Watch Now: Sounds From The River - The Live Performance, Powered by America’s River Roots

Experience a powerful blend of live performance, narrative, and music, as Sounds From The River traces a shared journey from Indigenous tribal songs and field hollers to spirituals, gospel, blues, jazz, bluegrass, country, zydeco, and hip-hop—revealing how creativity, movement, and exchange connect families and communities across generations.

Filmed live at the P&G Theater at the Aronoff Center for the Arts for all 6th Grade Cincinnati Public School students, this performance kicks off Artswave’s More Arts, More Kids season.Written and directed for the stage by Rico Bruce Wade, with multi-cam direction by cinematographer Drew Thomas of Abbott Elementary, this rich performance takes us on a journey across the waterways of the United States, guided by Griot Omope Carter Daboiku, and featuring the music of Jason Holmes and The Sounds From the River Band, vocals from Vee Gibson, Ciara Harper, and Robert Lomax, with original dance performances by Revolution Dance Theatre.Check out the full curriculum for the Sounds From The River experience at BooksAliveForKids.com.

Sounds From the River is an original Learning Through Art, Inc. Production, powered by
America’s River Roots Festival and the Louise Taft Semple Foundation.

Generous Support Provided By:
ArtsWave
Cincinnati Arts Association
City of Cincinnati
Clarke, Edwards. Spencer Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation
Interact for Health
Ohio Arts Council
PNC Bank

With Special Thanks to:
IATSE Local #5
Cincinnati Arts Association
The Camera Department
Midwest Grip & Lighting
GreenCraft Media
ITA Audio Visual Solutions
Isaac Karns
David Choate Productions