E90- Frederick Douglass: Our North Star
In this episode Kwame Daniels, a creative director, DJ, broadcaster, and cultural producer, is in conversation with Jessica Khan, Short Fuse guest host, around his immersive live musical performance, North Star. The show is inspired by Frederick Douglass' historic 1845 speech in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In this episode, they reflect on how Frederick Douglass might have responded to the recent unrest in North Ireland, involving a Sudanese immigrant, along with the range of contemporary issues facing our society. North Star brings together history, music, and storytelling and demonstrates how performance can bring history to life, spark conversations about identity and belonging, and create meaningful cultural connections. The American premiere was held at the Irish Arts Center in New York City and was co-commissioned by Irish Arts Center and Lyric Theatre.
Guest Host: Jessica Khan
Jessica Khan is a Bronx native and a rising senior at the University of Richmond, where she has a double major in journalism and political science with a minor in leadership studies. As the current music director of one of the university's a cappella groups, Jessica continues to pursue her passion for singing while developing her skills as a journalist. She is driven by a commitment to uncovering the truth and telling stories that often go untold, using storytelling to bridge divides, spark conversation, and bring overlooked voices into the spotlight.
The Short Fuse hosted by ELIZABETH HOWARD, are conversations with artists, writers, musicians, and others who have a lens on contemporary thought and stir us to seek change. Through their art, music, performances, and singular vision they lead us through the social and environmental transformations sweeping across the globe. Gerald Kent, a musician and audio engineer based in Cape Town, South Africa, is the producer of the Short Fuse. Jessica Khan assisted in editing the conversation.
“Artists are here to disturb the peace.” James Baldwin.
The Short Fuse is distributed through theArts Fuse, a journal of arts criticism and commentary.
