Karen Slack has developed a career as sought-after curator and collaborator and now brings her new commissioning project, African Queens, to Bent But Not Broken 4.0.
The evening-length vocal recital celebrates the history and legacy of seven historic or “real-life” African queens, revered as rulers but not widely heralded in the western world. The program weaves historical narrative through new works by acclaimed composers Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter, Fred Onovwerosuoke, Will Liverman, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon, and Joel Thompson along with carefully selected traditional repertoire – further illuminated through passages of spoken text and thematic artwork. Washington Performing Arts is a project co-commissioner of African Queens. This performance is the third-annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Recital—a yearly performance honoring a dear friend of Washington Performing Arts and elevating new work of both established and renowned artists.
Thursday, November 19th, 2026 | 8:00 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
General Admission $40
Student Admission $20
Delaware Academy of Vocal Arts (DBA: Elevate Vocal Arts) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.
