New multi-media work Inspired by the cotton photography of Philadelphia artist John Dowell

COTTON

All purchase-in-advance tickets for COTTON are sold. Peripheral seating and standing room can be purchased at the door for $20.

For its 20th Anniversary LF has commissioned an extraordinary new song cycle by Damien Geter that brings together music, poetry, and the fine art photography of John Dowell. Featuring Metropolitan Opera stars Denyce Graves and Justin Austin, and with Laura Ward, piano.

Acclaimed Philadelphia artist John Dowell felt called by his grandmother in a dream to travel to the cotton fields in South Carolina where his ancestors had likely been enslaved. Thus began an exploration and journey into the world of cotton, where over the past 10 years, Dowell has produced an ever-evolving body of amazing and evocative work. LF’s “COTTON,” is inspired by this photography. Dowell’s work explores, in penetrating super-imposed images, both African American ancestral survival strategies and the wealth of this nation, seen through the lens of the cotton industry. In this spellbinding, multi-media event Dowell’s photography will surround the audience on enormous screens of constantly changing images.

LF has commissioned eight nationally renowned voices of the 21st century, each of whom has responded to Dowell’s photography with a new poem which is set to music by composer Damien Geter:
Charlotte Blake Alston, Nikki Giovanni, Afaa Michael Weaver, Trapeta Mayson, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Lauren Alleyne, Alora Young, and Glenis Redmond. The poets will all be presented in video reading their own poem in the context of the performance.

*COTTON will be presented at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater by Washington Performing Arts on February 28, 2023, following the Philadelphia premiere. Single tickets for the Kennedy Center performance will be available to the public after Labor Day here.

Where
When
The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
For your convenience for street parking in West Philadelphia, please give the MeterUp app a try. There are a number of nearby garages and lots, including these two: LAZ parking, 3665 Market Street - entance on the north side of Market. The lot is open 24/7 with sliding rates and discounted evening and weekend rates. Call LAZ parking at 215-823-7870 for more information. Walnut 38 Park, 38th & Walnut Streets – entrance on the east side of 38th. This garage is open 7 days a week – 6:30am. Call Penn Parking at 215-898-8667 for more information.
February 25, 2023 @ 7:30 pm
Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, D.C.
February 28, 2023 @ 7:30 pm