Pinkster’s Legacy

Tune in for a captivating discussion with local historians, Lavada Nahon and Chief Baba Neil Clarke, as we unravel the significance of Pinkster, exploring its cultural, social, and historical importance.From Pinkster’s roots in the traditions of enslaved Africans to its enduring impact on contemporary society, Nahon and Clarke offer invaluable insights into the enduring spirit of resilience and community that define this uniquely northeastern holiday. Hosted by VCPA’s Arts Integration Strategist Ashley Hart Adams on Zoom.

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We hope you’ll join us in person for our annual Pinkster Festival on Saturday, May 4th from 12PM-4PM on the picturesque lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum for a day filled with vibrant festivities, live music, engaging performances, and immersive experiences. Admission is FREE!

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.

About Lavada Nahon: Lavada Nahon is the interpreter of African American history for The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation-Bureau of Historic Sites. She is also a culinary historian focused on the 17th to 19th century mid-Atlantic region, with an emphasis on the work of enslaved cooks in the homes of the elite class. She has 18 plus years of public history experience working with a variety of historic sites, societies, and museums across the tri-state region. Lavada has developed educational programs, after-school programs, lectures and tours, period presentations and historic dinners for sites ranging from the New York Historical Society, Albany Institute of Art and History, Dyckman Farmhouse Museum, Johnson Hall, and many more. She worked as a museum associate and educator for Historic Hudson Valley for 12 years at Van Cortlandt Manor and Philipsburg Manor Upper Mills, and as a production coordinator for their special events team for 3 years. Her mission is to bring history to life by giving presence to the Africans and people of African descent enslaved and free in the landmass that was once New Netherland/New York in whatever way possible.

About Chief Baba Neil Clarke: Neil Clarke is internationally acclaimed as a percussionist involved with traditional African drumming and the percussive arts for more than half a century. In addition to his activities as a professional performer, Chief Baba Neil (as he is now affectionately called), has been active in arts in education programming for more than four decades as an educator and a consultant. He has conducted artist residencies and designed programming at all educational levels from elementary and middle school through secondary and college. he has served as a presenter and consultant for many of the major cultural institutions in the New York area including The Caribbean Cultural Center, the Museum of Natural History, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, to name a few.