The African American Music Association in partnership with the Anacostia Arts Center presents “MOTOWN DC”
A Photographic & Memorabilia Exhibition in Washington, DC
Washington, DC – The African American Music Association (AAMA) in partnership with the Anacostia Arts Center in Washington, DC is honored to present “Motown DC” a gallery exhibition featuring a display of photographs and memorabilia collections of legendary Motown artists by curator Beverly Lindsay-Johnson and co-curator Nikki Graves Henderson.
The “Motown DC” exhibition will be on display from Thursday May 2 – Tuesday July 7, 2024, at the
Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Avenue, SE (formerly Good Hope Road, SE) in Washington, DC, Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00p.m. – 5:00p.m. The Opening Reception will take place on Friday, May 3 at the Anacostia Arts Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The exhibition, free and open to the public, will display 90+ photographs of legendary Motown artists such as The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha & The Vandellas, The Velvelettes, The Marvelettes, Mary Wells, Stevie Wonder, and other music legends of Motown. Also on display will be personal items on loan by a number of original Motown artists, and historic Globe Posters promoting the famous 1964 Motortown Revue.
A significant portion of the display entitled “DC and Motown” will recognize musicians originating from Washington, DC who were also part of the Motown sound. They include The Dynamic Superiors, The Young Senators band (the recording and touring band for Eddie Kenricks during his solo career), Glenn Leonard of The Temptations (1975-1983), Joe Herndon of The Temptations (2003-2015), Stacy Lattisaw, Johnny Gil, and of course, Marvin Gaye. These talents made DC proud.
In conjunction with the exhibition, on Saturday May 18, 2024, from 2:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. in the Anacostia Arts Center BlackBox Theater, there will be a public program, “Motown DC: In Discussion, Song and Dance”. This special panel discussion will include DC Motown artists George Spann of The Dynamic Superiors, Jimi Dougans of The Young Senators band, and Joe Herndon former member of the Temptations. Also, Detroit Motown artists Louvain Demps (a member of the legendary Motown female background singers “The Andantes” that recorded background on 20,000 recordings) and Carolyn Crawford (“Forget About Me”) who signed a contract with Motown at the age of 14 in 1963. The discussion moderator is Dr. Nick of ATX Soul Radio. The program includes vocal performances by Ignatius Mason and Karen Linette in a tribute to Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell and Mary Wells, and a rare performance by Carolyn Crawford. A DC Hand Dance Showcase by the National Hand Dance Association Classic Hand Dancers. The program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Registration is required on Eventbrite.com beginning April 18.
Motown founder Berry Gordy introduced the world to his vision of the “sound of Motown” in the late 1950s. Under his direction, Motown produced and released some of the most talented sounds by young vocalists, musicians, producers, and songwriters. America was listening and dancing to the sounds of Motown on juke boxes and transistor radios. Motown was the music of a generation that still touches the hearts of post-1960s “teenagers” and is now being listened to by today’s music lovers.
Funding is provided by a grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The African American Music Association and the Anacostia Arts Center are East of the River 501(c3) non-profit organizations.
For interviews or more information contact Beverly Lindsay-Johnson@202-552-0000