26 Ways of Looking a Black Man: Free concert with Sidney Outlaw at UU Westport

Please join us in welcoming Grammy-nominated baritone Sidney Outlaw for a special evening of music at UU Westport. Accompanied by pianist Piotr Kozłowski, Sidney will present the Connecticut premiere of 26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man, with music by B.E. Boykin and poetry by Raymond Patterson.

Admission is FREE and there is free parking and handicap accessibility. Doors open at 6:40pm, the event starts at 7pm, with a light reception to follow the music event.

Sidney is an extraordinary artist whose career has taken him to some of the country’s most celebrated stages—but just as remarkable is the warmth, generosity, and humanity he brings into every room. This is an opportunity not simply to hear a world-class performer, but to gather around a deeply meaningful work that centers Black artistry, identity, and lived experience.

Come experience an evening of exceptional artistry, powerful storytelling, and community. Bring a friend—we would love to fill the room for Sidney and this important work!

About The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport 

UU Westport  is a diverse and welcoming religious community, free of creed and dogma, and open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs. We welcome all who are in search of a non-judgmental, loving, safe community to come together to explore what it means to be human and alive in today's world, and how we can best serve one another and those around us, near and far. 

About the Artists

Baritone Sidney Outlaw has been described by The Washington Post as a "generous & expressive singer", The New York Times as a "terrific singer" with a "deep rich timber," and an internationally acclaimed vocalist for his "weighty and forthright" singing (San Francisco Chronicle). Since winning the Concurso International de Canto Montserrat Caballe in 2010, he has performed widely in the US and abroad. In the 2024/2025 season, Sidney performed recitals with pianist Warren Jones at the Brooklyn Art Song Society and The Manhattan School of Music. He debuted with the California Symphony, singing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, and with the Bozeman Symphony, singing Mozart's Requiem. He also returned to the Jacksonville Symphony for Handel's Messiah. On the operatic stage, he reprises the role of Mozart in Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni with Pensacola Opera and Opera Philadelphia. Last year, Sidney released his album, Black Pierrot, featuring music by William Grant Still and Dr. B.E. Boykin, including the world premiere of 26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man, with text by poet Raymond Patterson (Commissioned by Merola Opera), which was recently nominated for a Grammy award. Sidney’s recent highlights include performances with Boston Baroque, Chattanooga Symphony, Toledo Opera, National Symphony and appearances at NYC’s Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. He currently holds voice faculty positions at the Manhattan School of Music, The Conservatory at Brooklyn College (CUNY) and Teachers College, Columbia University, where he is pursuing his PhD in Music Education. 

Piotr Kozlowski is a versatile Polish pianist and educator with a strong focus on chamber and contemporary music. He is deeply committed to creative programming and to presenting classical and contemporary repertoire. A laureate of chamber music and solo piano competitions, Piotr has performed widely across Europe and North America. He studied at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and completed his doctoral degree in piano performance at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, where he also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant under the mentorship of Kevin Kenner. As an Erasmus scholarship recipient, he studied chamber music with Avedis Kouyoumdjian at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He held fellowships at the Bowdoin International Music Festival and the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance. Now based in New York City, Piotr maintains an active international freelance career. He has premiered works by Jonathan Howard Katz, Donald Scott Stinson, and other living composers. He serves as Staff Pianist at Manhattan School of Music, Piano Mentor at tonebase and has an affinity for Baroque, Classical and 20th-century repertoire.

For more information about this free event on October 2nd, and other events at UU Westport, visit uuwestport.org or contact UU Westport at 203-227-7250. Follow UU Westport on Facebook and Instagram.