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PLD 150

Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Birth

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On June 27th of 1872, Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio. For this special Dunbar 150 milestone event, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park along with numerous community partners will honor Dunbar, showcase his contributions to poetry, the arts, music, dance and culture.
Saturday, June 25, 5pm  – Dunbar Sesquicentennial Celebration at the historic Victoria Theatre. Dr. Gene Andrew Jarrett, keynote speaker and author of Paul Laurence Dunbar: The Life and Times of a Caged Bird, will be featured in the celebration along with an entire Dunbar community of entertainers and performers. Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin, Ms. Laverne Sci, Ted Lange, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, University of Dayton Department of Music, the Tuskegee University Golden Voices Choir, and other special guests will come together for ensemble performances of his masterful work and moving compositions.
 Tickets are just $10 for this 2 and 1/2 hour event featuring poetry, music and dance.
Sunday, June 26 – Paul Laurence Dunbar Birthday Party at the Dunbar House – 1:00 pm– 4:00 pm. Learn more: https://fb.me/e/1uYL9tSGn
Sunday, June 26 – Wright-Dunbar Day neighborhood party – 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the neighborhood around the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center – 16 S. Williams St. Learn more:
There is also an exhibition inspired by Dunbar’s life and work on display at The Dayton Art Institute now through September 4 (and admission will be free on Sunday, June 26)! This Focus Exhibition showcases artists’ responses to Dunbar, his life and work. It is part of the Dayton and state-wide “Dunbar150 Project,” through which multiple organizations will help shine a light on Dunbar’s literary contributions and help tell the story of his life and legacy.

Paul Laurence Dunbar Sesquicentennial (150th) Flagship Event Announced

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On June 27th of 1872, Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio. For this special Dunbar 150 year milestone the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park along with numerous community partners will honor him by showcasing his contributions to poetry, the arts, music, dance and culture.

The commemorative “Dunbar 150” flagship event will be held on the evening of Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 5-7pm at the Victoria Theatre, and will feature recitations of Dunbar’s works by several world-renowned poets, spoken word performances, musical selections, and more! Tickets are on sale now for just $6-10 and can be purchased here.

Honored Guests include Nikki Giovanni, a prominent literary figure, and activist who has experienced longevity in her career as a prolific poet, speaker, and contributor to the literary arts, along with an entire Dunbar community of entertainers and performers. These include, Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin, Ms. Laverne Sci, Ted Lange, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, University of Dayton Department of Music, the Tuskegee University Golden Voices Choir, and other special guests will come together for ensemble performances of his masterful work and moving compositions.

National Historical Park is in a unique position to bring national prominence and 21st century schools and community organizations including the Ohio History Connection (OHC), the National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA), Planned2Give, Woodland Cemetery, the University of Dayton, Dayton Live, the Paul Laurence Dunbar branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the Wright-Dunbar Neighborhood Association, and the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio.

“Community engagement has been a key part of the process throughout this multi-year celebration. Paul Laurence Dunbar’s giftings have created a lasting impact on people. His words have maintained relevance and have inspired generations of people to use their voice. Through the act of coming together and supporting the expression of creativity sparked by Dayton native Dunbar, we celebrate,”says Park Ranger and Dunbar 150 Project Manager, Angela Stewart.

Donations can be made to the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site via the web.