On April 11-13, 2025 (Fri-Sun), join us for the #PopLife40 virtual symposium to celebrate 40 years of Prince’s Around The World In A Day (ATWIAD), The Family, and Sheila E.’s Romance 1600, all of which Prince produced, arranged, composed, and performed with the assistance of some amazing musical collaborators!

ATWIAD is the bold and unexpected left-turn of an album Prince released while still riding the wave of Purple Rain’s massive commercial success. This symposium will explore why he chose not to capitalize on that momentum with a “Purple Rain 2,” why he cut the tour short, and, as a result, why he never made it to Europe. We will also discuss film, race, gender, and sexuality in addition to music and fashion.

Over 3 days, there will be 40 speakers over 10 total sessions, featuring 13 presentations over 5 presentation panels, 3 lively roundtable discussions, an integrated segment of the weekly, What Did Prince Do This Week? webcast, and a very special keynote with members from The Family, St Paul Peterson, Susannah Melvoin, Jellybean Johnson, and Eric “Blow Your Horn” Leeds.

Pre-Register at https://poplife40.substack.com!

This event is FREE, but please consider donating to DIVAS (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Sciences) for Social Justice, a 501(c) nonprofit that empowers and inspires youth living in underserved communities in NYC and very soon MPLS to use tech and visual arts to promote social justice and become change makers in their communities. On Juneteenth 2024, DIVAS opened its first satellite office in South Minneapolis. The organization launched a social justice makerspace designed by the community. To learn more about DIVAS, watch this trailer and visit https://www.divasforsocialjustice.org.

MASSIVE THANKS to our wonderful sponsor, NYU!

#PopLife40 is the 9th polished solid Prince symposium and the 14th Prince event, curated by De Angela L. Duff!