Virtual Dance Party Featuring a DJ Set by Questlove Closes Out 2019-20 UMass Fine Arts Center Season

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Questlove
Questlove

The UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center in partnership with the UMass Office of the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs presents a virtual dance party featuring a DJ set by four-time Grammy Award winning artist Questlove on Thursday, May 7 at 8 p.m. The event is the Fine Arts Center’s way to congratulate the UMass Amherst class of 2020 and celebrate the whole campus community for stepping up in the face of the coronavirus crisis. The event will stream for free on livestream.com and on the Fine Arts Center’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/UMassfineArtsCenter.

“We hope this moment will provide a much-needed moment of joy for our campus community as we close out the spring semester from afar,” said Jamilla Deria, director of the Fine Arts Center. “I can’t imagine a better artist that Questlove to celebrate the revolutionary spirit of UMass Amherst.”

In response to the coronavirus, Questlove has been livestreaming virtual DJ dance parties to raise funds for a Covid-19 Food Hub providing NYC students with school meals who no longer have access.

Drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author and member of The Roots, Questlove, is the unmistakable heartbeat of Philadelphia’s most influential hip-hop group. He is the Musical Director for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” where his beloved Roots crew serves as house band. Beyond that, this four-time GRAMMY Award winning musician's indisputable reputation has landed him musical directing positions with everyone from D'Angelo to Eminem to Jay-Z. Questlove has also released two books including the New York Times bestseller “Mo’ Meta Blues" and “Soul Train: The Music, Dance and Style of a Generation.” One of his latest endeavors includes scoring Chris Rock’s film, “Top Five,” and also working as the music supervisor. He also recently produced the Original Broadway Cast Recording of “Hamilton,” alongside Alex Lacamoire, Bill Sherman, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tarik “Black Thought” Trotter. He will also serve as the Executive Music Producer and Composer on the A&E Mini Series “Roots.”

Questlove made his way into the culinary world with his signature "Love's Drumstick.” Most recently he has hosted a series of Food Salons with world-renowned and innovative chefs at his Financial District apartment in the NY by Gehry building. Questlove has appeared as a Guest Judge on “Top Chef” Season 11, his interest in food and his own culinary endeavors have been featured on the cover of “New York” magazine, in “Food & Wine” magazine, “Bon Appetit” and seen on “The View,” “Watch What Happens Live” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” He is a celebrity ambassador for Food Bank for New York City, is on the City Harvest Food Council, a board member of Edible Schoolyard, and the first artist-in-residence at the Made in NY Media Center. Questlove is also a Founding Member of the CAPA Foundation in Philadelphia.

For more information, visit fineartscenter.com/Questlove or the Fine Arts Center’s Facebook page facebook.com/UMassFineArtsCenter.