Bi-weekly screenings of rare digital footage from Milford Graves’s archives will be shown throughout the run of the exhibition, along with additional video selections and dialogues that contextualize Graves’s practice. The themes and dates for each digital release are listed below.

Screenings begin at 6PM EST and will remain online until the next program begins. All programs will be conducted virtually.

This program series is co-presented by Ars Nova Workshop.

Screening Schedule

September 28 – Introduction Part 1: Speaking in Tongues

October 12 – Introduction Part 2: Festac ’77

October 26 – Research and Investigation: Heart Music

November 9 – In Performance Part 1: Collaborative Projects

November 23 – In Performance Part 2: Solo Work

December 7 – Encounters in Japan: Min Tanaka

December 21 – The Botanist: Graves in the Garden

January 4 – The Griot: Performative Lectures

January 18 – Yara Martial Arts Movements: Healing Arts

Now Screening

Yara Martial Arts Movements:

“Yara is a Yoruba word that means to be “nimble” or “flexible”. Actually it’s spontaneous improvised, and it’s reacting according to that particular situation. Yara is composed basically of West African dance movement. Warrior movement. A lot of movements that influenced me over the years. And to me it was only natural, just to flow into this type of movement, since it was part of my culture and lifestyle.​” – Milford Graves

Movements in the Snow​ (c. 1990)
Private VHS Tape
Runtime: 10:28

Yara Group Warm Ups and Clapping​ (c. 1990)
Private VHS Tape
Runtime: 1:58:03

African Festival Yara Prep​ (1984)
Private VHS Tape
Runtime: 1:57:45

Yara Spring/Summer​ (1988)
Private VHS Tape
Runtime: 38:10

This program is co-presented by ​Ars Nova Workshop​.