In celebration and observance of Indigenous People's Day, The Opening Doors Project and Belmont Against Racism (BAR) are proud to present a musical conversation with Thea Hopkins and Linda Coombs of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe.
Singer-songwriter Thea Hopkins describes her music as "Red Roots Americana," The Washington Post calls her a “standout writer.” Her song “The Ghost Of Emmett Till” was awarded Grand Prize by the Great American Song Contest in 2021, and Peter, Paul & Mary recorded her song "Jesus Is On The Wire" in 2004 and again in 2010 with the Prague Symphony Orchestra. She has performed at globalFEST at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Woody Guthrie Festival.
Linda Coombs, Thea's cousin, is an author and historian who lives in the Wampanoag community of Mashpee on Cape Cod. She is the author of “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story," published by Penguin Random House (2023), and worked for 30 years in the Wampanoag Indigenous Program of Plimoth Plantation, serving for 15 years as the program's Associate Director.
"In The Roundhouse" is a celebration of traditional and contemporary Indigenous music, examining the scope and reach of Indigenous musicians in the 21st century—including contemporary songs by Thea herself—along with a sprinkling of traditional, timeless tribal artistry. After the musical portion of the evening's presentation, Thea, Linda, and host Alastair Moock will sit down for a conversation and Q&A with the audience.
This FREE community program is made possible by Belmont Against Racism, Belmont Public Schools - Department of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Well-Being, Somebody Else’s Child Foundation, Mass Cultural Council, and Filmmakers Collaborative.
DOORS OPEN AT 6:30pm
Admission to this event is FREE, but we kindly welcome donations which will be split between Belmont Against Racism and The Opening Doors Project. Your support enables us to continue offering programs for free, thank you!
