Join us for Culture & Cocktails, Ogden Museum’s evening series celebrating art, ideas and conversation. This evening features a vinyl listening session inspired by the photography of Herman Leonard, hosted by Sesthasak Boonchai, artist and co-founder of Sound Sanctuary, and Collector Basil Smith.

The evening will feature a curated selection of recordings from Smith’s collection, bringing sound to sight. This will be an intentional, focused listening experience—an invitation to sit with and experience the music with your full, undivided attention within the gallery space.

The unique listening session is limited to 30 participants.

Advanced registration is strongly suggested to ensure a spot.

What to Expect:

• Start with an exclusive after-hours viewing of a featured exhibit
• Enjoy one complementary beverage included with registration (signature cocktail, mocktail, wine and beer available)
• Engage in a dynamic listening session and conversation with special guests and curators.

Advanced registration preferred.

$40 members / $45 not-yet-members

About Basil Smith

Basil Smith is a retired tourism consultant and music collector. Throughout his career, he advised the governments of Jamaica and The Bahamas, as well as public and private-sector stakeholders across the Caribbean, on cultural tourism development, including projects supported by international development partners. His musical interests span a wide range of world music, with a particular focus on jazz, reflected in a record collection built over many years.

Smith is the author of “The Bahamas in Black & White,” editor and co-author of “Bahamian Art 1492-2992” and editorial consultant for “The Jamaican Woman: A Celebration.”

About Sesthasak Boonchai

Sesthasak Boonchai is an artist and educator whose multidisciplinary practice explores how time and distance shape memory through drawing, painting, photography, time-based media and installation. He has taught at institutions including the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the University of New Orleans, the School of Visual Arts, Tulane University and the Maine College of Art.

Boonchai’s work has been exhibited at the Mississippi Museum of Art, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Contemporary Arts Center, Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the Historic New Orleans Collection.

Based in New Orleans, Boonchai is the co-founder of Sound Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization that amplifies the cultural legacy of Black music through listening experiences and educational programs.