One of my favorite artistic scenarios — whether in film, books, music or any medium of your choice — is when someone who is considered a high-brow master of their craft swims in the looked-down-upon waters of genre fare.
Think Martin Scorsese directing the pulpy horror-thriller Shutter Island — it showcases the creator’s true love for the medium while knocking elitist snobs down a peg. One of the best recent examples has been Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Trilogy. The author behind masterpieces like The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys will be at Fisk University’s Jubilee Hall on July 28 to discuss his recently released trilogy capper Cool Machine. The series — including the first two installments, Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto — centers on Ray Carney, a family man who also dabbles in the criminal underworld during the Harlem of the 1960s through the 1980s. Tickets to the event (which is being hosted by Parnassus Books) include a presigned copy of Cool Machine.
6:30 p.m. at Fisk University’s Jubilee Hall
1000 17th Ave. N.
