Be Black Baby: a House Party Presents Michael Jackson 2004

Curated by Uri McMillan and Organized by Simone Leigh and Recess Activities, Inc.

Friday September 10, 2010

5pm – 12am culminating in a dance party with DJ Khary Polk

Participants include Michael Paul Britto, Deville Cohen, Abigail DeVille, LaTasha N. Diggs, Alisha Gaines, Liz Magic Laser, Tavia N’yongo, Lorraine O’Grady, Kenya (Robinson), The Edge School of the Arts, and MC LaToya Ruby Frasier with special thanks to Rashida Bumbray.

September 10, 2010 Uri McMillan will present the b-side of a conference on Michael Jackson. This evening of performance and live tableaux will reinterpret the inaugural Michael Jackson academic conference McMillan organized for Yale University in 2004.

McMillan will invite artists, intellectuals and performers to reassess Jackson’s larger-than-life persona. Turning the staid academic conference inside-out, participants of the updated conference will present a b-side performance; Abigail DeVille’s art installation will act as the keynote speaker and papers will serve as ready-mades delivered by unexpected players.

September 10 Schedule of Events

5:00 – 6:00 Press Preview & Reception, by Invitation

6:00 – 7:00 Open to the public: Keynotes Abigail DeVille & Deville Cohen

7:00 – 9:00 Ready-mades, Papers, Performances

9:00 – 12:00 Dance Party with DJ Khary, Potluck, BYOB

• $5 suggested donation at the door.

Be Black Baby: A House Party Presents is a series organized by Simone Leigh and Recess Activities, Inc. Recess hosted the inaugural Be Black Baby: A House Party Presents on March 13, 2010. This first evening of performance responded to Brian DePalma’s film “Hi Mom” (1970). Taking the film as a point of departure, the series continues to challenge traditional identity politics and question modes of cultural appropriation.