In 2017, award-winning artist and musician Napoleon Maddox debuted Twice the First Time at the Contemporary Arts Center’s Black Box performance space. The multimedia work tells the story of his great-grandaunts Millie-Christine McKoy, conjoined twins who were born into slavery in North Carolina in 1851 and later became a sideshow circus act, touring the world and eventually learning multiple languages, meeting Queen Victoria and making enough money to support their family (and their manager’s family).
Now, back by popular demand, Maddox is performing his work at the Woodward Theater after touring it across festivals and theaters in France and Italy. Watch as Maddox highlights the twins’ experiences with exploitation, captivity and liberation through Hip Hop, performance art, Jazz and video. Featuring special guest Marc Cary as part of the Underworld Jazz Festival.
7-10:30 p.m. Friday, May 17. $10. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. More info here.
This article appears in May 8-15, 2019.