Saying Goodbye to "The Redemption of a Delta Bluesman"

“The Redemption of a Delta Bluesman: Robert Johnson” consists of twenty-nine paintings that focus on the life and legacy of this legendary musician. Although only 27 years old when he died in 1938, his music and style has influenced generations of artists who came after. In American music history, Robert Johnson is known as the “King of the Delta Blues.”

After a three month stay at the DCC, this exhibition is ending, but we decided to throw a farewell party. In 1936, Robert Johnson recorded a song titled, “ I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” in which he mentioned West Helena. He played in numerous clubs and jukes here during his career, and it was an honor to host this look into the life of a legend.

This party will feature entertainment by Keith “The Prince of the Delta Blues” Johnson, from just across the river in Mississippi. In addition to touring and songwriting, Keith Johnson has won numerous awards including the 2016 local International Blues Challenge Competition. Long a partner with the DCC, we are excited to offer a free concert from this accomplished musician.

There will also be a lecture by Blues aficionado Scott Barretta, who is a writer, researcher, and radio host. After first visiting the state to attend blues festivals and check out juke joints, Barretta moved to Mississippi in 1999 to edit “Living Blues” magazine. In addition to these duties, he has a radio show called “Highway 61” and also worked as a writer and researcher for the Mississippi Blues Trail. In 2016, Scott Barretta won the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts for Mississippi Heritage.

This special event is free and open to the public. Food and refreshments will be served.

The Delta Cultural Center is an agency of Arkansas Heritage. The center’s museum and educational complex tells the story of a land and its people, capturing what makes the Arkansas Delta region unique. It is the mission of the Delta Cultural Center to preserve, interpret and present the cultural heritage of this legendary 27-county area. Arkansas Heritage is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. The Delta Cultural Center is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. You can reach the center at 870-338-4350. Delta Cultural Center is located at 141 Cherry St., Helena, Ark.

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism protects and promotes our state’s natural, cultural and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. It is made up of three divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage, and Arkansas Tourism.