Du Bois 150th Festival Begins on Jan. 15 in Great Barrington
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The town of Great Barrington, birthplace of W.E.B. Du Bois, begins the Du Bois 150th Festival during the Martin Luther King holiday week of Jan. 15.
The celebration of the 150th anniversary of Du Bois's birth will culminate on his birthday, Feb. 23, at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in downtown Great Barrington with distinguished guests Dr. Reiland Rabaka, Ossie Davis, Dr. Whitney Battle-Baptiste and other celebrants.
"We are very excited about the Du Bois 150th Festival that will begin with a series of events on January 15, including lectures, readings, concerts, exhibits, performances and guided walking tours, hosted by the town and its partners," said Gwendolyn VanSant, committee co-chair of the Du Bois 150th Festival. "These events will provide occasions for celebration and a much needed opportunity to lift up the voice of Du Bois, who led the fight for civil rights during the first half of the 20th century, a voice that continues to inform and inspire the fight for racial justice and human rights around the globe today."
The festival kicks off on Monday, Jan. 15, with the Martin Luther King Day Interfaith Service from noon to 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on Main Street.
The festival's kickoff week continues Thursday, Jan. 18, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. with an opening reception, festival exhibit and gallery walk, including the unveiling of the Du Bois mural with Railroad Street Youth Project and the Young Writers for Justice, at The Triplex Cinema, 70 Railroad St.
On Friday, Jan. 19, from 6-9 p.m., "W.E.B. Du Bois: A Man for All Times," a one-man 80 minute play written and directed by Alexa Kelly featuring Brian Richardson and a performer from Jacob's Pillow, will be held at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle St. Admission is free; donations will be accepted to support the Du Bois Center and Multicultural BRIDGE.
The festival continues with other events in February, culminating in the birthday celebration on Feb. 12. Find a complete schedule of events here.
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