Durham
Sun-Ra: Pathways to the Unknown Worlds
Durham Art GuildIf you’re unfamiliar with the aesthetic or overarching philosophy of (to reduce his influence to music) the jazz radical Sun Ra, the titles of three of his dozens of albums should guide you to the light: Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow, The Nubians of Plutonia and Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy. The Saturn- (or Alabama-) born bandleader and writer transformed music and the perception of music itself with his liberated approach to the big band and his transcendent view of being alive. This exhibit, presented by Duke University’s John Hope Franklin Center and Durham Art Guild, gathers many of Sun Ra’s personal effectsrecord covers, business documents, elaborate costumesand culminates in a split bill with Mingus Big Band and Sun Ra Arkestra Saturday, Sept. 26. The exhibit runs through Oct. 18, and the gallery is open six days each week from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Prepare for takeoff. Visit www.durhamartguild.org. Grayson Currin
