The Kennedy Center Announces Questlove: Creative Quest Discussion and Book Signing

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced Questlove: Creative Quest, a one-night-only discussion and book signing event on April 28. Questlove-musician, bandleader, designer, producer, culinary entrepreneur, professor, founding Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council member, and all-around cultural omnivore-will discuss his new book (released on April 24) and share his thoughts on the topics of creativity, inspiration, and originality with special guest Sanford Biggers, visual and interdisciplinary artist and moderator Ben Greenman (co-author, Mo' Meta Blues).

Creative Quest is a one of a kind guide to living your best creative life, synthesizing all the creative philosophies, lessons, and stories he has heard from the many creators and collaborators in his life and reflecting on his own experience, to advising readers and fans on how to consider creativity and where to find it. He addresses many topics-what it means to be creative, how to find a mentor and serve as an apprentice, the wisdom of maintaining a creative network, coping with critics and the foibles of success, and the specific pitfalls of contemporary culture-all in the service of guiding admirers who have followed his career and newcomers not yet acquainted with his story.

Whether discussing his own life or channeling the lessons he has learned from forefathers such as George Clinton, collaborators like D'Angelo, or like-minded artists including Ava DuVernay, David Byrne, Björk, and others, Questlove speaks with the candor and enthusiasm that fans have come to expect. Creative Quest is many things-above all, a wise and wide-ranging conversation around the eternal mystery of creativity.

ABOUT QUESTLOVE
Drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and member of The Roots - Questlove, is the unmistakable heartbeat of Philadelphia's most influential hip-hop group. He is the Musical Director for TheTonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where his beloved Roots crew serves as house band. Beyond that, this 4-time GRAMMY Award winning musician's indisputable reputation has landed him musical directing positions with everyone from D'Angelo to Eminem to Jay-Z. Questlove has also released two books including the New York Times bestseller Mo' Meta Blues and Soul Train: The Music, Dance and Style of a Generation. One of his latest endeavors includes scoring Chris Rock's film, Top Five, and also working as the music supervisor. He also recently produced the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hamilton, alongside Alex Lacamoire, Bill Sherman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Tarik "Black Thought" Trotter. He will also serve as the Executive Music Producer and Composer on the A&E Mini Series "Roots."

Questlove made his way into the culinary world with his signature "Love's Drumstick." Currently, he is hosting a series of Food Salons with world-renowned and innovative chefs at his Financial District apartment in the NY by Gehry building. Questlove has appeared as a Guest Judge on Top Chef Season 11, his interest in food and his own culinary endeavors have been featured on the cover of New York Magazine, in Food & Wine Magazine, Bon Appétit, and seen on The View, Watch What Happens Live, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He is a Celebrity Ambassador for Food Bank For New York City, is on the City Harvest Food Council, a board member of Edible Schoolyard, and the first Artist-in-Residence at the Made in NY Media Center. Questlove is also a Founding Member of the CAPA Foundationin Philadelphia.

ABOUT SANDFORD BIGGERS

Sanford Biggers' practice encompasses installation, film, drawing, sculpture, andperformance. He examines well-recognized social, political, and cultural topics which he reinterprets to highlight new narratives. His work is as visually compelling as it isconceptually complex, taking viewers on a journey from the initial aesthetic encounter though embedded layers of meaning to create what he terms, "a future ethnography." Biggers' diverse body of work includes quilts, collages, and sculptures that explore American history and symbolism. Biggers is also the creative director of Moon Medicin, a multimedia concept band that straddles visual art and music with
performances staged against a backdrop of curated sound effects and video.

About the Hip Hop Culture Program at The Kennedy Center

With Hip Hop Culture serving as one of our nation's greatest cultural assets and ambassadors, The Hip Hop Culture programs at the Kennedy Center recognizes Hip Hop's contributions to global culture and its power to build and transform communities through art and action. Through this programmatic platform, the Center aims to create a dynamic home for Hip Hop Culture and celebrate Hip Hop's role as a catalyst for innovation, exploration and transformation with a dynamic mix of performances, humanities events, film screenings, workshops and interactive experiences, in person and online. In 2016, The Kennedy Center appointed iconic rapper, producer, and DJ Q-Tip as its first Artistic Director of Hip Hop Culture.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets will be available on April 16 at 10 a.m. All ticket buyers will receive a copy ofCreative Quest included in the price of their ticket. Tickets will be available at the Kennedy Center box office, by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600, or through the Kennedy Center website at www.kennedy-center.org.

For more information about the Kennedy Center, visit www.kennedy-center.org.

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