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Performances

The Space Race: Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion

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Time: February 9 @ 7:30 pm
Venue: Historic Academy Theatre
Cost: Free

Celebrate Black History Month with us at a special pre-release screening of “The Space Race,” a powerful National Geographic documentary produced by astronaut Leland Melvin. The film intertwines the compelling stories of Black astronauts, including pioneers like Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight, and Charles Bolden, as they strive to overcome social injustice and reach for the stars.

Join us for an evening dedicated to honoring the achievements of African-American astronauts throughout history. Doors open at 6:30 pm with engaging prescreening activities such as letters to space, a photo booth, and more. The film starts at 7:30 pm, followed by an exclusive interview and Q&A session with Leland Melvin.

Admission is free, but tickets are required for this inspiring event. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this meaningful celebration of space exploration at the Academy.

Movie Description:

THE SPACE RACE weaves together the stories of Black astronauts seeking to break the bonds of social injustice to reach for the stars, including Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight, and Charles Bolden, among many others. In THE SPACE RACE, directors Diego Hurtado de Mendoza and Lisa Cortés profile the pioneering Black pilots, scientists, and engineers who joined NASA to serve their country in space, even as their country failed to achieve equality for them back on Earth. From 1963, when the assassination of JFK thwarted Captain Ed Dwight’s quest to reach the moon, to 2020, when the echoes of the civil unrest sparked by the killing of George Floyd reached the International Space Station, the story of African Americans at NASA is a tale of world events colliding with the aspirations of uncommon men. The bright dreams of Afrofuturism become reality in THE SPACE RACE, turning science fiction into science fact and forever redefining what “the right stuff” looks like, giving us new heroes to celebrate and a fresh history to explore.

Related Links

Facebook Event Page: Coming Soon
The Space Race on National Georgaphic

Tickets:

FREE. Please reserve seats in advance.

For more information or to reserve tickets to this performance, contact our Bank of the James Ticketing Office at (434) 846-8499.

Sponsored By:

 
 
National Endowment for the Arts

Know before you go:

Age Requirement

All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket for this event unless otherwise stated. All ages are welcome.

Camera Policy

Videography and audio recording during the performances are prohibited. Photography of the set on stage is allowed pre-show, post-show, and during intermission. But we do ask that you show our designers and visiting performers some love by crediting them (and by tagging us) in your social media posts.

Content Advisory

The Academy Center of the Arts offers a diverse selection of entertainment. Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every guest or for all ages. Ticket buyers should take responsibility for making informed decisions regarding their purchases. We recommend visiting the official show website of each show you are coming to see at the Academy. If you ever have questions about the content or appropriateness of a show, please contact us at boxoffice@academycenter.org.

Doors Open

Unless otherwise noted, our lobby doors open 60 minutes prior to show time and house doors open 30 minutes prior to show time for seating.

Parking & Directions

Parking is available on-site and throughout downtown Lynchburg. Our parking map (linked below) shows all of the free public and paid parking available. In addition, street parking is also available on most streets.

View Parking & Directions Information

Ticketing Policies

Ticketing purchases are non-refundable. By purchasing a ticket to an event at The Academy Center of the Arts, you are agreeing to our ticketing policy. View our full ticketing policy.

Volunteer

Want to volunteer and see this show for free? Contact Mele Thompson, mthompson@academycenter.org, for more information.