Afro Latin Jazz and Soul Experience – Community Residency with Sekou McMiller & Friends

Parading through Culture: A Community Gathering about Celebration, Ritual, and Movement
Common Room, Zion Lutheran Church | 7-8:30pm
This dynamic session invites participants to explore the many ways family, community, and culture express themselves through celebration, ritual, and parade. Rooted in conversation and celebration, this experience opens up space for sharing personal and collective traditions—those that shape our identities and connect us across generations and borders. Using the vibrant traditions of the African Diaspora as a focal point—including Uruguay’s candombe parades, Mardi Gras, Carnival, and Salsa dance parties—we’ll explore the power of parading as both a cultural expression and a form of joy, resistance, and unity. The session will culminate in a collaborative social dance space, where the stories and rhythms we’ve explored come to life through music and movement – a living parade of culture, creativity, and connection.

Jacob’s Pillow welcomes Sekou McMiller’s Afro Latin Jazz and Soul Experience to Pittsfield for a multi-day community residency. This dynamic series of movement workshops, listening sessions, and dance parties, led by Sekou and his collaborators Adriel Flete, Khary Kamau, and Miriam Gallardo, will immerse participants in themes from his upcoming premiere Urban Love Suite, which will be performed during Week 6 of the Festival. The residency will explore the joy of celebration, parades, and rituals across cultures, from Mardi Gras in New Orleans to Carnival in Trinidad and other global festivities. Participants of all ages are invited to join in the fun, learn, and celebrate through movement and sound.