VCU news

By Jessica McCadden
Institute for Contemporary Art

The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University presents Afrofuturist free-jazz musician Angel Bat Dawid as part of November’s First Friday art walk.

Dawid, an acclaimed Black American composer, clarinetist, pianist, vocalist, producer, educator and DJ, will perform on Friday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. She will be joined by Virginia-based artist JJJJJerome Ellis for a one-of-a-kind performance blending music, poetry and mysticism.

The concert will be followed by a conversation with Chioke I’Anson, director of the VPM + ICA Community Media Center.

The event is free and open to the public. Reservations can be made at www.eventbrite.com/e/first-friday-angel-bat-dawid-tickets-411633355447.

Dawid released her debut album, “The Oracle,” in 2019. Recorded using only her cell phone in various locations, the album received widespread critical acclaim, with Pitchfork declaring it, “a vibrant, spiritual, free-jazz document of Black life as it stands today.” Known for her prowess as a bandleader and performer, Dawid tours globally with her septet, Tha Brothahood, with whom she released the album “LIVE” in October 2020, which received numerous accolades, including NPR Music’s “Best Albums of 2020” list and Pitchfork’s “Best New Music.”

As an educator, Dawid teaches the “Great Black Music” course at Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center in Chicago. She is clarinetist in Damon Locks’ Black Monument Ensemble, and she hosts a monthly music show on NTS Radio.

First Friday – Downtown Richmond's year-round monthly art walk – takes place on the first Friday of each month. Galleries, shops, restaurants and nonprofits open their doors to the community in celebration of art.