Confessions of a Lounge Singer

September 23rd, 2018

Confessions of a Lounge Singer is an exploration of the joy and pain of artistry. At the height of the ‘60s popular lounge singer Earl “Treetops” Johnson is struggling to hold onto his dreams, find love, and meet expectations set by those around him. Many artists come to find their voices in lounges or coffee shops, sharing their work at the open mic and gaining popularity with each new piece. They soon feel the tug of their passion at their soul. It leaves them seeking to balance the pull of their community and the city they made their name in, the struggle to find space for love and companionship, and the pursuit of their own aspirations and dreams. See Earl deal with his unrequited love for Songbird, his overbearing boss, City, and the challenge of being the hottest show in town. Come take this journey inside the soul of a poet…I mean lounge singer. This is a story full of vivid characters, musical performances, and brilliantly delivered spoken word.

Blues and Roots Celebration

October 5th & 6th, 2018

The Bull Durham Blues Festival has a new look! The Hayti Heritage Center presents its “Blues and Roots Celebration,” a two-day festival honoring the legacy of African American contributions to the Blues and Roots music genres.

 Friday, September 7th kicks-off with a Juke Joint style cocktail reception and performances which will highlight the legacy of blues and roots music with guitarist Baron Tymas and his band “Hit Ya Right Here,” and Justin Robinson of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Proceeds from this reception will benefit Hayti’s growing commitment to promoting the African American music experience.

On Saturday, vocalist Lenora Helm will perform her original production “Blues Woman”, followed by headliners the iconic B.B. King Blues Band with Tito Jackson, guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and member of the famed Jackson family. The Band will perform music of the late, great B.B. King along with a medley of hits by the legendary Jackson 5.