Home, Harmony and Hope: Birmingham & Chicago

Dates
Thursday 16 April 2015 (17:30-19:30)
Contact

Sue Gilligan

s.gilligan@bham.ac.uk

01214145997

HomeHarmonyandHopeBirminghamChicago

Home, Harmony and Hope explores the musical prominence of sister cities, Birmingham and Chicago and how new musical forms contributed to building and creating community in both these cities. This panel discussion will explore the lives of diverse Birmingham and Chicago residents, examining how challenging urban realities impacted upon the role of music as marker of collective consciousness, identity and history. In places where some saw possibilities and others sought to conquer dismal realities, music provided harmony and hope. Drawing upon influences from London to Kingston, New Orleans to Liverpool, and Birmingham to Chicago, melodies created in echoing stairwells, outdoor courtyards and blacktops, nearby churches, and neighbourhood pubs were set to stories from around the world to communicate the commonalities of urban places called home. In conjunction with an exhibition, in the Bramall until April 17, a panel discussion will further explore the lives of diverse Birmingham and Chicago residents, examining how challenging urban realities impacted upon the role of music as marker of collective consciousness, identity and history.