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Dear Friends,

As we navigate this season of funding cuts, protests, and the ever present struggle toward justice, we wanted to host something that felt like reclamation. We're proud to present the third and final event of our No Independence Without Us campaign: A Home for the Brave.

Because to us, that's what NorthStar represents. A place you can come and be yourself, out loud and in full. Since the opening of our doors nearly 100 years ago, we've been a sacred home of rest and respite, built for those of us who fight every day to live in a world that wasn't designed with us in mind. And our work has truly just begun.

We hope you'll join us for three days of arts and culture programming, with a 4th of July celebration designed for kids and families followed by a community conversation with one of NorthStar's original visionaries Jaki Shelton Green. Saturday will be a day of healing, with a morning Summer Somatics class, afternoon Black Healers Market, and evening concert featuring many of Durham's most beloved musicians. On Sunday July 6th, we invite our community to join us at Sunday Service to celebrate the wins of the last six weeks.

Please read below for the full schedule and get your tickets today. Each purchase supports Durham artists and confirms your commitment to safe and welcoming community space. It shows the world not just what we're fighting against, but what we're fighting for. We can't wait to welcome you home.

In solidarity,

Lauren

RESIST ON FRIDAY, JULY 4

2:00 – 5:00 PM Tiny Rebels: Books, Beats & Play

✨ Indoor interactive storytime with Pierce Freelon (“Daddy and Me,” “Daddy-Daughter Day”)

✨ Hands-on sound garden, kiddie pools, field games, free cotton candy

✨ Rainbow Collective flag-making station—design your own banner of resistance

✨ Cool off with drinks, sweets, food and more!

7:00 – 9:00 PM On Spaces We Retreat To: Black Autonomy in Practice

Alyssa Cuffie interviews poet Jaki Shelton Green in a collective conversation about creating and protecting Black space—materially, politically, and spiritually.

HEAL ON SATURDAY, JULY 5

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Express & Release Somatic Dance

A guided movement session with Gabby—explore embodied resistance through breath, rhythm, and release.

12:00 – 4:00 PM Black Healers Market

✨ Indoor healing sessions (tarot, energy work, herbal consultations; services a la carte)

✨ Outdoor vendor bazaar of Black-owned wellness makers

✨Rotating food & drink carts—grab a bite or sip in community

5:00 – 10:00 PM Jazz & Beyond for Justice
Live sets from Durham’s jazz innovators plus Sijal (Dunums), Kenan (XOXOK) and Meltdown Rodeo—an intimate, candle-lit evening of sonic revolt.

UNITE ON SUNDAY, JULY 6

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sunday Service: Collective Drumming & Celebration

Honoring Miriam Makeba, we’ll drum together, tally our final fundraising total, share stories over refreshments, and close our weekend of resistance with community worship and joy.

Children are welcome to participate in Sunday School facilitated by the Rainbow Collective!

(No tickets required for Sunday Service)

PARKING
Street parking will be available and there is a public lot on Geer between North Street and Foster, closer to North. We encourage walking or carpooling where possible!

🎉 Calling All Volunteers! 🎉

Join the Movement at the No Independence Without Us Festival

We’re looking for passionate, reliable volunteers to help bring our 3-day No Independence Without Us festival to life, July 4–6!

This summer, join Gabrielle Rivero of Express & Release Therapeutic Dance for a six-week journey into embodied healing, collective care, and emotional expression through movement.

Whether you're navigating grief, seeking joy, or simply longing to reconnect with your body, this series offers a space to move, release, and be held — no dance experience needed.

This series is sliding scale and donation-based, with no one turned away for lack of funds. We suggest a donation of $50 for the full six-week course.

We’re aiming to raise $2,000 to support 30 participants and compensate Gabby for her time and labor.

🌱 If you have the means, please consider donating more to help offset the cost for another community member.

💛 If $50 isn’t accessible to you right now, give what you can and come anyway. Your presence matters.

Saturdays, June 28 – August 2

10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NorthStar Church of the Arts | 220 W Geer St | Durham, NC 27701-2202 US

© 2025 North Star Church of the Arts. All Rights Reserved.

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220 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701, USA