This Sun Ra Day Festival, the cosmic energy of jazz, art, and activism converges in Birmingham, Alabama—not just to celebrate the 111th birthday of the legendary Sun Ra, but to support a vital cause: the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS in the South.
In partnership with AIDS Alabama and the Red Hot Organization, this year’s celebration includes a rare opportunity for music fans and collectors alike—a SOLD OUT, LIMITED EDITION vinyl of Outer Spaceways Incorporated: Kronos Quartet & Friends Meet Sun Ra , available via silent auction.
Bid on a Piece of Music History
Outer Spaceways Incorporated: Kronos Quartet & Friends Meet Sun Ra is a visionary collaboration between two of the most groundbreaking forces in modern music. Released as part of Kronos Quartet’s 50th anniversary and produced in partnership with the Red Hot Organization, the album unites the genre-defying San Francisco-based string quartet with the cosmic legacy of jazz pioneer Sun Ra.
This genre-blurring tribute features an all-star lineup of experimental and boundary-pushing artists, including electronic innovator Jlin, radical hip hop duo 700 Bliss (Moor Mother & DJ Haram), avant-garde legend Laurie Anderson, abstract hip hop group Armand Hammer, and minimalist master Terry Riley. Together, they reinterpret Sun Ra’s expansive sound universe—fusing classical, electronic, hip hop, and jazz into a bold new constellation of sound.
This one-of-a-kind record is hand-signed by these members of the legendary lineup:
- Marshall Allen (Sun Ra Arkestra)
- David Harrington (Kronos Quartet)
- Laurie Anderson
- Laraaji
- Lorna Simpson (visual artist who designed the albums art)
Signed Album Auction for Outer Spaceways Incorporated: Kronos Quartet & Friends Meet Sun Ra
📅 Silent Auction Opens: May 21 | Ends: May 24, 2025
📩 Bids accepted via COMMENTS on the Red Hot Organization’s Instagram (@RedHotOrg)
🔗 Auction details available in their Instagram Highlights
Red Hot Organization: Art with a Mission
Since 1989, the Red Hot Organization has used music and pop culture to fight HIV/AIDS globally. Their genre-spanning compilation albums—like Red Hot + Blue, Red Hot + Riot, and now Red Hot + Ra—raise funds and awareness while celebrating cultural icons.
Red Hot + Ra honors Sun Ra’s cosmic vision, fusing Afrofuturism, experimental jazz, and collective care. This year, proceeds from the project and the auction support direct services in Alabama through their collaboration with AIDS Alabama.
AIDS Alabama: Housing, Hope, and Healing
Founded in 1986, AIDS Alabama is a frontline organization providing:
- Safe, affordable housing for people living with HIV
- Wraparound support services including mental health and medical access
- Education and prevention programs across the state
This auction channels Sun Ra’s revolutionary spirit—a Birmingham native who fused music, Black liberation, and radical imagination—to drive vital public health support where it’s most needed.
Why It Matters
Sun Ra taught us that “space is the place”—but here on Earth, too many people still struggle for dignity, safety, and care. Events like the Sun Ra Day Festival create powerful intersections between art, music, and social justice, reminding us that the future we imagine must be inclusive and compassionate.
Join the Movement
📍 Sun Ra Day Festival: May 21–24, 2025
🪐 Location: Birmingham, AL – Afrofuturistic jazz, art, and activism in celebration of Sun Ra’s 111th birthday
🎟️ Donate now: AIDSAlabama
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