Bar Redux Presents CULTURE QUEENS: Photography Exhibition, Documentary Screenings & Performance By Big Chief Brian Harrison Nelson, celebrates the unique culture and distinctly NOLA tradition of The Mardi Gras Indians & Baby Dolls. The evening will feature the art opening for the photography of Vincent Simmons and Henry York, Documentary screenings, and live performance by Big Chief Brian Harrison Nelson. Local photographers Vincent Simmons and Henry York team up again with a different exhibition, focusing on Mardi Gras Indian Queens and The Baby Dolls, titled CULTURE QUEENS. Vincent Simmons interest in Photography started at very young age. "Born and raised in a city with so much physical and spiritual diversity allowed me to become better with my craft and appreciate New Orleans more than I could ever imagine. Be it; Documentary, wildlife, portraiture, special events, my photography allows me to share and express my passion with the pictures I make. I was raised never to take anything for granted. So when something visually peeks my interest I know the moment is mine to capture because it can vanish at any given time. Henry York is a retired NYC Bus Operator who moved to NOLA in 2009. His close relationship with James Andrews is responsible for his being one of The Treme's most well known street photo journalists. He has volunteered as a photographer for French Quarter Fest, Satchmo Fest, Jazz Fest, Second Lines, and is the house photographer for the Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar. He regularly photographs the music & burlesque scenes. Henry loves to photograph the Mardi Gras Indians during St. Joseph's Night and Super Sunday. Big Chief Brian Harrison Nelson is one of the youngest known big chiefs in the history of the New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indian Nation. In 2014 he was crowned a Nkem (royal chief), within the N’weh Nation of Cameroon, West Africa. In 2011 Brian earned his MFA in cinematic arts from the University of Southern California. His thesis film, “Keeper of the Flame,” has received local, national, and international awards and honors including the prestigious Paul Robeson Award for independent Black Film. Big Chief Brian currently is filming a documentary entitled "Hail to the Queens," supported by a grant. The film explores the Black Indian tradition from a woman's perspective. As a musical artist he has been featured on several CDs. In addition to filmmaking, Brian currently coordinates youth anti bullying and literacy campaigns throughout New Orleans. He continues to travel the world as a performing artist and as a student of the tradition of the Black Mardi Gras Indian Nation. GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME: A View From Within, Directed by Maroon Queen Cherice Harrison-Nelson, will be screened on the patio, followed by Q & A, with Filmmakers, Maroon Queen Chercie Harrison-Nelson and Big Chief Brian Harrison of Guardians of The Flame, with live performance, The exhibition opening and festivities will take place on Thursday, September 14th at 8 pm, at Bar Redux at 801 Poland Avenue. Admission is $5 Donation for film screenings and live performance, as a fundraiser for Hail To The Queens, Documentary, by Big Chief Brian Harrison. Join us for CULTURE QUEENS, and celebrating the unique and beautiful women of NOLA with Photography Exhibition by Vincent Simmons and Henry York, Documentary Film Screenings, Q & A, and Live Music Performance By Big Chief Brian Harrison Nelson., on September 14th. This Event is linked to Hail to The Queens: Film Documentary Screenings By Big Chief Brian Harrison, & Maroon Queen Cherice Harrison Nelson's One Woman Show, "If You Don't Like What The Big Queen Says...", on September 16th at Bar Redux. CULTURE QUEENS Photography Exhibition will run through October 11th.
