MusicUNTOLD and Long Beach Public Library presented pianist Lara Downes in recital commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Billie Holiday at the Long Beach Main Library-Main Library Auditorium on March 7, 2015. . Please see https://africlassical.blogspot.com/2015/02/long-beach-public-library-musicuntold.html. See pictures 1 Lara with Library staff and MusicUNTOLD volunteers, pic 2 Lara signing CD’s June…
Wikipedia: Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led thousands of federal troops to Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended, and slaves had been freed. On June 17, 2004 I shared the UNTOLD Story…
New York, NY – New Music USA announces six composers who have been co-commissioned to write new orchestral works through its Amplifying Voices Program, supported by the Sphinx Venture Fund. Composers Valerie Coleman, Juan Pablo Contreras, Tania León, Brian Raphael Nabors, Tyshawn Sorey, and Shelley Washington will each write new works to be premiered during the 2021-22 season and performed by a total of at least…
In April 1960, 126 young civil-rights activists joined together in Raleigh, N.C., for the founding of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, better known as SNCC and sang “We Shall Overcome”. The song probably dates back to antebellum days, when slaves worked in fields making America great. Songs of slaves had roots in African songs…
June 5, 2020-Zoom conversation/discussion on racial disparity and inequity in Opera moderated by J’Nai Bridges -available on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=396366341279710&ref=watch_permalink
June 5, 2020 zoom conference/discussion with 4 classical conductors of African descent moderated by Maestro Roderick Cox and available on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=922849801475019
June 4, 2020, I witnessed via zoom conferencing, ‘Future of Sports and Mass Gatherings post-COVID19′ moderated by Ido Aharoni: Global Ambassador, Maccabi World Union, from Jerusalem. The expert panel discussed possible scenarios for the resumption of global sporting activities. Donna Orender: Former president of WNBA, CEO of Orender Unlimited, Senior Vice President of PGA, Maccabi USA Officer, Maccabi alumna. Larry Scott: Commissioner, PAC 12 Collegiate Conference, Maccabi…
OBJECTIVE: Heighten awareness of historically significant, but little known, symphonic, chamber, and vocal music -including operas. No. 4 The origin of classical music is Europe but deceased and living American composers have made significant contributions within the art form. Among the top American contributors is Pianist, Educator, and Composer George Theophilus Walker. George Walker…
I was unaware until 5-27-2020 that May is Jewish Heritage Month https://www.jewishheritagemonth.gov/. As a African American member of Long Beach Chapter of NAACP, I salute Joel Elias Spingarn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Elias_Spingarn and the NAACP Spingarn Medal https://www.naacp.org/awards/spingarn-medal/ .
Kamashi Washington composed the music for NETFLIX original documentary about the former 1st Lady titled BECOMING. Listen to “TAKE IN THE STORY” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOVsbCa7VHw