The poet, essayist, and cultural critic—a guest Curator-at-Large at BAM—celebrates the launch of his new book on how Black performance is inextricably woven into the fabric of American culture.

Poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib—recently announced as a guest Curator-at-Large at BAM—celebrates the launch of his new book A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance, a profound reflection on how Black performance is inextricably woven into the fabric of American culture. Whether it’s Merry Clayton singing in “Gimme Shelter,” a schoolyard fistfight, or a dance marathon, Abdurraqib delves into the poignancy of performances big and small. His work has layers of resonance in Black and white cultures, the politics of American empire, and Abdurraqib’s own personal history of love, grief, and performance. He'll be joined in conversation by Wesley Morris, critic-at-large at the New York Times and a staff writer at the New York Times Magazine.

Use coupon code HANIF15 to take 15% off your purchase of A Little Devil in America and receive a signed bookplate (while supplies last) through Apr 7 via Greenlight Bookstore here!