American Museum of Natural History
Public Programs/Education presents
In Association with Community Works and
New Heritage Theatre Group
The Message Behind the Music
Sunday, February 21
Free with Museum admissionThe Message Behind the Music celebrates African-American History Month with an exploration of the transformative power of song and the shifting cultural influences that drive musical styles.
| Kaufmann Theater, first floor | ||
| "Raise It Up!" Performance: 1:00-2:00 pm |
Since its inception in 1997, IMPACT Repertory Theatre has used the power of music and the creative arts to nurture and empower more than a thousand young people to assume leadership socially, academically, and culturally, a mission echoed in their name. In 2008, IMPACT was nominated for an Academy Award for the song Raise It Up, which was featured in the film August Rush. |  IMPACT Repertory Theatre
© Hubert Williams  Gamble & Huff photo: Courtesy of the Schomburg Center Collection  James Stovall © Hubert Williams |
| "Wake Up Everybody" Performance: 2:15-3:15 pm |
Heralded as musical prophets with roots in the survival of the African-American family and community, award-winning musicians Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff capture the fervor of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1971, this phenomenal duo founded Philadelphia International Records, writing and producing more than 170 gold and platinum records. Artistic Director and Choreographer Obediah Wright will present a corps of dancers and singers in a retrospective tribute to Gamble & Huff featuring classics from the Sound of Philadelphia songbook. | |
| "Lift Every Voice…" Performance: 3:30-5:00 pm |
Artistic Director and Broadway actor James Stovall will present excerpts from his original work, "Rivers Run Deep: The Paul Robeson Story." Robeson, son of an escaped slave, became one of the most revered Americans in the world as an athlete, scholar, actor-singer, and activist who championed world peace, justice, and civil rights. With songs such as "Steal Away" and "We Shall Overcome," which became an international anthem for human rights movements, spirituals and hymns created by African-Americans reflect a history of struggle for freedom and human rights. June E. Townes & Gospera is a dynamic ensemble of exquisite singers. They will perform classic Negro spirituals and traditional inspirational music as they have done to great acclaim for local and national audiences. | |
For details, call 212-769-5315 or visit amnh.org/blackhistory The Message Behind the Music is co-produced by Community Works, an arts and education nonprofit organization founded 20 years ago, and New Heritage Theatre Group, the oldest nonprofit black theatre company in New York, currently under the artistic direction of James Stovall. |
The Global Weekends series is free with suggested Museum admission. Neither tickets nor reservations are required. Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
It is recommended that you arrive with plenty of time to enter the Museum and locate the program space. For further information, call the Museum's Department of Education on weekdays at 212-769-5315 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The parking garage is open during Museum hours; enter from West 81st Street. For public transportation, call 212-769-5100.
All programs are subject to change.
Support for Global Weekends is made possible, in part, by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the Tolan Family,
and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt.