Hello Everyone,
I hope that my column readers are happy and in good health. I send my condolences to the families, friends and fans of this column who lost a loved one in January. I know for a fact that there were many people who did. My prayers are with you. This week, I aim to cheer you up through the news in my column. This is Black History Month as well as Valentine’s Day month, too. So, get ready to mark your calendar starting from this weekend.
There will be a Black History Month celebration concert held on Sunday, February 5, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at the Smith Theater at Howard Community College on Campus Dr., located at 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, Maryland. Gospel, jazz, spirituals, art songs, and contemporary choral music will be showcased. The featured artists are Lorree Kay Montgomery-Slye, Denise Diggs, Duane Moody, Everett P. Williams, Jr., and Oakland Mills High School Choir’s members, just to name a few. For more information, call 410-715-1921.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum celebrates Black History Month with a concert provided by the world-renowned Morgan State University Choir. Traditional African American spirituals and gospel selections will be performed during Rejoicing in the Spirit. The performance that will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2023, at 3 p.m. occurs in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibition, Ruth Starr Rose (1887-1965); Revelations of African American Life in Maryland and the World. For more information about this one, call 443-263-1875.
Also at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, the celebration continues with a performance by guitarist Kevin Jackson on Thursday, February 18, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. Hear a mix of acoustic renditions of rock, contemporary Christian, jazz and soulful R&B from one of Baltimore’s own. In his 25-year career, Jackson has recorded with music artists such as Sheila E., Jennifer Holliday, Maysa, Oli Silk and Chico DeBarge. Museum galleries will be open after hours and guests can enjoy a cash bar. The concert is a part of the museum’s Third Thursday series.
As always, the Lexington Market will not be left out for this special month. On Sunday, February 5, 2023, starting at 1 p.m. Lexington Market will feature WombWork. Drumming will begin at noon. A spoken word performance and African dance and drumming will follow.
On February 12, 2023, The Avenue Market located on Pennsylvania Avenue will feature Sankofa African Marketplace and small museum exhibit, WombWork: Drummers, Kippa Madden and a WombWork spoken word performance from noon to 4 p.m.
I almost forgot to share some good news with you. I just finished my third and final book called “MARYLAND BLACK HISTORY STORIES, WHO, WHAT, WHEN, & WHERE 1950-1980.” It is a 600-page manuscript. I put together photos on every page in 20 chapters. This is a continuation of my last book. All that I need to do now is raise funds to pay for expenses to send it off to my publisher. You see, I told you that I would cheer you up. Enjoy your week. I have to go now. But remember, if you need me call me at 410-833-9474, or you can email me at [email protected] UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.