To mark the fourth annual “Night at the Museums,” the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center in New York will feature an evening of performances by acclaimed neo-soul singer Martha Redbone. Described by the Village Voice as “Americana’s next superstar,” Redbone possesses a rich vocal talent informed by her mixed Cherokee, Choctaw, European and African American heritage, producing a sultry, powerful sound that is unmistakably her own. Redbone will perform at the museum Tuesday, June 20, on the hour at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. in the museum’s second-floor rotunda.
“Night at the Museums” is hosted by the Downtown Culturals Group, consisting of the museum and 14 other cultural institutions of Lower Manhattan, one of the most diverse and concentrated groups of museums in the world. The event features special programming, free admission and tours at the various venues and takes place 4–8 p.m. June 20 as part of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s “River To River” summer arts festival. All activities are free, but some require tickets or advance reservation. Complete information, including a map and schedule of events, is available at NightAtTheMuseums.org, and a free “Night at the Museums” guide is available at any of the participating institutions.
Also, cultural interpreters will be on hand at the National Museum of the American Indian to share with visitors educational activities in celebration of the coming summer solstice. Visitors can also take advantage of exhibition tours led by subject matter experts. Tours include the exhibitions “Infinity of Nations,” “Native Fashion Now” and “Cerámica de los Ancestros: Central America’s Past Revealed,” as well as a tour of the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, home of the George Gustav Heye Center, on the hour at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. More tour details can be found at AmericanIndian.si.edu.
The National Museum of the American Indian is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Native cultures of the Western Hemisphere—past, present and future—through partnership with Native people and others. The museum’s George Gustav Heye Center is located at One Bowling Green in New York City. For additional information, including hours and directions, visit AmericanIndian.SI.edu. Follow the museum via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Downtown Culturals Group is composed of cultural organizations located in Lower Manhattan below Chambers Street. Its purpose is to foster collaborations among and promote the visibility of downtown’s cultural resources. A key project has been the creation of the Downtown Culture Pass, a three-day pass to museums and attractions that is geared toward tourists. DowntownCulturePass.org
Since its founding in 1973, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) has been dedicated to empowering artists and enhancing the cultural vibrancy of New York City through a broad range of platforms and initiatives, all based on the belief that artists are an inspirational and catalyzing force within any community. LMCC.net
River To River, a Lower Manhattan Cultural Council public engagement initiative, inspires residents, workers and visitors in Lower Manhattan, by connecting them to artists, new ideas and perspectives, and other art lovers to demonstrate the role that artists play in creating vibrant, sustainable communities.
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