☞ LISTEN: FINDING THE 51st (DREAM) STATE

finding the 51st (dream) state: Sekou Sundiata’s America Project recounts Sundiata’s national and communal search to confront, imagine and invent what it means to be American in the 21st century. The 30-minute documentary reveals how this visionary poet, performer, educator and activist found “a clearing” and “a way to see” through conversations in small scale public gatherings, in classrooms and in art centers – and in the process created groundbreaking theater about democracy and citizenship.

The screening will be followed by a conversation between Michaela Angela Davis, expert critic and writer on urban style, race, gender, and hip-hop culture and Carl Hancock Rux, an award winning poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, and recording artist. A wine and cheese reception will follow.

Harlem Stage is at the Gatehouse Theater in Hamilton Heights is at 150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street. Tel: 212.281.9240. Take the 1 train to 137th Street. See more and buy tickets at the Harlem Stage site: LINK