Sweet Honey in the Rock Coming to FirstWorks

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

ARTS by GoLocalProv Features Team

When the women of Sweet Honey in the Rock take the stage at Veterans' Memorial Auditorium this Saturday as the finale performance of FirstWorks 2010, they bring one of contemporary music's most vibrant offerings of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, as well as rap, reggae, Hip Hop, and jazz improvisation.

Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973 at the DC Black Repertory Theater Company, this renowned a cappella group has been a central part of their local music scene as well as what they call "communities of conscience" around the world.

Sweet honey

The name of the group comes from Psalm 81:16, the promise of a people being fed by honey out of a rock. The metaphor, the group says, captures these African American women with repertoire steeped in the sacred music of Black churches, hymns of the civil rights movement, and social justice songs from throughout the world.

The captivating performances are perfect for listeners of all ages. Saturday's concert, with The Providence Singers, features "Indaba," a musical dialogue between youth and their elders. It's a concert not to be missed.

Sweet Honey in the Rock at Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, 1 Ave of the Arts, Providence, 7:30pm. TIckets $18-42. For tickets go to ArtTix, here.