Photo Courtesy of Guggenheim
The Guggenheim New York continues to collaborate with local community partners, bringing new perspectives and energy to audiences in response to the landmark exhibition Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers. Throughout November, Sanguine programming will be curated by The Apollo, a landmark of New York’s cultural and civil rights history that serves as a platform for social change and champions the ongoing legacy of Black artists around the world. Programming on Rotunda Stage will be curated by Cave Canem, a nonprofit organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets. From weekly jazz performances curated by The Apollo to poetry readings with Cave Canem, the museum amplifies diverse voices whose work expands upon and engages with existing artworks, inviting visitors to experience the exhibition in participatory ways.
Additional key events this month include a preview of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s new season under the leadership of Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack; an excerpt from the play HANG TIME, written and directed by Zora Howard, and produced by the Flea Theater; the premiere of Rashid Johnson’s Home (2025), the third and final film in his Sanguine trilogy; a jazz concert by Allan Harris; and an extended-hours Late Shift program featuring a performance by Blacks’ Myths, a musical project conceived by composer Luke Stewart.
November programming highlights include:
Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers Performance Series
Sanguine piano: Fridays, 4 pm, and Sundays, 1 pm
Rotunda Stage: Mondays, 4 pm, and Saturdays, 1 pm
Free with Admission
Every Friday through Monday, New York’s creative community brings to life two major installations by Rashid Johnson through spoken word, music, and live art.
Since opening its doors in 1914, The Apollo has played a major role in the emergence of jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, and soul—all quintessentially American music genres. In November, The Apollo presents a series of musicians activating the piano in Sanguine, inspired by themes of connection and care across three generations of Johnson’s family—his father, himself, and his son. Featured musicians include Terrahn “Terry” Brewer (November 28), George Burton (November 14 and 16), Adegoke Steve Colson (November 9 and 21), and William Hill III (November 2, 7, and 30). Programming is guest curated by Monica L. Williams.
Founded by artists for artists, Cave Canem is committed to developing audiences for Black voices that have worked and are working in the craft of poetry. Throughout the month, Cave Canem poets will deliver readings on Rotunda Stage, sharing works written in response to Johnson’s exhibition. Participating poets include Shadiyat Ajao, Alanah Armstead, Samiya Bashir, Kelvin C. Bias, Phillip Elliott, Aminata A. Gueye, Sakinah Hofler, Leslie McIntosh, Dante Micheaux, Tangie Mitchell, Christopher Silverberg, Sasha Smith, TEN, Donuata Watson, Graciella Ye’Tsunami, and s.e. zelalem.
Poets as Deep Thinkers: A group reading with Samiya Bashir and Cave Canem
Saturday, November 1, 1–3 pm
Free with Admission
Join us on Rotunda Stage for a culminating reading led by poet, writer, librettist, performer, and multimedia poetry maker Samiya Bashir. Poets from Cave Canem’s New York City Regional Workshop, “Poets as Deep Thinkers,” will share new works written in conversation with A Poem for Deep Thinkers—both Amiri Baraka’s razor-sharp 1961 poem and Rashid Johnson’s immersive installation. This reading will have interpretation in American Sign Language (ASL) by Pro Bono ASL.
Teen Tuesday
Tuesday, November 4, 3–5:30 pm
Free with Admission
In collaboration with the American LGBTQ+ Museum, educators lead a photography and collage workshop looking at the work of artist Zanele Muholi and their advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa and beyond, as well as the current exhibition Collection in Focus | Robert Rauschenberg: Life Can’t Be Stopped. The afternoon concludes with a live performance by The Last Minutes, a rock band from Church Street School for Music and Art. Come together to make art, share snacks, and experience Election Day within a creative community of teens who are first-time or soon-to-be voters.
Works & Process: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Monday, November 10, 7–8 pm, followed by Rotunda Dance Party at 8 pm
Preview Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s upcoming season of legacy in motion as the company prepares to raise the curtain on a new era under the leadership of Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack. Acclaimed dancers will perform highlights from the company’s New York City Center holiday engagement (December 3–January 4), which features new productions of works by Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison, alongside world premieres including Embrace by Earl Mosley and The Holy Blues by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Samantha Figgins, and Chalvar Monteiro. Graf Mack will lead conversations with premiere choreographers and Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing.
Following the event, Ailey Extension director Lisa Johnson-Willingham and West African dance instructor Maguette Camara lead a dance class in the rotunda open to all. Accompanied by live drummers, the class includes an opportunity to learn steps from Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations.
Rotunda Stage Pop-Up: HANG TIME, Written and Directed by Zora Howard
Friday, November 14, 2:30–3:30 pm
Free with Admission
Experience excerpts of Pulitzer Prize Finalist and Harlem-bred writer and director Zora Howard’s searing theatrical work HANG TIME, adapted for Rashid Johnson’s Rotunda Stage. The piece explores the interiority of Black men in the United States and the ways their humanity can triumph over the brutality that has been brought against them. Produced by the Flea Theater and presented in collaboration with The Apollo. Full HANG TIME performances run November 7–15 at The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater.
Late Shift
Thursday, November 20, 5:30–8 pm
Taking place every third Thursday, Late Shift invites visitors to explore the galleries, participate in curated artful experiences, and enjoy refreshments at a cash bar in Frank Lloyd Wright’s rotunda after-hours. In the spirit of Friendsgiving, November attendees are encouraged to invite two friends and register using promo code LateShift10, which grants three tickets for the price of one.
This month’s Late Shift features an original performance by Blacks’ Myths, bassist and composer Luke Stewart’s musical research project exploring history, memory, and the power of sound to create heightened states of awareness. The set combines music and movement inspired by Rashid Johnson’s art: “We have so many mutual inspirations, in the canon of art, sound, history, and mystery, and in the global interconnectedness of Blackness,” says Stewart.
During Late Shift, the museum’s Peter B. Lewis Theater will screen Rashid Johnson’s film trilogy Black and Blue (2021), Sanguine (2024), and Home (2025), with the latter premiering that evening as the final installment in the series.
Rotunda Stage Pop-Up: The Poetry of Jazz with Allan Harris
Saturday, November 29, 3–4 pm
Free with Admission
Brooklyn-born, Harlem-based vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader Allan Harris takes Rotunda Stage with The Poetry of Jazz, performing alongside his quartet of guitar, bass, violin, and drums. Harris interweaves poetry by literary masters with original compositions and jazz standards, offering listeners a fresh perspective and auditory experience on both classic prose and beloved jazz works.
Public programs will be announced monthly; please visit guggenheim.org/calendar for additional information and updates. Event details are subject to change.
Sponsors
Lead support for Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers is provided by Ford Foundation.
Visionary support is provided by A4 Arts Foundation, Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan, Edlis-Neeson Foundation, and Daniel Xu and Flora Huang. Major support is provided by Neuberger Berman. The Leadership Committee for this exhibition is gratefully acknowledged for its generosity, with special thanks to Hauser & Wirth, David Kordansky Gallery, Madeleine Arison, Heather and Felix Baker, Justin Bayless, Marie-Josée Coutu, Nancy and Steve Crown, Natasha and François-Xavier de Mallmann, The George Economou Collection, Anton J. Levy, Jennifer and Alec Litowitz, and David Shuman.
Additional leadership funding is provided by Candace and Michael Barasch, Allison and Larry Berg, Mahshid and Jamshid Ehsani, Alex and Greg Mondre, Dr. Daniel S. Berger Charitable Giving Fund, Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian and Ago Demirdjian, Nicola Erni Collection, Katherine Farley and Jerry I. Speyer, The Forman Family Collection, Paul and Dedrea Gray, John and Amy Griffin Foundation, Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia, Kathy and Mitchell Jacobson, Judelson Family Foundation, LaVon Kellner and Tom Roush, Amanda Precourt, Gary Steele and Steven Rice, George Wells and Manfred Rantner, Debi and Steven Wisch, Marilyn and Larry Fields, Bernard I. Lumpkin and Carmine D. Boccuzzi, Jessica and Brian Robinson, Carol and Lawrence Saper, Ann and Mel Schaffer, The Sherman Family Foundation, and those who wish to remain anonymous. Support is also generously provided by The Kate Cassidy Foundation, The Robert Lehman Foundation, and The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Guggenheim New York’s 2024 International Director’s Council.
Yamaha Piano provided by Yamaha Artist Services New York.
About the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was established in 1937 and is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The international constellation of museums includes the Guggenheim New York; the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice; the Guggenheim Bilbao; and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A “temple of spirit” where radical art and architecture meet, the Guggenheim New York is among a group of eight Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the Guggenheim New York and the Guggenheim’s activities around the world, visit guggenheim.org.
@Guggenheim
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