he ladies are back in the hall.
will bring their world renowned aca pella musical prowess to New York's premiere concert venue, Carnegie Hall on Nov. 10.
Founded in 1973 by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon at the D.C.
Black Repertory Theater Company, The Sweet Honey In The Rock experience is like no other. Their soul-stirring, thought-provoking music, dynamic onstage interaction between group members and exuberant exchanges with audiences, the all-female collective is a force of nature that has thrilled masses globally.
\The sextet is comprised of Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, and Shirley Childress Saxton.
These African American women join their powerful voices, along with hand percussion instruments, to create a blend of lyrics, movement and narrative that point the finger at injustice, encourage activism, and sing the praises of love. The music speaks out against oppression and exploitation of every kind. The sextet, whose words are simultaneously interpreted in uniquely expressive American Sign Language, demands a just and humane world for all.
"Performing at Carnegie Hall has been just amazing and we're grateful that Carnegie has added us to their regular roster of artists," group member Maillard shared with The BV Newswire yesterday. "Since independent producer Virginia Giordano first brought the group to this prestigious hall over 15 years ago, it's been a part of our anniversary celebrations every fall."
"Our diverse audiences are from different cultures, backgrounds, economic strata, age groups and religions," she added.
"They are also progressive, well informed, politically astute and truly know how to show up to have a good time with Sweet Honey at Carnegie Hall. And they look good too!"
At tonight's performance, Sweet Honey In The Rock will welcome The Washington Performing Arts Society's (WPAS) premiere gospel choir, The Men And Women of The Gospel, conducted by Stanley J.
Thurston. The singers will join the ladies in a grand finale performance of "We Believe In You" from a suite of songs commissioned by WPAS and written by Sweet Honey In The Rock entitled "INDABA!"
So what's in a name -- this peculiar name of Sweet Honey In The Rock?
"From Psalm 81:16 comes the promise to a people of being fed by honey from the rock. Honey - an ancient substance, sweet and nurturing. Rock - an elemental strength, enduring the winds of time.
The metaphor of sweet honey in the rock captures completely these African American women whose repertoire is steeped in the sacred music of the Black church as well as jazz, blues, and Hip Hop, the clarion calls of the civil rights movement, and songs of the struggle for justice everywhere."
(I just learned this and have seen this group work their magic a few times over the years: See, I don't know every thing.
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