Welcome
OACC’s mission is to encourage our region’s vitality through artistic expression, cultural exchanges and community development inspired by the geography, ecology, cultural wisdom and talent that is abundantly and irreplaceably around us.
We create events and activities that are contemporary, local in context, and global in scope with the intention of providing participants experiences that help make sense of the world and give a focus for positive community engagement.
Evolution of African American Music
From Africa to HipHop
Bruce Henry
The Evolution of African American Music is can be presented as a lecture, performance, or classroom presentation. Students will learn about many aspects of African American music such as “call and response,” rhythmic syncopation, vocal and instrumental improvisation. These musical ideas will be explored through the evolution of African American Music. Starting with music from the West African tribes, all the way to Modern Day Hip Hop.
The OACC Board finds deep meaning in the origins and cultural context of jazz, the way it honors solo practitioners, and how it puts together democratically structured ensembles. Jazz provides OACC’s organizing principles: emphasize personal expression, encourage botttom-up action and not top-down systems, adapt quickly to feedback, and prize resiliency of result over efficiency of execution.
Art
Master your instrument, master the music, and then forget all that . . . and just play!
Charlie Parker
Culture
We strive to connect participants with art forms and disciplines that express universal truths and increase their capacity to create.
Community
We engage new and diverse audiences, encourage collaboration, share resources and seek to be good stewards of the land.
Historical Context
Oldenburg House has a long history of artistic, civic and scientific activities. Built by Henry and Mary Oldenburg in 1894, the family championed the birth of Jay Cooke State Park and held frequent gatherings of scholars, activists, and artists. Their daughter Margaret followed in her parents’ footsteps as a conservationist and anthropologist.
Leslie and Helen Swanson bought Oldenburg House in 1968 and through their careful restoration, the property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Current owners, Glenn and Emily Swanson are honored to be able to carry on the Oldenburg House tradition of artistic and cultural exchanges and civic engagement through the nonprofit organization Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community.
Support Us
Emily Swanson
Executive Director
emily@oacc.us
763-226-6828