Chicago, IL— Victory Gardens Theater, in partnership with The Black Women's Expo and Black Owned Chicago, presents the 5th Edition of the Black Beauty Festival (BBF), April 10-11, 2021. Offered virtually for the first time, Black Beauty Festival: Joy & Magic is a free two-day event that uplifts Black-owned businesses while creating conversations around beauty, health, and wellness.
This year's theme is Joy & Magic, two words that perfectly encompass the celebratory BBF experience. BBF will include online shopping for Black-owned businesses, free performances from The Black Monologues, a jam session with up-and-coming artists, a haircut tutorial, yoga hour, paint & sip afternoon, and raffle giveaways. Each event is free, though pre-registration is required. For more information or to RSVP for an event, visit www.victorygardens.org .
The festival kicks off with a performance by The Black Monologues, created and produced by Tanikia "Nikki" Carpenter and under the direction of Deanna Reed-Foster. Festival writers include Tanikia Carpenter, Reginald Edmund, and Tiffany Oglesby. Performers include Demetra Dee, Maya Hooks, Renee Lockett, Marcus D. Moore, Jermaine Robinson Jr. and Frederick Paul Williams. Desireé Applewhite is the stage manager.
Black Beauty Festival: Joy & Magic Lineup
Saturday, April 10, 2021
The Black Monologues
2:00-3:00 p.m. CT on Zoom
In partnership with Black Owned Chicago, The Black Monologues returns to Black Beauty Festival for its annual performance. Created and produced by Tanikia "Nikki" Carpenter and under the direction of Jeff Award-winning actress Deanna Reed-Foster, The Black Monologues is a showcase of solo performances that capture the African American experience as it pertains to a specific theme. This year, performances will be a celebration of the Black experience through generations.
Haircut Tutorial
4:30-5:30 p.m. CT on Zoom
Join Headrest Barbershop's Tim Johnson as he teaches you the fundamentals of cutting hair. This is an informational session to learn new techniques and ask questions; no need to bring anything to this workshop other than yourself!
Jam Session
7:00-8:00 p.m. CT on Zoom
Need a reason to get on your feet? Be sure to tune into this virtual mini-concert, featuring performances by up-and-coming musicians!
Sunday, April 11, 2021
Yoga Hour
1:00-2:00 p.m. CT on Zoom
Relax and unwind in this 45-minute yoga session led by Wellness Specialist Daryl Satcher. All skill levels are welcome to attend. If you don't have a yoga mat, you can use a large towel or a carpeted floor. For the best experience, bring water and a small towel for sweat.
Paint & Sip
3:00-4:00 p.m. CT on Zoom
Sip on our special BBF cocktails, sponsored by Love Cork Screw, as you create a masterpiece from the comfort of your home with Alexie Young and Art West Chicago! No experience necessary. FREE art supply kits available for all registrants (25 people maximum).
Vendor Chat
5:00-6:00 p.m. CT on Zoom
Come get to know the business-savvy entrepreneurs featured in this year's Black Beauty Festival! This event will be facilitated by Alex Jones, owner of Fad2Fresh vintage clothing and memorabilia.
Some of the 2021 Black Beauty Festival vendors include Dressed 2 The Tee Apparel & Accessories; Dr. Herbal's Organic & Vegan Hair Care; Dzigns by Deb; Fad2Fresh; Gill Family Jewels; Luv That Scrub; Model Esteem; North Lawndale Employment Network — Sweet Beginnings, LLC; philosofher: The Life of-The Love of-Her; Suuri Design; and TBE Cosmetics.
Support for Victory Gardens Theater
Black Beauty Festival: Joy and Magic would not be possible without the support of our Community Partners: A Leading Man Productions, Art West, The Black Monologues, Headrest Barbershop, and Love Cork Screw.
Victory Gardens Theater receives major funding from the Joyce Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Shubert Foundation, Wallace Foundation.
Additional major funding comes from Crown Family Philanthropies, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Polk Bros. Foundation.
Major funders also include: Allstate, Alphawood Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Edgerton Foundation, Exelon, Ralla Klepak Trust for the Performing Arts, The Harvey L. Miller Supporting Foundation, David Rockefeller Fund, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Venturous Theater Fund of the Tides Foundation.
Additional funding this season: Charles H. and Bertha L. Boothroyd Foundation, Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, Coffman Law Offices, ComEd, Nathan Cummings Foundation, Golden Country Oriental Foods, Goldman Sachs, John R. Halligan Foundation, Illinois Humanities Council, ITW, MacArthur International Connections Fund, MAP Fund, Mayer Brown LLP, The Robert R. McCormick Foundation, The McVay Foundation, Metropolitan Capital Bank and Trust, National Endowment for the Arts, Origin Ventures, PNC Financial Services Group, The Poetry Foundation, Prince Charitable Trusts, Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation, Pritzker Traubert Foundation, Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation, Wrightwood Neighbors Foundation, William H. Weiss Foundation.
In-kind support is provided by: Italian Village Restaurants, Suite Home Chicago, and Whole Foods Market.
Covid-19 Emergency Relief Funding: Arts Work Fund— Arts for Illinois Relief Fund (at the Chicago Community Foundation), Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Business Interruption Grant.
Capital improvement support from Landmarks Illinois—Barbara and Thomas Donnelley Preservation Fund, the Performing Arts Venue Fund at the League of Chicago Theaters, with funding from the Jon D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Service Club of Chicago. Capacity Building support by Compass-Chicago.
About Victory Gardens Theater
Victory Gardens is dedicated to artistic excellence while creating a vital, contemporary American Theater that is accessible and relevant to all people through productions of challenging new plays and musicals. Victory Gardens Theater is committed to the development, production and support of new plays, which has been the mission of the theater since its founding, set forth by Dennis Zacek Marcelle McVay, and the original founders of Victory Gardens Theater, and continued by former Artistic Director Chay Yew.
Victory Gardens Theater is a leader in developing and producing new theater work and cultivating an inclusive Chicago theater community. Victory Gardens' core strengths are nurturing and producing dynamic and inspiring new plays, reflecting the diversity of our city's and nation's culture through engaging diverse communities, and, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, bringing art and culture to our city's active student population.
Since its founding in 1974, the company has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theater, a commitment recognized nationally when Victory Gardens received the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Victory Gardens Biograph Theater includes the Zacek-McVay Theater, a state-of-the-art 259-seat mainstage, and the 109-seat studio theater on the second floor, named the Richard Christiansen Theater.
For more information about Victory Gardens, visit www.victorygardens.org . Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/victorygardens, Twitter @VictoryGardens, and Instagram @victorygardenstheater .
