Schedule Of Events:

Sunday January7,2024
2:00 – 4:00 PM

Happy Birthday, Zora
Location: Orange County Library System
Address: 101 East Central Boulevard, Orlando 32801
Cost: Free and open to the public

In partnership with the ZORA! Festival we celebrate the life and work of Zora Neale Hurston with music, poetry, and a lecture on Zora Neale Hurston and Black Women’s Self-definition.

SCHEDULE:
Introduction
Don Black Jazz Performance

Hear saxophonist Don Black perform. His approach to music, whether it be it blues, jazz or pop is poetic, rhythmic and soulful. Don plays homage to Zora’s involvement in the Harlem Renaissance
https://ibamusic.com/artist/don-black/

Juaquina She Poetry Reading
Experience the poetry of Juaquina She. Through the written word and public speaking Juaquina She creates safe spaces for women. She has two published books “She: A Poetic Memoir” and “Royalty”.
https://www.thejuaquinashe.com/

Lecture Zora Neale Hurston and Black Women’s Self definition
Listen as Dr. Rondrea Mathis discusses Zora Neale Hurston and Black Women’s Self-definition.

Writer. Scholar. Thinker. Dr. Mathis is currently an Assistant Professor of English at Bethune Cookman University. Dr. Mathis’ research interests include

Black feminism, Womanism, Black women’s theology, Black girlhood studies.
www.rondreadanielle.com

Saturday January 20,2024

11:00 AM- 2:00 PM

Opening Exhibition at The Hurston Museum

Event Highlight: Voices: The Art of Louise Deininger

Location: Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts (The Hurston)

Address: 344 East Kennedy Boulevard, Maitland, FL 32751

Cost: Free and open to the public

Thursday January 25,2024

10:00 – 12:00 PM
Afrofuturism Conference (Day 2 of 4 | Morning Session)

Welcome and Keynote Addresses

Keynote Speakers: Dr. Julian Chambliss and Dr. Bruce Janz

Event Highlight: 2024 marks the fifth and final year of the ZORA! Festival’s Academic Conference Cycle devoted to an exploration of Afrofuturism and the Hurston Legacy

In-person & Virtual

Location: Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
Address: 412 East Kennedy Boulevard, Maitland, FL 32751
Cost : Free and open to the public

For More Details

1:30 – 4:00 PM

Afrofuturism Conference (Day 2 of 4 | Afternoon Session)

Hungerford School Panel, Poster Session, and History Harvest

Keynote Speakers: Dr. Scot French / Community Participants TBA

Event Highlight: 2024 marks the fifth and final year of the ZORA! Festival’s Academic Conference Cycle devoted to an exploration of Afrofuturism and the Hurston Legacy

In-person & Virtual

Location: Denton Johnson Community Center
Address: 400 Ruffel St., Maitland, FL 32751
Cost : Free and open to the public

For More Details

5:00 – 6:00 PM

Progressive Reception (Session 1)

Event Highlight: A Collaboration between The Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts (The Hurston Museum) in Eatonville and Art & History Museums of Maitland

In-person only

Location: The Hurston Museum
Address: 344 East Kennedy Boulevard, Maitland, FL 32751
Cost : Free and open to the Public

6:15 – 7:30 PM

Progressive Reception (Session 2)

Event Highlight: A Collaboration between The Hurston Museum and the Art & History Museums

In-person only

Location: The Art & History Museums
Address: 231 West Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Cost : Free and open to the Public

Friday January 26,2024

10:00 – 11:30 AM

Afrofuturism Conference (Day 3 of 4 | Morning Session)

Panel Discussion: “Zora Neale Hurston through Space, Place, and Time”

Panelist: Sidney Rose McCall, Dr. Christopher Peace, Rae Chesny

In-person & Virtual

Location: Denton Johnson Community Center
Address: 400 Ruffel St., Maitland, FL 32751
Cost : Free and open to the public

For More Details

1:30 – 2:45 PM

Afrofuturism Conference (Day 3 of 4 | Afternoon Session)

Closing Keynote Address Speaker: Dr. Lonny J Avi Brooks

In-person & Virtual

Location: Denton Johnson Community Center
Address: 400 Ruffel St., Maitland, FL 32751
Cost : Free and open to the public

For More Details

9:00 – 5:00 PM

ZORA! - Outdoor Festival of the Arts (Education Day)

Event Highlight: “Education Day” for K- 12 Students

In-person only

Location: Along East Kennedy Boulevard
Address: 344 East Kennedy Boulevard, Maitland, FL 32751
Cost : Free & Open to Children and Adults

Featuring:

Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts
Children’s “Make-and-Take” Tent
ZORA! STEM Hub Tent
Fine Arts & Master Crafts Booths
International Marketplace
Eatonville Public Library Branch Programming
Student Performances on the Main Stage
AND MUCH MORE

Register Now

Saturday January 27,2024

10:00 – 12:00 PM

Afrofuturism Conference (Day 4 of 4)
Walking Tour of Zora’s Eatonville with Rae Chesny
Presenter: Rae Chesny

In-person only

Location: Denton Johnson Community Center
Address: 400 Ruffel St., Maitland, FL 32751
Cost : Free and open to the public

9:00 – 6:00 PM

ZORA! - Outdoor Festival of the Arts (Family Day)

Event Highlight: Outdoor festival plus live performers

Performances by: EU, Club Nouveau, Fire Light and more artists to be added

In-person only
Location: Along East Kennedy Boulevard
Address: 344 East Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville, FL 32751
Cost: See details below

General Admission Costs:

General Admission: $20.00
Free Admission to Children (0 – High School) –Middle & High school students asked to show current student i.d.
VIP Costs & Inclusion:

VIP for Saturday: $100.00
VIP Includes: Up-front seating, Gourmet Treats, and 2 complimentary beverages
VIP Ticket Sales End: January 23, 2024

Featuring:

Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts
Children’s “Make-and-Take” Tent
Florida Historical Society
Fine Arts & Master Crafts Booths
International Marketplace
Eatonville Public Library Branch Programming
International Marketplace Booths
Free Parking
Food, fun and shopping for all ages
AND MUCH MORE

Buy a Tickets

7:30 PM- 9:30 PM

"An Evening Inspired by Zora Neale Hurston"

Event Highlight: Dinner menu inspired by her research | Harlem Renaissance-era attire encouraged

In-person only

Location: First United Methodist Church of Orlando
Address: 142 E Jackson St, Orlando, FL 32801
Cost: See details below
Individual Tickets: $200.00

Reserved Table of 6: $1800.00

Features:

Menu inspired by Zora’s folklore research; all food prepared from scratch, and organic by Chef Crystal Clarke
Guests are encouraged to dress on the fashion of the Harlem-Renaissance-era
Swag will be inspired by Southern, rural African-American tradition

Buy a Tickets

Sunday January 28,2024

8:30 – 9:45 AM

Traditional Christian Worship Service (Ecumenical)

Event Highlight: Worship Service Prepared by Church Members Wanda Randolph and Louise Franklin

In-person (The Public is Welcome)

Location: St. Lawrence African Methodist Episcopal Church
Address: 549 East Kennedy Boulevard, Maitland, FL 32751


11:00 – 5:00 PM

ZORA! - Outdoor Festival of the Arts (Day for Reflection)

Event Highlight: Outdoor festival plus live performers

Performances by: Nelson Curry, Tony Wilson, Joe II Tex and T.J. ****** Taylor

In-person only

Location: Along East Kennedy Boulevard
Address: 344 East Kennedy Boulevard, Maitland, FL 32751
Cost: See details below

General Admission Costs:

General Admission: $20.00
VIP Costs & Inclusion:

VIP: $100.00
VIP Includes: Up-front seating, Gourmet Treats, and 2 complimentary beverages
VIP Ticket Sales End: January 23, 2024

Featuring:

Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts
Children’s “Make-and-Take” Tent
Florida Historical Society
Fine Arts & Master Crafts Booths
International Marketplace
Eatonville Public Library Branch Programming
International Marketplace Booths
Free Parking
Food, fun and shopping for all ages
AND MUCH MORE

Buy a Tickets

Saturday February 17,2024

3:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern

Gathering & Gabbing, Zora Neale Hurston Book Club

Book Title: A Readers' Choice Session

Virtual Link: Virtual-only (Registration required)

Register Now

Schedule:

Thursday February 22,2024

5:30 – 7:30 PM

A Farewell to Artist Louise Deininger

Location: Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts
Address: 344 East Kennedy Boulevard, Maitland, FL 32751
Cost: Donations requested

Saturday March 16,2024

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Gathering & Gabbing, Zora Neale Hurston Book Club
Book Title: A Readers' Choice Session
Virtual Link: Virtual-only (Registration required)

Register Now

Saturday May 18,2024

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Gathering & Gabbing, Zora Neale Hurston Book Club
Book Title: A Readers' Choice Session
Virtual Link: Virtual-only (Registration required)

Register Now

Sunday October 19,2024

12:00 – 2:00 PM

HATitude Cultural Flair

In-person only

Location: Winter Park Events Center
Address: 1050 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park 32789
Cost: TBD

Date: January 7 - October19,2024

Location: Various Location

Click Here for More Information