The NCMA presents Kamasi Washington and Sun Ra Arkestra, with Dawn Richard: An Afrofuturist Concert

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this Saturday’s Afrofuturist concert has been canceled. All tickets will be refunded in full. Please allow 48 hours for processing. Thank you for your understanding.

Join us for an incredible Afrofuturist concert featuring legendary cross-genre and Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, the Sun Ra Arkestra—band of the late, great Afrofuturist pioneer Sun Ra—and wide-ranging talent Dawn Richard, formerly of Danity Kane, in a three-act performance celebrating Afrofuturism in connection with the NCMA’s exhibition Ruth E Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.

About Kamasi Washington
Kamasi Washington is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer born and raised in Los Angeles. His three bodies of work to date—The Epic; Harmony of Difference, an EP originally commissioned for the 2017 Whitney Biennial; and Heaven and Earth—are among the most acclaimed of the past decade. Washington has released two films: As Told To G/D Thyself, a short film companion to Heaven and Earth that debuted at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, and the concert film Kamasi Washington Live at the Apollo Theater in partnership with Amazon Music. In 2020 Washington scored Becoming, Netflix’s documentary profiling First Lady Michelle Obama, and was nominated for Grammy and Emmy awards for his contributions. Washington has toured the world over and collaborated and shared stages with Kendrick Lamar, Florence and the Machine, Herbie Hancock, and many more.

About Sun Ra Arkestra
For half the 20th century, iconic jazz bandleader Sun Ra helmed one of the planet’s most exciting big bands. Entertaining audiences from the pyramids to the Hollywood Bowl, the visionary pianist/composer took his acclaimed Arkestra everywhere. When Ra passed in 1993 at the age of 79, the group knew it was paramount to sustain his work. Marshall Allen, inventive saxophonist and the brigade’s key lieutenant since the late 1950s, has directed the beloved group to some of its highest heights. Sun Ra Arkestra live shows combine big band swing, outer space jazz, dancing, singing, chanting, and Afro-pageantry. With their interstellar robes, celestial chants, and onstage theatrics, the Arkestra’s presentation is a mind-blowing affair that keeps fans returning show after show. If you find Earth boring, filled with the same old thing, it’s time to join the “outer-spaceways” crew for a night of fun.

About Dawn Richard

Dawn Richard treats Louisiana Creole culture, New Orleans bounce, and Southern swag as elemental, allowing her to weave in and out of house, footwork, R&B, and more. As a founding member of Danity Kane and later with Diddy’s Dirty Money, Richard explored the ins and outs of commercial pop music. As a solo artist, she opted to self-release her music. Over the span of five critically acclaimed full-length albums, Richard has shown she will not bow down or bend to industry norms. She comments, “You never see women appreciated as producers and artists alike—especially Black women in the electronic space. The time is now for us to start recognizing their talent, not only in electronic music but in all genres. I wanna be the reason why a young Black girl from the South can be whoever she wants to be musically, visually, and artistically.”

Musician Photo and Recording Policy

No flash or professional photography allowed. No video or audio recording of any kind allowed.

No smoking allowed inside venue gates.

• Concert policies and answers to frequently asked questions
• Venue map

Do you or a family member need a general accommodation for your visit? Contact the visitor experience team at help@ncmuseum.org.

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Presented by

Photo of Dawn Richard: Petros Koy
Other photos: Courtesy of the artists

Picnic in the Park
Preorder picnic boxes for Park Theater events. Picnics are individual boxes filled with sandwiches, salads, sides, and bottled water. Additional beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks, and kombucha, are available on-site for purchase. Members save 10% on applicable food and beverage items with code MEMBER.

No time to order? No worries! We have a full concession menu in the Park Theater featuring a variety of hot and cold items. Cold drinks, beer, wine, snacks, and popcorn are also available.

Picnic boxes are ready for pickup on-site when gates open for concerts and films.

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