March 16, 2020: Important Announcement: Remainder of Duke Performances spring season cancelled

Dear Friends,

Due to precautionary measures related to COVID-19, Duke University has temporarily suspended on-campus classes and is postponing all events with an expected attendance of more than 50 people taking place both on- and off-campus.

Sadly, we must cancel all Duke Performances presentations, both on- and off-campus, for the remainder of our spring season, through May 16. This includes our annual Black Atlantic festival from Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 10, including Natu Camara, David Virelles, Cha Wa, Etienne Charles, and Cimarrón.

We wish these changes weren’t necessary, but under the circumstances an aggressive course of action is justified to protect public and community health.

The Duke University Box Office will issue refunds to patrons holding tickets for Black Atlantic presentations. Tickets purchased with a credit card will be refunded to the card of purchase. If card of purchase is expired, refund will be issued via check. Tickets purchased via check or cash payment will receive a check reimbursement sent to the address on record. All refunds are expected to be completed within 8 weeks. We are doing everything we can to expedite refunds and appreciate your patience.

We thank you for your support of Duke Performances and hope you will attend our presentations later in the spring should conditions change.

Until then we wish good health for you and your loved ones as we endure this unprecedented challenge.

With best wishes,

Scott Lindroth
Vice Provost for the Arts
Duke University

Eric Oberstein
Interim Director
Duke Performances

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Sona Jobarteh has regretfully cancelled her performance on Monday, April 6, as part of our annual Black Atlantic series. Natu Camara, a brilliant artist from Guinea, will take her place.

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In Conakry, a sprawling legion of Natu Camara’s adoring fans regard her as “the Tina Turner of Guinea.” In her music and during high-octane shows, the impassioned singer-songwriter substantiates the weighty nickname. In the early 2000s, Camara led West Africa’s first all-female hip-hop group, the Ideal Black Girls (IBG). Years after releasing Guinèya Moumonèra (It’s Not a Shame to Be a Woman) — a multiplatinum opus advocating for women’s rights — as a member of IBG, the dynamism of Camara’s musical evolution is revealed in Dimedi (“Child” in her native language, Susu), an inspirational solo debut underscoring the significance of children having positive role models. Singing in five languages, Dimedi showcases Camara’s unique blend of afro-rock, pop, and soul that speaks to the range of heroes influencing her individual sound: Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, and Baaba Maal.