Parable Path A2Ypsi
“All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you. The only lasting truth is change.”
— Octavia E. Butler, Parable of the Sower
Inspired by Octavia E. Butler’s novel, Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon have created a musical adaptation of Parable of the Sower. UMS will present this powerful performance March 25-27, 2022 at the Power Center in Ann Arbor.
The performance is the culmination of a series of related events that include a Community Read, an Octavia Butler Week, offered in partnership with the U-M Institute for the Humanities, and additional related events that together comprise “Parable Path A2Ypsi.” Additionally, UMS is delighted to spotlight several community organizations and resources throughout the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti communities whose work reflects themes from the novel. These organizations are committed to action and advocacy for change inducing conversations of sustainability, social justice, spiritual freedom, and inclusivity.
Explore Parable Path A2Ypsi activities and events below.
Sign up for our Parable Path A2Ypsi newsletter and receive updates from January – March 2022.
Community Read
UMS is partnering with local literary organizations, Octavia E. Butler enthusiast groups, and community and university scholars interested in Afrofuturism and self-sustainable collectivism as part of a Community Read of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower. The read takes place January through March 2022.
Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones from the imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: the birth of a new faith . . . and a startling vision of human destiny. (octaviabutler.com)
How to Participate
- Buy, borrow, or download Parable of the Sower from our Community Read partners
- Download and follow our discussion guide
- Attend Community Read events, including our three-part discussion series “Let’s Talk About Earthseed” and more
- Sign up for our Parable Path A2Ypsi newsletter for updates as new events are added
Partners
Booksweet
1729 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor
Black Stone Bookstore & Cultural Center
214 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti
Literati Bookstore
124 E Washington St, Ann Arbor
Events
Events coming soon.
Octavia E. Butler Week & Associated Events
UMS and the University of Michigan Institute of Humanities are partnering to present a series of events celebrating author Octavia E. Butler from Monday, March 21 – Friday, March 25, culminating in UMS’s performances of Parable of the Sower in the Power Center the same weekend.
Events coming soon.
Additional details and events will be added in early 2022. Sign up for updates
Community Resources
These organizations throughout the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti communities are committed to action and advocacy for change, including conversations of sustainability, social justice, spiritual freedom, and inclusivity.