(headline image: American Railroad at Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre in 2023. Photo by David Bazemore)
Silkroad has revealed dates for the second tour of its multi-year American Railroad project, directed by Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens. Scheduled from November 7-23, 2024, the ensemble will visit ten cities across the Midwest, South, and East Coast of the United States, highlighting the cultural history of railroads.
“I’m so happy with the work we’ve been presenting related to the American Railroad project and could not be more thrilled to kick off a new tour this November, featuring a new group of Silkroad artists who will each lend their own unique voices and stories to the show,” said Giddens.
The performances will include world premieres from Silkroad artists Layale Chaker and Sandeep Das, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Abels, and new arrangements by Balla Kouyaté, Mike Block, Pura Fé, Shane Shanahan, and guest artist Yazhi Guo. The program will also feature works from the 2023 debut tour, along with educational and community events at several locations. Tickets are now available for most dates.
The American Railroad project seeks to shed light on the contributions of Indigenous people, African Americans, and immigrants—including Irish, Chinese, and Japanese laborers—who built the Transcontinental Railroad. This initiative aims to address historical injustices and elevate the voices of those marginalized in traditional narratives. Since 2020, Silkroad has engaged in artist retreats, site visits, and the creation of new compositions as part of its exploration of these untold stories.
The tour will introduce new works, including Chaker and Das’s compositions, that reflect the railroad’s impact on communities in Lebanon and India, extending the project’s global relevance. Abels’s piece explores themes of cooperation, while new arrangements by Kouyaté, Block, Pura Fé, Guo, and Shanahan emphasize the diverse cultural influences surrounding the railroad’s history.
In addition to performances, Silkroad will host educational programs throughout the tour. These include a masterclass for a high school ensemble in Chicago, Election Day performances as part of the “Play for the Vote” initiative, and workshops for university students in Atlanta and Chapel Hill. After the tour, select artists will participate in workshops with Silkroad’s Project MUSIC, which brings musical experiences to incarcerated communities.
Looking ahead, Silkroad plans to release an album and a podcast as part of the American Railroad project in 2024. More information on these releases will be announced soon. Additionally, audiences can access further resources through the American Railroad booklet available on the Silkroad website, which has been widely viewed since its creation in 2023.
Musicians: Rhiannon Giddens, banjo and vocals; Mike Block, cello; Layale Chaker, violin; Pura Fé Crescioni, lap-steel guitar and vocals; Sandeep Das, table; Maeve Gilchrist, Celtic harp; Mario Gotoh, violin and viola; Balla Kouyaté, balafon; Edward Pérez, bass; Shane Shanahan, percussion; Francesco Turrisi, frame drums/accordion; Kaoru Watanabe, Japanese flutes and percussion. Guest artist: Yazhi Guo on suona.
Projections by Camilla Tassi
2024 American Railroad Tour Schedule:
November 7, 2024
Harris Theater
Chicago, IL
Tickets
Community/Educational Activities:
- Play for the Vote engagement (November 5)
- Masterclass with local high school ensemble
- Pre-performance talk for concert ticket holders
November 8, 2024
Presented by University Musical Society
Hill Auditorium
Ann Arbor, MI
Tickets
November 10, 2024
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Nashville, TN
Tickets
November 12, 2024
Presented by City of Rogers Parks and Recreation
Rogers Convention Center
Rogers, AR
More Information
November 14, 2024
Peace Center
Peace Concert Hall
Greenville, SC
Tickets
November 16, 2024
Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University
Atlanta, GA
More Information (Sold Out)
Educational Activities:
Residency at Emory University with invited students from Spelman College (November 15)
November 17, 2024
University of Georgia Performing Arts Center
Athens, GA
Tickets
November 19, 2024
Charleston Gaillard Center
Charleston, SC
Tickets
Community/Educational Activities: Pre-performance talk for concert ticket holders
November 20, 2024
Carolina Performing Arts
Chapel Hill, NC
Tickets
Educational Activities:
Q&A and open rehearsal for students in UNC’s “Worker in American Life” course (November 20)
November 23, 2024
Part of Next Wave 2024
Brooklyn Academy of Music
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, Brooklyn, NY
Tickets
Other 2024 American Railroad Programming:
Train Station Trio: Pura Fé, Shane Shanahan, Michi Wiancko
September 27, 2024
The Art Kamangar Center at The Merced Theatre
Merced, CA
Free Registration
Train Station Trio: Balla Kouyaté, Mike Block, Edward Pérez
December 12, 2024
Part of Harvard ArtsThursdays
Paine Concert Hall
Cambridge, MA
More Information
More information at silkroad.org/american-railroad
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central