Ugandan musician Kinobe in World without War

Baltimore—"Imagine a World Without War," a concert featuring African and Western music, and reflections by longtime peace activist Elizabeth McAlister, will be presented at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1316 Park Avenue, in the Bolton Hill section of Baltimore.

   The program brings together Ugandan music of peace and unity performed by Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa, an ensemble that plays a vibrant synthesis of African root and world music, and "Portrait of Peace" by BSO percussionist Brian Prechtl, performed by a trio of horn, piano and percussion.

   Singer and songwriter Kinobe and the group Soul Beat Africa play hauntingly melodic, rhythmic compositions on traditional Ugandan instruments.  Kinobe has performed in festivals with such important African roots musicians as Youssou N'dour, Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo and Miriam Makeba. Kinobe will be joined by Maryland's Wendy Lanxner in a rendition of her award-winning song "Our Voices Cry," written for Iraqi mothers.

   Brian Prechtl's 20-minute five-movement musical work will be accompanied by large screen projection of images and text.  After exploring the nature of peace, it moves into a funeral dirge with Mark Twain's "War Prayer" read to the sound of a gong.  The next movement includes a quotation by Harriet Tubman about walking through a battlefield reaping the dead instead of grain, set against Civil War photographs by Matthew Brady. The fourth movement asks how people can make a difference, and the fifth evokes peace with a quote from Anne Frank and video images accompanying the music.

   Liz McAlister will share reflections and a vision of a world without war.  Together with her husband, the late Philip Berrigan, McAlister helped establish Jonah House, a community of men and women in Southwest Baltimore who serve the poor, conduct faith and resistance retreats, and engage in anti-war "plowshares actions."  Her opposition to the Vietnam War caused her to be targeted by J. Edgar Hoover and indicted for conspiracy as one of the Harrisburg Seven.

   This event is part of The Tiffany Series, named for Brown Memorial's unparalleled collection of original Tiffany stained glass windows. A reception will follow the concert.  Proceeds will benefit the Bolton Hill church's mission work in Baltimore and beyond.

   Tickets are $15 ($5 for students with ID) at the door.  Parking will be available.

   Call 410-523-1542 for 

information.

Local Community Leaders Honored

Randallstown – On Saturday, February 28, 2009, the Baltimore CountyAlumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will sponsor a luncheon to celebrate the 96th anniversary of the sorority’s founding. The event, which is open to the public, will take place at Martin’s West, 3817 Dogwood Road, at 11:00 a.m. Tickets for the luncheon are $60 per person.

   The excitement of the event is heightened by the presence of renowned educator, Cynthia M.A. Butler- McIntyre, 24th national president of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. and keynote speaker for the

afternoon. “We couldn’t have asked for a better ambassador to share this day with us,” says Barbara Crawley, chapter president. “Ms. Butler-McIntyre is a dynamic speaker. She is leading our organization at a time when all Americans are facing both tremendous challenges and opportunities. Her

encouraging message of making a difference fits perfectly with our theme, In a Land Called Perfect: Poised for Change,” she continues. “We are excited to introduce her to the Baltimore community.”

Additionally, the chapter will honor prominent, local leaders who have made significant contributions to the community. Dr. Reginald J. Davis, division head of neurosurgery at GBMC and a neurosurgeon at Greater Baltimore Neurosurgical Associates is being recognized for his achievements in medicine.

Dr. Davis was featured in the November 2008 issue of Baltimore magazine, saluting top doctors in the

Baltimore area. State Senator Verna Jones and members of her family are being recognized for their work with the Pythias & Virginia Jones African American Community Forum on Memory Loss, which was established in honor of her parents to increase awareness and help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III, president of the University of Maryland Baltimore County is

being recognized for his on-going commitment to education.

Sherrie Johnson, WMAR-TV ABC 2 News reporter and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will serve as the mistress of ceremonies.

   Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an organization of college educated African-American women dedicated to public service and sisterhood. The Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter was chartered in 1984 and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in December 2009.

   Call 410-944-3680 or 443-956-3162 to purchase tickets.

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