Created by

Williams, Saul, American, born 1972

Subject of

Lichtenstein, Roy, American, 1923 - 1997

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 4 1/16 × 6 1/16 in. (10.3 × 15.4 cm)

Type

postcards

Place printed

Austin, Travis County, Texas, United States, North and Central America

Date

2008

Description

The front of the postcard features four artworks by Roy Lichtenstein in each quadrant of the postcard. The reproduced artwork in the upper left corner, originally entitled "Forget it! Forget Me!” depicts the proper left side of a man's face with a woman in the background. A callout is above the woman and to the right of the man [BUT SWEETIE, / I GOT US TICKETS!]. The reproduced work in the upper right corner is "Kiss V." The image depicts a man and woman embracing, with the woman on the left side and the man on the right. The woman is seen crying with her proper right hand grasping the man's proper left shoulder. The reproduced work in the lower left corner is from the work "Ohhh...Alright..." with black text replacing the original words [SO BETH, WHAT / HAPPENED / TO TOM?]. The image depicts a red haired woman talking into the black handset of a telephone. In the lower right corner is the work "Oh, Jeff... I love you, too... But..." with the original text replaced by [TOM WHO?! / GIRLFRIEND, / IT'S ALL ABOUT / JAMAL NOW!!]. The image depicts a blond haired woman talking into the white handset of a telephone. In the middle of the quadrants at the center it lists the artists featured in the advertised gallery in stylized font [saul williams is now / NIGGY TARDUST / FIRST SHOW EVER/ w"/" the NOISETTES, EARL GREY HOUND / GAME REBELLION, THE EXIT, THE THIRST, AFROBOTS]. Above the top two quadrants to right is black text [Matrix Presents Afro-Punk]. In the lower right corner is a column of text with the venue information [Wednesday 12th March / VICE aka EXODUS / 304 6th St. / Austin, TX, 78701 / Tel. 512-477-7523]. To the left of the column of text is a red logo advertising the car manufacturer Toyota and the car called the Matrix. The logo includes the Toyota symbol to the left of text [TOYOTA / MATRIX]. In a circle in the lower left quadrant is the time for the event [7PM / SHARP!!]. The circle has a thick black rim. On the reverse of the postcard is a black, white, and blue illustration in the style of Lichtenstein. The image depicts a woman with black hair crying. She raises her proper right hand to her proper right cheek. Above her head, right of center in the top half of the image, is a thought bubble with black text [OH GOD! WHY CAN'T / MY BOYFRIEND BE / AFRO-PUNK?!]. In the lower right corner of the image is a black and white illustration of a man who looks at the woman. Surrounding the illustration is a thick black border. Behind both figures, is a blue background with white polka dots.

Topic

African American

Art

Graphic design

Hip hop (Music)

Identity

Language

Rock and roll (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Saul Williams

Object number

2014.188.6

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Used by

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, American, founded 1925

Subject of

Burks, Donnie, American, 1939 - 2008

Curry, Steve

Dyson, Ronnie, American, 1950 - 1990

Eaton, Sally, American, born 1946

Keaton, Diane, American, born 1946

McGuire, Barry, American, born 1935

Milford, Richard Kim, American, 1951 - 1988

Moore, Melba, American, born 1945

Plimpton, Shelley, American, born 1947

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 6 in. (22.9 x 15.2 cm)

Type

theater programs

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1967

Description

Playbill for Hair. White background with yellow box at top; white box below, title is black block lettering. [Biltmore/Theatre/PLAYBILL/the national magazine for theatregoers/I/HAIR] White circular sticker on back, handwritten 1968.

Topic

African American

Actors

Broadway Theatre

Musical Theatre

Rock and roll (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number

2011.45.39

Restrictions & Rights

Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Subject of

Burks, Donnie, American, 1939 - 2008

Eaton, Sally, American, born 1946

Lynch, Charles O., 1940 - 2008

MacRae, Heather, American, born 1946

Moore, Melba, American, born 1945

Plimpton, Shelley, American, born 1947

Robinson, Erik

Sommer, Bert, American, 1949 - 1990

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 6 in. (22.9 x 15.2 cm)

Type

theater programs

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

Playbill for Hair. White background with yellow box at top; white box below, title is black block lettering. [Biltmore/Theatre/PLAYBILL/the national magazine for theatregoers/I/HAIR]

Topic

African American

Actors

Broadway Theatre

Musical Theatre

Rock and roll (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number

2011.45.40

Restrictions & Rights

Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Studio Films, Inc., American, 1951 - 1956

Directed by

Kohn, Joseph

Produced by

Frye, Ben, American

Subject of

Apollo Theater, founded 1913

Ellington, Duke, American, 1899 - 1974

Lionel Hampton, American, 1908 - 2002

Vaughan, Sarah, American, 1924 - 1990

Russell, Nipsey, American, 1918 - 2005

Coles & Atkins, American, 1940 - 1959

Darnell, Larry, American, 1921 - 1983

Bryant, Willie, American, 1908 - 1964

The Clovers, American, founded 1946

Washington, Dinah, American, 1924 - 1963

Cole, Nat King, American, 1919 - 1965

Big Turner, Joe, American, 1911 - 1985

Reed, Leonard, American, 1907 - 2004

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

35mm Film (a): acetate film;

35mm Film (b): acetate film;

35mm Film (c): acetate film;

35mm Film (d): acetate film;

Dimensions

Duration: 70 Minutes

Length (Film) - Reel 1: 1630 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 2: 1765 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 3: 1520 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 4: 1440 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1955

Caption

"Rock-n-Roll Revue" is a 1955 feature film compiled by Studio Films, Inc. from previously recorded Snader Telescriptions featuring renowned African American jazz singers and musicians from the 1950s. The film includes performances by Duke Ellington, Larry Darnell, Coles and Atkins, The Clovers, Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole, Big Joe Turner, Willie Bryant, and Leonard Reed.

Description

35mm black and white compilation film of a variety of short musical 'Soundie' films made for music-film jukeboxes, and television, by the Snader Telescription and Studio companies in the 1950s.

Consists of: Four 35mm Film Prints (a-d) and Original Film Reels (e-h).

2012.79.1.84.1a-d: 35mm film. The film begins with a title sequence that announces each performer as a firework explodes behind their name. A credit roll then displays the below the line contributors. Next, an announcer introduces the emcee, Willie Bryant, during a shot of a theater audience. Bryant emerges from behind a curtain as the audience applauds. He begins his introduction of the show’s proceedings; he refers to the show as the “Harlem Variety Revue.” Bryant then introduces the first performer, Duke Ellington. The curtain parts and Ellington and his orchestra perform “The Mooche.” After the conclusion of the song, the curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering as Willie Bryant again appears to announce the next performer, Larry Darnell. Darnell performs “What More Do You Want Me To Do.” After the performance ends, the curtains close while Darnell bows and the audience cheers. Willie Bryant then emerges onstage as the curtains re-open and Darnell bows in Bryant’s direction. The two men then exchange playful gestures and Bryant tells a joke. Bryant segues into an introduction of the tap dancing duo, Coles & Atkins. The duo then perform a short routine. After the routine, Bryant, Coles and Atkins perform a comedic piece based around Bryant interrupting their performance. Coles & Atkins then goad Bryant into dancing with them and the three men perform a brief routine. There are multiple shots of the audience cheering when they leave the stage. Bryant then introduces The Clovers, who perform “Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash.” After the song ends, there is another comedy routine with Willie Bryant, Coles & Atkins, and Leonard Reed. There are multiple shots of the audience before Bryant introduces Dinah Washington, who performs “Only a Moment Ago.” Bryant then introduces Nat King Cole, who performs “The Trouble With Me Is You.” After multiple shots of the audience when the song concludes, Bryant again introduces Duke Ellington, who performs “The Hawk Talks” with his orchestra. There are multiple shots of the drummer Louie Bellson as he performs a drum solo during the song. Bryant introduces Big Joe Turner by way of a comedy bit with Leonard Reed. Turner performs “Oke-She-Moke-She-Pop” with backing by the Paul Williams Band. The film concludes with a shot of the audience cheering.

2012.79.1.84.1e-h: Original film reels.

Topic

African American

Comedy

Entertainers

Film

Jazz (Music)

Musicians

Rhythm and blues (Music)

Rock and roll (Music)

Tap dancing

Variety shows (Television)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number

2012.79.1.84.1a-d

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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Collection title

Pearl Bowser Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

The Jackson 5, American, 1964 - 1975

Medium

pigment on printing paper, plastic, pressure-sensitive tape

Dimensions

H x W (Paper): 6 1/4 × 8 1/2 in. (15.9 × 21.6 cm)

H x W (Overall): 7 1/2 × 9 7/16 in. (19 × 24 cm)

Type

plans (drawings)

Date

1971

Description

A photocopy of a hand drawn diagram for the Jackson Five's stage requirements. The diagram is in black pigment on white paper. It details a stage, barrier, drum riser, and stage wings with dimensions for all elements provided. The back of the diagram is blank. The paper is dye cut at the top with two holes and there are multiple small holes, likely from staples, on the upper left of the paper. The diagram is in a sealed laminate or clear adhesive sleeve. The plastic is larger than the diagram and the border on the back is covered in masking tape.

Topic

African American

Business

Disco (Music)

Popular music

Rock and roll (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2010.23.1b

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

American Guild of Variety Artists, founded 1939

Used by

Club Harlem, American, 1935 - 1986

Received by

Delltones

Subject of

Alton, Ben

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)

Type

contracts

Place depicted

32 N. Kentucky Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, North and Central America

Date

March 31, 1956

Description

A business contract between Club Harlem and the musical group the Delltones obligating the musicians to perform at the club for two (2) consecutive days starting March 31, 1956 for one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125.00) paid immediately after the first performance. The contract was drawn up on a contract form created by the American Guild of Variety Artists. The contract is signed and dated by the Delltones: Ben, Stan and Pat. A letter is also attached to the contract from Gale Agency Inc., addressed to Pop Williams, stating that the contract between Club Harlem and the Delltones is enclosed and is a copy for his files. The letter is signed by Bill Peterson.

Topic

African American

Business

Nightlife

Rock and roll (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Henrietta W. Shelton, Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, Inc.

Object number

2011.145.4.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Used by

St. James Theatre, American, founded 1927

Subject of

Townshend, Pete, British, born 1945

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 8 1/2 x 5 3/8 in. (21.6 x 13.7 cm)

Type

theater programs

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1993-1995

Description

Playbill for The Who’s Tommy. White background with yellow box at top; white box below with graphic repeatedly spelling out the title, as well as lyrics. [PLAYBILL/ST. JAMES THEATRE/THE/WHO'S/TOMMY/THE/WHO'S/TOMMY/THE/WHO'S/TOMMY/TOMMY/CAN YOU/HEAR ME/THE/WHO'S/EVER SINCE/I WAS A/YOUNG BOY]

Topic

African American

Broadway Theatre

Musical Theatre

Rock and roll (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number

2011.45.95

Restrictions & Rights

Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture