Thunderbolt Special The Great Electric Show and Dance

Commemorating Sam "Lightin'" Hopkins, Artist Terry Adkins serves as both curator and participant in Project Row Houses Round 29. Joining Adkins will be James Andrew Brown, Sherman Fleming, Charles Gaines and George Smith. Emerging artist El Franco Lee II will display Survival of the Fittest from October 11, 2008 - March 1, 2009. An opening reception will be held October 11th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. which is free and open to the public. Immediately following, there will be a Thunderbolt Special performance which will meld music, ritual, spoken word and video to celebrate the life and work of Lightnin' Hopkins. This performance will feature Lone Wolf Recital Corps, Blanche Bruce, The Sacred Order of the Twilight Brothers and the Anti-Formalist Reclamation Organization.

One of the messsages this performance and dedication to Houston's own Lightnin' Hopkins is a tragic one. Although he was one of the most acclaimed and prolific blues musicians in the world with over 120 albums over his lifetime, our city has not honored, memorialized or made a permanent public acknowledgement of the achievements and cultural contributions Sam Lightin' Hopkins made, including his international fame.

Project Row Houses: PRH was founded in 1993 as a result of discussions among African-American artists who wanted to establish a positive, creative presence in their own community. Our work is founded on the principle that art and the community that creates it can revitalize even the most depressed of inner-city neighborhoods, for the mutual good of existing and future residents. Thus, the mission of Project Row Houses is to create community through the celebration of art and African American history and culture. Normal exhibition hours are Wednesday - Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. October 11, 2008 - March 1, 2009.

Round 29 Thunderbolt Special: The Great Electric Show and Dance
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 11, 2008
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
2505 - 2521 Holman Street

Thunderbolt Special Performance
following the reception, or 7:00 p.m.
The Historic Eldorado Ballroom
2310 Elgin Street

-There will be an open roundtable discussion tonight from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at 2521 Holman. The artists, blues fans, and community residents are encouraged to come together and talk about Lightnin'. This is a fantastic opportunity for some face time with the artists.
Photo courtesy of flickr user flackfile