Illustration by Coral Díaz & Noelle Artigue
The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music
In the setting of the historic Carver Center in San Antonio, Texas, an aunt and her niece explore the history of African American music!
Aunt Cynthia, a music history buff, helps her niece Lauren learn about the music genres that were born and formed by African American history and culture. They cover a wide breadth, all the way from the times of slavery, to Negro Spirituals, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, the Harlem Renaissance, Gospel, the Civil Rights movement, Soul and R&B, and Hip Hop. Cynthia works to inspire Lauren’s curiosity about these periods of history by continuously making it relevant to the music, and uses the layers of a quilt to explain how music of the past connects to the contemporary music that Lauren is most familiar with. By the end of the film, Lauren feels more empowered by the generational connections of music and culture she has learned.
This educational documentary for children and adults is produced by Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW), a performing arts nonprofit in San Antonio, TX.
Upcoming Events & Screenings
Quilt Cast
Festival Selections & Awards
News & Reviews
Merchandise
Sponsors & Partners
Upcoming Events & Screenings
| Event & Link | Date | Location |
| Streaming – Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (Free with 30-Day Trial) | 9 – 22 Oct 2023 | Online |
| Screening – Orlando Film Festival | 28 Oct 2023, 5 PM EDT | CMX Plaza Cinema Cafe, Theatre 12 – 155 S. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, US |
| Streaming – Chicago International Children’s Film Festival | 3 – 19 Nov 2023 | Online |
| Free Screening – Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival | 2 Nov 2023, 4:01 PM CT | Will Rogers Theatre – 1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, OK 74017, US |
| Screening – St. Louis International Film Festival | Date TBD (9 – 19 Nov 2023) | St. Louis, MO |
Past Events & Screenings
| Event (with Link) | Date | Location |
| San Antonio Red Carpet Premiere (Free with Registration) | Sun 23 July 2023, 2 – 4 PM | Carver Community Cultural Center, San Antonio, TX |
| Let’s Quilt: Storytelling Through Traditions & Culture (Free) | Sat 29 July 2023, 2 – 3 PM | Forest Hills Library, San Antonio, TX |
| Let’s Quilt: Storytelling Through Traditions & Culture (Free) | Wed 2 Aug 2023, 4 – 5 PM | Carver Library, San Antonio, TX |
| Let’s Quilt: Storytelling Through Traditions & Culture (Free) | Thurs 3 Aug 2023, 4 – 5 PM | Tobin Library at Oakwell, San Antonio, TX |
| Screening – San Antonio Film Festival (Varied Pricing) | Frid 4 Aug 2023, 7 – 8:30 PM | Carlos Alvarez Theater, San Antonio, TX |
| Screening – Interactive Kids Screening with SA Public Library (Free with Registration) | Sat 5 Aug 2023, 1:30 – 3:30 PM | Central Library, San Antonio, TX |
| Screening – The Orlando Urban Film Festival (Varied Pricing) | Thurs 31 Aug 2023, 2 – 4 PM | CMX Cinemas Plaza Café 12, Orlando, FL |
| Screening – Urban Film Festival | Exact Date TBD (2 – 3 Sep 2023) | Miami, FL |
| Screening – Viva Texas Film Festival ($5/ticket) | Sat 16 Sep 2023, 4:40 – 6 PM | Downtown Victoria, TX |
| Screening – Lake Travis Film Festival (Varied Pricing) | Sat 16 Sep 2023, 6 – 8 PM | Star Hills Ranch, Bee Cave, TX |
| Screening – Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival ($15) | Sun 17 Sep 2023, 1:30 PM | Atlas Shaker Square – Theater 4 |
| Screening – Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival ($5 Box Office Purchase Only) | Mon 18 Sep 2023, 4:30 PM | Atlas Shaker Square – Theater 3 |
| Screening – San Antonio Black International Film Festival ($10/single pass) | Sat 7 Oct 2023, 5:15 PM | St. Phillips College, Watson Theater (Bldg. #1), San Antonio, TX |
Cast
Cynthia Freeman Gibbs
Actress & Screenwriter
Lauren Anya Jwahir Hunter
Actress
Tanesha Payne
Dance
Veronica Williams
Mezzo-soprano
Michael Sumuel
Bass-baritone
Marc "Mockingbird" Smith
Voice & Guitar
Ron Wilkins
Trombocalist (Trombone & Vocals)
Aaron Prado, DMA
Piano, Composer
Arlington Jones
Piano
Brandon Rivas
Bass
Johnathan Alexander
Percussion
Beverly Houston & Breezin'
Vocals (with band)
Andrea Vocab Sanderson
Vocals, Poetry
Cynthia Freeman Gibbs
Actress & Screenwriter
Lauren Anya Jwahir Hunter
Actress
Tanesha Payne
Dance
Veronica Williams
Mezzo-soprano
Michael Sumuel
Bass-baritone
Marc "Mockingbird" Smith
Voice & Guitar
Ron Wilkins
Trombocalist (Trombone & Vocals)
Aaron Prado, DMA
Piano, Composer
Arlington Jones
Piano
Brandon Rivas
Bass
Johnathan Alexander
Percussion
Beverly Houston & Breezin'
Vocals (with band)
Andrea Vocab Sanderson
Vocals, Poetry
Festival Selections & Awards
News & Reviews
REVIEW: “What a terrific documentary! I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.”
KIDS FIRST! Film Festival
Making a Difference: “The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music”
News4SA (NBC Affiliate – San Antonio, TX)
Quilt Merchandise
Get yourself some “Quilt” merch featuring the graphics designed specifically for the film by artists Coral Díaz and Noelle Artigue! All purchases support Musical Bridges Around the World’s nonprofit programs and operations.
Film Sponsors & Partners
Quilt Data Submission Form
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