Local exhibit + performance showcase Black and Nordic cultures

Photo by Jim Coleman

Ever had a really enlightening yap sesh with friends? Okay, now picture that — but make it art .

The National Nordic Museum and the Spectrum Dance Theater Company have collaborated on a new local exhibit + dance performance highlighting the ways cultures interact.

“ Nordic Utopia?: African Americans in the 20th Century ”, an exhibit running at the National Nordic Museum until July 21, follows African American artists who made a chance-y move to Nordic countries (at a time when Paris was the usual destination) and the works they made while living there.

“ DIALOGUE ,” created by Spectrum, is a response to those works that comes after the Nordic people developed their own influence from its growing community of Black Americans. Set to music by Swedish jazz pianist Esbjörn Svensson, the dance blends styles from both sides of the Atlantic.

Performances of “DIALOGUE” are scheduled for Wednesday, May 1-Saturday, May 4 + Wednesday, May 8-Saturday, May 11, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. each day. The performance is free to attend .