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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Experts trace the origin of the Mardi Gras Indian tradition to French and Spanish rule, when enslaved Africans gathered to let off steam while celebrating their heritage at Congo Square in New Orleans’ Tremé neighborhood. Processionals of the richly costumed Indian “tribes” are led by “spyboys,” or lookouts, along a parade route. Fittingly, the funked-up Mardi Gras Indian band Cha Wa named its 2018 GRAMMY-nominated album Spyboy in tribute to this essential custom. Praised by Offbeat Magazine as “spirited” and “freewheeling,” Cha Wa, led by vocalist J’Wan Boudreaux, combines second-line and brass band music into its own signature New Orleans sound. Taking its name from the Mardi Gras Indian rallying call, “here we come,”  Cha Wa will enliven Durham with this Crescent City tradition.