Passengers on a train don’t often think of the tracks. But the critically acclaimed Silkroad Ensemble has explored the multicultural history of the Transcontinental Railroad and its construction.
On Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Hodgson Concert Hall, the ensemble, led by artistic director Rhiannon Giddens, presents “American Railroad,” a musical portrait of the varied people who laid the rails.
After completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, a trip from coast to coast that used to take months was shortened to just under a week, allowing for the transport of goods and ideas across the continent. Profit-seeking corporations and the American government financed it, but the people who actually built it — Indigenous and African Americans as well as Irish, Chinese, Japanese and other immigrant laborers — are the focus of Silkroad’s “American Railroad.”
Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998, recognizing the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration — for the exchange of ideas, tradition and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a musical language founded in difference, thus creating the foundation of Silkroad: both a touring ensemble comprised of world-class musicians from all over the globe and a Boston-based nonprofit organization working to make a positive impact across borders through the arts.
Today, under the leadership of Giddens and Executive Director Ben Hartley, Silkroad leads social impact initiatives and educational programming alongside the creation of new music by the Grammy Award-winning ensemble.
Also join the audience for a free pre-performance talk by Alicia Reese, Silkroad’s director of strategic partnerships and impact, in Ramsey Concert Hall from 6:15-6:45 p.m.
This performance is supported by Catherine B. Kleiner.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (five-minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
Audience members can create their own series of three or more performances for 10% off. UGA Presents single tickets start at just $25 with promo code PAC25, and UGA student tickets are $10. Parking is free.
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.