Mack Lecture: Rhiannon Giddens
Tickets & Info
The Mack Lecture Series welcomes celebrated vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens for a deep dive into the history and evolution of American popular music.
Known for fearlessly tracing America’s musical history, Giddens amplifies voices that are often sidelined. Drawing on the rich tradition of Black Americana, she casts her singular blend of roots, country, and blues music into forms as wide-ranging as opera, film, and dance. Since her breakthrough as a cofounding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, the critically acclaimed artist has garnered two Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize, and a MacArthur “Genius Grant.”
At the Walker, Giddens offers insight into the stories and traditions that continue to shape the trajectory of American music today. A foil to widespread cultural amnesia, she reminds us what it means to remember.
A short, moderated dialogue and Q&A will follow the presentation. A pop-up bar will open in the Main Lobby starting one hour before the lecture.
Mack Lectures provide a platform for changemakers at the forefront of their fields to share new ideas and alternative ways of working.
Tickets will go on sale at a later date to be announced.
Rhiannon Giddens braids musical histories, living traditions, and contemporary sensibilities into a visionary approach to storytelling. Advocating for a deeper understanding of America’s musical roots, she uplifts the artistic contributions of communities that are often overwritten. A founding member of the landmark Black string band Carolina Chocolate Drops and the all-female banjo supergroup Our Native Daughters, Giddens is as much a curator as she is a creator. Her body of work encompasses recorded music, live opera, ballet, and film. She has received two Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and a MacArthur Fellowship and has garnered critical acclaim from outlets including Pitchfork, NPR, and American Songwriter. In 2024 her banjo work featured prominently on Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition to her career as a recording artist, Giddens also serves as the Artistic Director of the Yo-Yo Ma–founded Silkroad Ensemble and hosts the PBS show My Music with Rhiannon Giddens. The artist lives and works in North Carolina and Limerick, Ireland.
For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our <a href=”https://substrakt-live.walkerart.org/visit/accessibility/”>Access page</a>.
For questions about accessibility, or to request additional accommodations, call 612-375-7564, or email <a href=”mailto:access@walkerart.org”>access@walkerart.org</a>.
The Mack Lecture series is made possible by generous support from Aaron and Carol Mack.
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Dates & Tickets
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Sun Nov 01, 2026
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