Kulturarena Jena | Lady Blackbird

In the organizer's words:

How many times have they sung us into the morning and evening? Oh yes: the melodies of the blackbird are undoubtedly among the most beautiful in the bird world. With its powerful and varied sound, it signals strength and serves more than just our pleasure. This description also applies surprisingly well to another song: the American singer Marley Munroe, alias Lady Blackbird, is also known for her strong voice. Critics around the world bow reverently to her vocal ability and here too it seems clear: the powerful voice is not just there for our ear pleasure, it is an expression of so much more.

A nice comparison, but in truth there is something more profound behind the name. Marley Munroe chose it in reference to the song "Blackbird", which was released in the 1960s by the singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone. "Why you wanna fly Blackbird? You ain't ever gonna fly." it says. The blackbird will never fly. The song is about the struggles and pain of the black community, especially black women, hopelessness and lack of belonging. Blackbird was also a slang term for black girls.

And there is more. Behind the name Blackbird is also the power of a remarkable character who grew up religious, never really identified with it, later discovered her own identity as a queer woman and eventually took on a challenging journey to self-acceptance. In the course of her eventful life, Lady Blackbird is able to free herself from religious and social shackles, confidently spreads her feathers and... she flies.

She experiences the best flights through song, which accompanies her throughout her life. Her visionary voice miraculously blends soul, jazz, gospel, psychedelic rock and pop. With the overwhelming success of her debut album and a new, wildly acclaimed album called "Slang Spirituals", the artist is now looking forward to presenting the works on selected stages. She herself describes the album as an expression of her deepest emotions and experiences. The blackbird flies.

Price information:

Advance booking: € 22.00 Box Office: € 27.00 Children's tickets required