How the Blues Connects Cultures Takes Center Stage

The Alabama Blues Project is inviting the community to take a deeper look at the music that helped shape the world's sound.

On Friday, March 6, 2026, at 5 p.m., the Alabama Blues Project will host a special evening at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center celebrating the blues and the powerful role it has played in connecting cultures, generations, and musical styles across the globe.

"Music has been such a big part of my whole life," said Executive Director Ashley R. Wheat, who will deliver a keynote presentation titled “How Music Brings People Together,” highlighting the lasting impact of the blues, which is widely considered America’s first homegrown music.

"My love for music has always been something I've wanted to pass down to the next generation."

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The evening will also feature live performances from Alabama Blues Project instructors. The Society for American Music supports the event as part of its “Sounding the Nation at 250” project and will take place alongside the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa’s First Friday.

During the First Friday events, guests can enjoy art exhibits inside the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center as well as explore nearby downtown galleries.

Admission is free and open to the public.