Essex Hemphill: Remembering And Reimagining Comes to BAM, Thursday, May 9

On May 9, BAM and PEN America present a special, one-night-only event, Essex Hemphill: Remembering and Reimagining, a conversation and film screening exploring the life and career of the uncompromising poet and activist who gave voice to the experiences of black gay men during the 1980s and 1990s. The evening is a co-presentation by BAM Film and Humanities; BAM Humanities is a forum for adventurous ideas, providing context for the cultural experience of BAM and beyond, through talks, master classes, discussion series, and innovative literary programs facilitating engagement and discovery.

In his artistic work, Hemphill explored the interplay of race, identity, and politics during the rise of AIDS. Both poet and performer, Hemphill inspired a generation of artists, activists, and readers, notably in his collaboration with Joseph Beam on the anthology Brother to Brother. This event will explore how Hemphill's work reverberates across the decades and how his legacy has influenced activist artists from the 1980s through the present.

The program begins with a conversation between writer Timothy DuWhite, artist and writer Ni'Ja Whitson, and filmmaker and academic Michelle Parkerson, moderated by writer-activist Darnell Moore. The evening continues with screenings of Black Is...Black Ain't and the short Anthem, both featuring Hemphill and directed by his friend and collaborator Marlon Riggs. These screenings are part of the series Black 90s: A Turning Point in American Cinema, running May 3-22. (Separate release to come.)

Essex Hemphill: Remembering and Reimaging is presented as part of the PEN World Voices Festival. Hemphill's writing will also be featured in the upcoming NY permiere of Triptych (Eyes of One on Another), presented June 6-8 as part of the BAM Winter/Spring Season.

Brooklyn Academy Of Music (BAM) is recognized internationally for its innovative programming of dance, music, theater, opera, and film. Its mission is to be the home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas. BAM presents leading national and International Artists and companies in its annual Winter/Spring Season and highlights groundbreaking, contemporary work in the performing arts with its Next Wave Festival each fall. Founded in 1983, the Next Wave is one of the world's most important festivals of contemporary performing arts. BAM Film features new, independent film releases and a curated repertory film program. In 2012, BAM added a third venue, the Richard B. Fisher Building to its campus, providing an intimate and flexible 250-seat performance venue--the Fishman Space--as well as the Hillman Studio, a rehearsal and performance space. BAM Humanities and BAM Education serve New York City's diverse population through community events, literary series, and a wide variety of educational and family programs. BAM, America's oldest performing arts center, has presented performances since 1861, and attracts an audience of more than 750,000 people each year. The organization is led by President Katy Clark and Artistic Director David Binder. Visit BAM.org.

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