Poems.”  

“S. Pearl is a cultural treasure, an artist in the truest sense of the word,” says Porter.  

Rayven Leak, the principal dancer, studied dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and went on to receive her BFA in Theater Arts with a concentration in dance from Howard University, and her MFA from Bennington College in Vermont. 

Co-produced by Porter and Grammy Award-winning producer Darryl Swann, the production is a deeply collaborative honoring of the shared experiences of descendants of enslaved Africans through sound, story and spirit. 

As part of the event, audience members will be invited to write the names of their Ancestors on slips of paper provided by ushers. These names will be collected in baskets and read aloud by a “Witness Bearer” in a closing ritual of communal remembrance and reverence. 

Reflecting on the day’s significance, Jordyn Jones of Triad Cultural Arts shared: “There is no celebration more important in the heart of a nation, no moment more important in the history of a people, nor day more important in the life of a person than when they first knew true freedom. To this end, Triad Cultural Arts invites you to celebrate with us. Spend your day, dedicate a moment, and above all – celebrate!” 

A cast meet-and-greet will follow the performance, offering attendees a chance to connect with the artists, reflect on the experience, and engage in community dialogue. 

“On the Way to Freedom Day” will be held on Saturday, May 17, at St. Philips Moravian Church, 911 S. Church St. in Old Salem. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the event begins at 3 p.m. Admission is free.
About Nailah Porter: Originally from North Carolina, Nailah Porter has an international reputation for artistic excellence and genre-defying collaboration. Her debut album “ConJazzNess” was released on EmArcy Records/UMG. She has written or performed with legends including Billy Childs, Beck, Warren G, John Cale, Leon Mobley, and more. 

Triad Cultural Arts, Inc. (TCA) was founded in 2007 as a nonprofit, community-based, multi-disciplinary cultural arts organization. A leader in bringing recognition to Black American history and culture, TCA is dedicated to presenting programming that contributes to a culturally competent community so that significant and lasting improvements can be made in our society. Culturally immersive experiences including festivals, tours and special events are sponsored to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of Black Americans – for all people. Learn more at triadculturalarts.org.