I'm devastated to have missed Benjamin Lay. He sounds like my mind of fellow. The sky in Pittsburgh is a tonic, especially from under the relentless grey ceiling of my little pocket of Earth. Thank you for the reprieve, my friend.
Thanks so much Chloe. Glad to have dispatched you a couple of tonics. Maybe you'll be able to see "The Return of Benjamin Lay" down the line, or come together with Marcus Rediker and me and related ideas in another way.... Watch this (or a related) space. Could you private message me a best email address (if I can't dig one up from our earlier correspondence)?
Gosh, this was interesting! I've never heard of Benjamin Lay, but now I am completely fascinated by him and am off to look him up. Thank you for the introduction. Your pictures are wonderfully atmospheric, as always. I am intrigued by Pittsburgh - the area you have photographed could almost be northern England.
Thanks so much June. Lay is a fascinating figure. Pittsburgh is a little gem, an old steel town making its proud ways forward, and you're dead right to perceive kinship and affinity with northern England...
Your second-to-last photo here has the same startling color palette as most of your watercolors - that lovely acid green, the dark red, the vibrant gold, the clear pale blue. The second photo also echoes those exact same colors. Those painted green fence posts backed by red brick. Wow! What an eye you have, Kenneth.
Pittsburg is what you say it is also for me. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of its urban fabric with its endless appeals, and thank you for introducing me to Benjamin Lay!
Delighted but not surprised our sensibilities complement and overlap yet again. Helmut! Endeavour to see this play, whether in Pittsburgh (until 23rd), or in NYC or Philly...
Directed by Ron Daniels, this Quantum Theatre production continues at the Braddock Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh until 23 February. It moves to New York City’s Sheen Center (14 March to 6 April 2025), and then, appropriately enough, on to the Quintessence Theatre in Philadelphia (1-18 May 2025).
Great post! As chance would have it, I’m discussing a chapter of “All Slave-Keepers are apostates” on Monday with my students. I was in London when the play premiered, and now I regret not going to watch it.
You sold me on Benjamin Lay and Pittsburgh. Well done on the voiceover reading too.
Gracias! So glad this appeals! Get to Pittsburgh and the play.
I'm devastated to have missed Benjamin Lay. He sounds like my mind of fellow. The sky in Pittsburgh is a tonic, especially from under the relentless grey ceiling of my little pocket of Earth. Thank you for the reprieve, my friend.
Thanks so much Chloe. Glad to have dispatched you a couple of tonics. Maybe you'll be able to see "The Return of Benjamin Lay" down the line, or come together with Marcus Rediker and me and related ideas in another way.... Watch this (or a related) space. Could you private message me a best email address (if I can't dig one up from our earlier correspondence)?
Gosh, this was interesting! I've never heard of Benjamin Lay, but now I am completely fascinated by him and am off to look him up. Thank you for the introduction. Your pictures are wonderfully atmospheric, as always. I am intrigued by Pittsburgh - the area you have photographed could almost be northern England.
Thanks so much June. Lay is a fascinating figure. Pittsburgh is a little gem, an old steel town making its proud ways forward, and you're dead right to perceive kinship and affinity with northern England...
Your second-to-last photo here has the same startling color palette as most of your watercolors - that lovely acid green, the dark red, the vibrant gold, the clear pale blue. The second photo also echoes those exact same colors. Those painted green fence posts backed by red brick. Wow! What an eye you have, Kenneth.
You with the eye.
Pittsburg is what you say it is also for me. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of its urban fabric with its endless appeals, and thank you for introducing me to Benjamin Lay!
Delighted but not surprised our sensibilities complement and overlap yet again. Helmut! Endeavour to see this play, whether in Pittsburgh (until 23rd), or in NYC or Philly...
Great, inspiring post during these tough times. I'll hope to find my way to the play in NYC or Philly. Hope all's well with you and yours--
Thanks, sweet Ed. Find a way to go, and spread the word.
Thank you for this post, Ken. We all could use a little encouragement and such a wonderful example of courage right now.
Gracias Don. I hope you can see the play in Philadelphia!
when is it coming here!?
Directed by Ron Daniels, this Quantum Theatre production continues at the Braddock Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh until 23 February. It moves to New York City’s Sheen Center (14 March to 6 April 2025), and then, appropriately enough, on to the Quintessence Theatre in Philadelphia (1-18 May 2025).
hell yes, thank you!
I like the thought of you seeing this play, drinking it in and connecting.
Great post! As chance would have it, I’m discussing a chapter of “All Slave-Keepers are apostates” on Monday with my students. I was in London when the play premiered, and now I regret not going to watch it.
Fantastic! Thanks Thiago.