Hurrey-UP’s solo performance production, Nappy Journeys, written, directed, and performed by Ayinde Hurrey, focuses on the artistic expression and amazing phenomenon of African-American hair. First performed in 1997, Nappy Journeys is a wild ride with four of Hurrey’s very animated characters. Chosen as one of the 29 main stage productions at 2009 National Black Theatre Festival, Hurrey-UP represented Pensacola, Florida at the week-long celebration of culture in a major way! With his audience participatory style of performance, Hurrey’s unique journey will entertain, educate, and inspire its audiences.
“One of my students went to see your show three times! She raved about the energy and intellingence that your show has…I have seen the show twice and have enjoyed it both times very much.”
~Kathryn Spicer, Instructor / Wayne Community College
“There are a lot of issues in our culture that are taboo to talk about. I admire anyone who addresses them.”
~Shawn Smiley, Tampa Florida
“Ayinde brought a tight, dynamic show to Tampa and rocked the house three nights in a row to fully appreciative audiences…I personally laughed to the point of tears and I see a lot of shows being in the position that I am.”
~David M. Jenkins, Artistic Director/The Jobsite Theatre / Tampa, FL
AYINDE HURREY hails from Goldsboro, North Carolina. At an early age, he began his career on the stage as a drummer/musician with The Cultural Movement, Inc., a company founded by his father, Raymond “Nilaja” Hurrey, the original percussionist for The Last Poets. His musical career eventually guided him to assume the responsibilities as Musical Director for TCM, Inc., as well as Founder/Artistic Director of Ayoluwa African Dance Company in Durham, NC. Ayinde’s background in African dance and percussion has provided him with the opportunity to perform as a guest artist with various dance companies all over the country and abroad.
In the years to come, Ayinde decided to develop his talents as an actor, writer, and director. He studied at North Carolina Central University in Durham, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and pursued his graduate training at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he received his Masters of Fine Arts in Acting. Ayinde landed his first role in a stage play in September 1991, as Reuben Mercer in August Wilson’s, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. He has played numerous roles in university as well as regional theatres. As a director, he has produced numerous West African dance concerts, West African percussion compositions as well as stage plays. His first directorial piece was For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide…When the Rainbow is Enuf, by Ntozake Shange. Ayinde’s most recent works have been Nappy Journeys, a solo piece written, directed, and performed by Hurrey and the role of T-Bone in T-Bone & Weasel.
Now residing in Pensacola, Florida, Ayinde continues to spread his theatrical energy to audiences both near and far through the efforts of Hurrey-UP Stage & FilmWorks. As producer and founder, Ayinde develops theatrical works in both stage and film with particular focus on cultural awareness and diversity. Hurrey-UP produces highly entertaining works while at the same time, acknowledging the crucial educational value of the performing arts.
Hurrey-UP Stage & FilmWork will be in residence throughout the Durham community October 18-23. He will visit various public and private schools, NCCU and perform at Hayti Heritage Center. Tickets for his production of Nappy Journey go on sale September 15.
Tickets are $10 students/ Sr. Citizens; $15 adults and can be purchased via the web at www.hayti.org or call (919) 683-1709 ext.21, or at the Hayti Heritage Center.
Sunday, October 3 at 3:00 PM @ Hayti Heritage Center
As September rolls around all who live in the Triangle area look forward to the annual Bull Durham Blues Festival schedule for September 10 and 11. This year with the change in location to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), the Bull Durham Blues Festival has added additional outreach programs to entice the traditional festival audience and embrace new ones.
AUGUST 12
AUGUST 26
Durham’s funkiest street music festival will be back on Fayetteville Street on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010 “bigger and badder” to celebrate the legacy of Durham’s Hayti community. From the opening parade up Fayetteville Street, to the vending bazaar to the all-day music on stage, Phoenix Fest will bring over 8,000 visitors to one of NC’s oldest African American communities.
St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. has been awarded a grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council to support The Legacy of Hayti film documentary project. The work in progress documentary explores the history of the Hayti Community in Durham, North Carolina. The purpose of the documentary is to encourage frank discussions centered on the legacy of both affluent and poor black families living in Hayti. The project is the concept of filmmakers Kelvin De’Marcus Allen, owner of Strategic Media Solutions Group, Jaisun McMillan, President of Virtual Media and Victor Stone Vice President of Virtual Media. Dr. Beverly Washington Jones, a retired Provost and Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at North Carolina Central University is a consultant to the project and is featured in the film.
