"From Emmett Till To SNCC & Beyond: Words + Music + Art" at Highways Performance Space

This special live performance SOLD OUT benefit on SATURDAY, OCT. 11, 2025 @ 8:30 pm is to support Highways Performance Space ("Highways"), that like many arts/cultural nonprofits has been impacted by dramatic cuts to arts/culture funds. The Benefit is also Vol. III of Highways’ famed Emmett Till performance / visual artists collective series. This year it also marks both the 70th commemoration of Emmett Till's 1955 murder that galvanized the Civil Rights Movement, and the 65th Anniversary of SNCC's founding by college students—like future SNCC Chair & Congressman, John Lewis—that organized historic sit-ins, Freedom Rides & voting rights campaigns in the Jim Crow South. This benefit is being held in October, because SNCC's 1st conference was October 14 - 16, 1960. Performances include the late Lifetime Achievement Grammy winner, Gil Scott-Heron's daughter, Gia Scott-Heron star of Off-Broadway's "Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology".

THE “WORDS” | In addition to Ms. Scott-Huron, “From Emmett Till to SNCC & Beyond: Words + Music + Art” will not only include formidable pieces performed by real life history-makers SNCC member/artist-activist, Peggy Trotter Dammond Preacely (with her own Black History family ties) and Freedom Summer student-activist/CORE advocate, David Crittendon, but powerful original works performed by award-winning theatre icon, Brian Freeman; performance artist-director-choreographer, Joyce Guy (also a LA Drama Critics Circle choreographer winner); and stage stalwart, Babe Evans (and wife of the beloved late actor, Art Evans), will play a gripping character that manifests throughout the evening. Also, special performance videos will feature revered multidisciplinary performing artist-writer, Paul Outlaw and celebrated L.A.-based poet, Pam Ward, who was selected to a coveted spot in the Paris/LA 2024 “Literary Olympics” Catch The Mic Program”.

THE “MUSIC” | The evening will be infused with moving and empowering live music by: electrifying multicultural all-female voice & drum group, ADAAWE; lauded singer-writer-performance/visual artist, Marc Broyard; and “Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology” cast member, Art.Us Mansoir, who will join Ms. Scott-Heron for a music number. Among other music performances will be a captivating music/multimedia piece by popular L.A. singer-songwriter, Jason Luckett.

THE “ART” | Highways is also honored that in the Highways Gallery will be select work by legend Charles Dickson, artist-activist icon, Candace Hunter and renowned artist, Toni Scott, along with established artists Lori Antoinette and Robert Stuart Lowden, as well as Broyard... And in homage to both Emmett’s youth and the students that started SNCC, in the Gallery will be a work by late teen aspiring artist, Justin Carr. And in the live program will be thematically compelling work by fêted artist, Hana Ward, digitally incorporated in a narrative for what will be an extraordinary evening of words + music + art. Speaking of the benefit's live program, the live performances are directed by “Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology” Off-Broadway director, Phylliss Bailey Brooks.

"From Emmett Till to SNCC & Beyond: Words + Music + Art” Benefit is for ONE NIGHT ONLY at 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Highways Performance Space & Gallery at 1651 18th Street in Santa Monica, CA on the 18th St. Arts Center complex (the cross street is Olympic Blvd). WE ARE SOLD OUT! Thanks to everyone for their support!