The Todd Performing Arts Center
Sunday, November 8, 2026

Carpe Diem Arts presents the GRAMMY-winning folk musician, historian, co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and American Banjo Hall of Famer Dom Flemons “The American Songster®” in a special performance at the Todd Performing Arts Center at Chesapeake College on Sunday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. By car, just 20 min north of Easton, 64 minutes east of Silver Spring, and 63 minutes southeast of Baltimore, this location is easily reachable for an afternoon outing.

More than a concert: Music. History. Stories. Tradition.

Come experience the captivating history of Black Cowboys and the roots of American music through an innovative concert experience. 

ACT I 
Features a live performance of songs from Flemons’ GRAMMY-nominated album "Black Cowboys" interwoven with scenes from the iconic 1939 film*,"The Bronze Buckaroo." Released during the Golden Age of Hollywood Westerns, this film broke barriers with an all-Black cast. Flemons' performance breathes new life into classic cowboy songs, while the film's visuals offer a rare and powerful glimpse of Black cowboys on the silver screen. (45min)

**Drawn from the collection of The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, this new version of “The Bronze Buckaroo” was re-edited by Vania Kinard for this special presentation.

ACT II
Takes you on an entertaining journey through a century of American roots music. Flemons showcases the rich tapestry of Black country music traditions through a carefully curated selection of songs spanning a wide range of genres - folk, blues, country, and bluegrass - including original songs from his GRAMMY nominated album “Traveling Wildfire”. As he performs, Flemons weaves in extensive knowledge of musical history and personal anecdotes, providing a deeper context for the music and its cultural significance. Flemons’ performance reveals the evolution of American music through the lens of Black artists who shaped the genre, and increases appreciation for the enduring power of roots music to inspire, uplift, and connect us all. (45min)

Through powerful songs, fascinating stories, and an array of traditional instruments, Flemons invites audiences to listen, learn, and see American music from a new perspective. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• Are there service fees?  No, we are using Zeffy to keep our event 100% free of credit card and platform fees. At checkout, Zeffy will automatically suggest a voluntary contribution to support their platform. This is entirely optional—you can change the amount to $0 or edit it to whatever you prefer by selecting "Other" from the dropdown. This added amount will go to Zeffy.
   
• Is there a group discount? Yes, groups of 10 or more may use this discount code at checkout: 10MORE
   
• Are there assigned seats? No, this is a ticketed event but with General Seating. For a seating chart, click here.
   
• Is the Todd Performing Arts Center fully accessible? Yes. There are ADA-compliant seating locations, accessible restrooms, and handicap parking and a wheelchair-accessible main entrance. Contact the theatre for specific questions about accessibility or if ASL services are needed.