Afro-Sonic features Blackdove and Mikedelick, artists who craft explorative DJ sets grounded in the sound of deep house, but mixed in the spirit of breaking down the barriers of genre. Black Rep drummer in residence, Sidy Maïga, a percussionist from Bamako, Mali, West Africa, enhances the night with electrifying Dun Dun and Djembe.Don’t forget we’re now open at 5pm for all you after-work folks! DJs Jackson Morley and Micah Salkind spin some PB&Jams until the theater folks take over. 

Crowned the future folk-soul hero by Complex Magazine for his vocals on Prince Paul’s Politics of the Business album, Ellington is using every weapon in his arsenal to resuscitate soul music. Prince Paul says of W. Ellington Felton, or Dub Ell, as he’s known in his native Washington, DC, “He’s a real talented brother, a Renaissance cat, who paints, writes, does books. He’s one of those Sammy Davis, Jr. types, but on kind of a millennium style.”DJ George Langford warms up the Xxodus Café starting at 5pm with rare grooves, Brazilian soul, and a heaping spoonfull of funk.

Imagine Trinidadian Carnival on 125th Street in Harlem with a Fela Kuti soundtrack. That picture is how we like to imagine our Saturday night Neon Soul Cabaret. This week the Neon Soul Collective takes the stage!For Audio Clips and More Info on The Neon Soul Collective Click Here!

Polyphonic is a forum that unifies emcees, instrumentalists and poets. The legacy of Black Rep’s original public program, Xxodus Presents Miss Fannie’s Soul Food Kitchen, it is weekly all-ages forum that features a free-writing hour for aspiring artists, an open mic geared not only towards poets and rappers, but also to vocalists and instrumentalists, and opportunities for participants to sign up in advance to showcase themselves as part of the evening programming. Local artists can find community and develop their work right here in the Xxodus Café! Contact Chachi at beme@tmail.com to find out about getting involved!Click Here for Chachi’s Myspace

The Caribbean Cultural series is a demonstration of the Afro- Caribbean connection. It puts a face and a sound to Caribbean musicians as part of the African Diaspora while further connecting the social, cultural and political relations between these musicians and the nature of their musical influences.Check Out Our Myspace For More Info

Latin Jazz & Salsa is a demonstration of the Afro-Latino connection. It puts a face and a sound to Latin musicians as part of the African Diaspora while further connecting the social, cultural and political relations between these musicians and the nature of their musical influences.Our new Salsa instructor, Sydonee Harris, has been called by some the best in Rhode Island. Come see for yourself at 8pm for an additional charge of only $2.00 Salsa lessons are followed by live Latin Jazz & Salsa performed by our resident artists, Carlos De Leon and Clave Logic.

As an arts organization with a dual mission, both artistic and civic, the Education Department at the Providence Black Repertory Company looks at the intersection between arts, culture, social change and education. Our education programs develop youth and adults who recognize the importance and power of the arts and culture of the African diaspora and embrace the values of community and democracy that are part of these traditions.How do we do it? Black Rep artist educators teach workshops in music, dance, theater, poetry and video production rooted in art forms of the African diaspora. They also use methodologies which stress collective collaboration and value students’ cultural heritage and experience. Most importantly Black Rep raises funds for arts programming so cost is not a barrier to participation.

The Xxodus Café can be rented for parties, performances, and anything else you can imagine. To find out our rates and policies, please contact Rentals Coordinator Michaelle Saintil at rentals@blackrep.org or 401-351-0353 x106. 

Check out Black Rep’s newest outreach tool, magazine, and program guide with a click on the Black Notes logo above. Thanks goes to all of the contributers, Rhode Island Council for the Humanities-supported Black Rep scholar in residence, Nehassaiu De Gannes for all of her hard work editting and connecting the dots for Black Notes 2.0 not to mention designer Jason Tranchida at Llama Product for his excellent design.To find out how you can contribute your writing, photography, poetry, art and more to Black Notes email Public Programs Coordinator Micah Salkind at Micah@blackrep.org.

We are currently seeking a new Development Coordinator! Click here to see the job description and find out how you can apply!