Darktown Strutter's Ball

322 North Greenwood Avenue,Tulsa OK 74120

13 May, 2021

Description

Theatre North's Darktown Strutter's Ball, a Greenwood Art Project, is a gala with music, dance, and food commemorating the 1921 good times! Theatre North's Darktown Strutter's Ball is a Greenwood Art Project, which examines the history of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre with the world. The Project's goal is to support art work that speaks to the Greenwood history, tragedy and triumph. Darktown Strutters’ Ball reflects the period leading up to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in language, costume, design, setting, music, and dance. It shows an aspect of how we imagine our forebearers lived in the Greenwood District. Back then, African-American residents held service jobs. They were the maids, porters, railway workers, and others who made the city function. Maids had one day off a week and that was when servants prepared for the evening by dressing to the nines. They danced to hot jazz in Art Deco settings. Darktown Strutters’ Ball replicates this atmosphere and takes the hearts and minds of patrons back to 1921 to witness the events that unfolded on one of those cherished celebratory nights. We want to celebrate the good times before the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The title of our event comes from the jazz standard by Shelton Brooks, “The Darktown Strutters’ Ball.” 1920s attire is requsted!