This Is Delaware: An Arts Celebration for DE250 at Freeman Performing Arts

In honor of Delaware’s 250th milestone, this dynamic, multi-disciplinary event celebrates the profound role the arts have played in shaping the First State — and imagines the creative future still to come.

Blending conversation and performance, the evening will feature engaging speakers alongside live performances by an extraordinary lineup of Delaware artists representing music, poetry, dance, and spoken word. Together, they will explore how the arts reflect who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re headed over the next 250 years.

Acclaimed Delaware spoken word artist G Dash Jones will serve as our Master of Ceremonies. Delaware Humanities Executive Director, Michele Anistine, will serve as our panel moderator.

A centerpiece of the celebration will feature selections from The United Sounds of America by Delaware composer Mark Hagerty, performed by the SODELO Orchestra alongside The Twin Poets, soprano Makeda Hampton, and Jonathon Whitney — all distinguished Delaware artists. This collaborative work reflects the rich musical traditions that define both our state and our nation.

The orchestra will also perform “Coastal Delaware Suite,” an original work by SODELO musician <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline" "="" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Brian Cox — a vibrant four-movement musical journey through the seaside charm of Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach, with each movement capturing the history, spirit and unique character of these beloved coastal towns.

The evening will also include a special cultural presentation by drummers of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. Bonnie Hall, a proud member of the tribe, will share remarks honoring the enduring cultural legacy and artistic traditions of Delaware’s Native communities.

The expressive power of movement will be highlighted through a performance by Ashley SK Davis’ Pieces of a Dream, Inc., further showcasing the depth and diversity of artistic excellence rooted in Delaware.

Free and open to the public, this celebratory gathering invites the community to reflect on 250 years of artistic influence — and to envision the next chapter of creativity in Delaware. Through music, poetry, dance, and dialogue, DE250 reminds us that the arts are not simply a reflection of history — they are the force that helps write it.