Celebrating New Haven

Chris “Big Dog” Davis

Chris “Big Dog” Davis began studying piano at age four, studied classical composition at Yale University, and by age 16 had recorded 45 Gospel records with his church youth choir, and he has appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show, The Tonight Show, and The Rosie O’Donnell Show.

Rohn Lawrence

Professional guitarist Rohn Lawrence began building guitars before he turned nine and built his reputation playing in New Haven funk bands. He is the go-to guitarist for many active contemporary musicians and has contributed to more than 50 albums.

Rahsaan Langley

For more than 20 years, Rahsaan Langley has helped craft, create, and produce some of the most influential songs and artists in the music industry. He has collaborated with artists including R. Kelly, Lauryn Hill, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, The Fugees, and LL Cool J.

Manny James

Manny James has brought his unique, soulful performances to many of the Tri-State’s top venues as a headliner and opening act. In 2020, he formed the record label Church Street South Entertainment and released the single, “Never Let Go.”

Aleecya Foreman

Named “Best Female R&B Artist” of 2018 by the New York Independent Radio Station Awards, Aleecya Foreman has opened for Dionne Warwick and Carolyn Malachi, headlined the Springfield Indie Soul Festival, and performed at the Boston Music & Arts Festival. In 2020, she released the single “Vegas.”

860 MVMNT

860 MVMNT, performing an excerpt from Human Be-In, was formed in 2017 as a celebration of the underground dance community and the next generation of hip-hop dancers from the surrounding region. 860 MVMNT displays the raw, intense energy of hip hop through choreography, improvisation, and a unique approach to storytelling.

Jolet "Flo Jo" Creary

Jolet "Flo Jo" Creary, Artistic Director of 860 MVMNT, is a dancer, choreographer, and educator. She has been involved in the Hartford hip hop dance community for over 15 years. In 2012, Jolet started Studio 860 in Hartford as a creative space for hip hop dance training, networking, and underground street dance battles. She is an artist-in-residence at the Autorino Center for the Arts to develop new work and is part of the Center’s 2020-21 Season.

Fatherhood Manologues

Fatherhood Manologues is a part of a greater initiative of The Manhood Tree to highlight the importance, value and contributions of fathers through their involvement and presence in their children’s lives. The development of the Fatherhood Manologues allows men to come together behind the common goal of fatherhood. Each participant in the Manologues identifies a story from his experience as a father or being fathered.

Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad

Skilled speaker, spoken word artist, and trainer, Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad, created the Manhood Tree, which is comprised of eight initiatives that focus on boyhood, young adulthood, brotherhood, fatherhood, and manhood. He is the Executive Director and Founder of the multidimensional social service agency, My People Clinical Services. Muhammad is an artist-in-residence at the Autorino Center for the Arts to develop new work and is part of the Center’s 2020-21 Season.

The Autorino Center for the Arts and Humanities provides transformative experiences that affirm the arts as essential to the human endeavor and to an understanding of human life, and to serve as a cultural resource for the University of Saint Joseph and the greater Hartford community. Steven Raider-Ginsburg, Director of the Autorino Center for the Arts is an artist, producer, and community convener. Steve's work focuses on exceptional artistry and community impact.

The Center’s mission is established in its authorizing statute: present classical and contemporary music, opera, drama, dance, and other performing arts from the United States and other countries; promote and maintain the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the National Center for the Performing Arts; strive to ensure that the education and outreach programs and policies of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts meet the highest level of excellence and reflect the cultural diversity of the United States; provide facilities for other civic activities at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and provide within the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts a suitable memorial in honor of the late President. To fulfill the mission as the nation’s cultural center, the Kennedy Center presents world-class art by the artists that define our culture today, delivers powerful arts education opportunities nationwide, and embodies the ideals of President Kennedy in all the Center’s activities provided throughout the living memorial.