Rebel Music: Women of Color Who Changed the Beat
Rebel Music: Women of Color Who Changed the Beat
February 21 2026 – March 21, 2026
Joliet Area Historical Museum
204 N Ottawa St, Joliet, IL
Presented by:
Black & Brown Femme Films (BBFF) in collaboration with the Joliet Area Historical Museum
About the Exhibition
REBEL MUSIC! is a sonic and visual journey through the artistry, resilience, and genius of women and femmes of color who shifted the beat and rewrote the score. From protest chants to punk riffs, from soul anthems to experimental soundscapes, their work is both resistance and revelation.
The exhibition opens on February 21, 2026 and includes a special Opening Ceremony and ribbon cutting followed by a documentary screening. The exhibition will remain on view through March 21, 2026.
Through art, installation, and film, this museum exhibition honors the voices that refused silence, the rhythms that carried liberation forward, and the imaginations that dared to dream us into new worlds.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
As a companion to the exhibition, BBFF presents two special Rebel Music programs:
Saturday, February 28, 2026 Lyrics & Lattes
Lyrics & Lattes:
11:30 AM – Event begins; trivia games over lattes
12:00 PM – Multimedia presentation on women of color rock leads
1:00 PM – “What’s the Hidden Meaning?” lyric-analysis group game
1:30 PM – Guests depart with a playlist QR-code takeaway
Saturday, February 21, 2026 Opening Ceremony
Rebel Music! Women of Color Who Changed the Beat
Official Opening Day Program:
6:30 PM – Doors open
7:00 PM – Opening Ceremony & Ribbon Cutting
7:30 PM – Documentary presentation in the Auditorium
8:30 PM – Event ends
Join the Celebration
Rebel Music is more than an exhibition — it’s a movement. Spanning Black History Month into Women’s History Month, this series bridges local roots with global resonance, celebrating the women who shifted the rhythm and continue to inspire generations.
🎟️ Admission: Included with museum entry
🌐 Learn more: bbffilms.org