Black History Month Events at CU

Athens, W.Va. – In celebration of Black History Month, Concord University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Black Student Union, Student Activities Committee, and Artist Lecture Series will host a wide variety of programs and activities beginning at the start of spring semester and continuing through the month of February. All events are free and open to the public.

The following events have been scheduled:

Wednesday, January 17, 9 p.m., Student Center, Subway Stage, Louis Ramey (comedian)

(sponsored by the Student Activities Committee)

Ramey is Atlanta born and raised: while in college, he was bitten by the comedy bug. On a dare from his friends, he took to the stage to tell a few jokes at a local jazz club. The energy of being on stage and captivating an audience greatly intrigued him. Louis set out wanting to conquer stages worldwide, and has successfully done so, at colleges, comedy clubs, resorts, cruises, and casino showrooms from points such as Atlanta to the West Indies to Australia and back. Louis has performed on television both in the states and in Canada. His U.S. television appearances include ABC daytime's ''The View," Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," NBC’s "It's Showtime at the Apollo,” and CBS's "48 Hours." His Canadian appearances include "Grumps," "Comedy at Club 64," and "Breakfast TV.” Last year he was chosen to appear in Aspen at the fifth annual U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. There he won the jury award for Best New Artist. Louis has opened for many musical legends such as Whitney Houston, Smokey Robinson, Isaac Hayes, and The Temptations. In the summer of 1999, Louis was on tour with disco diva Donna Summers, performing at premier concert venues across the U.S. He has also been working at colleges and universities across the country and has been part of the New York Comedy Film Festival, produced by Saturday Night Live Producer, Lorne Michaels’ company, Burly Bear.

Louis Ramey is a shining star on the comedy horizon.

Sunday, January 21,1 p.m., Student Center, State Room, BSU Celebration featuring speaker, Harriette Wright

(sponsored by the Black Student Union and the Office of Multicultural Affairs)

The Black Student Union will host their 10th anniversary celebration with guest speaker Harriette Wright, associate professor of social work, emeriti, Concord University.

Tuesday, January 30, 8 p.m., Alexander Fine Arts Center, Main Theater, Leon Bates (pianist)

(sponsored by Artist Lecture Series)

Pianist Leon Bates welcomes the millennium with plans that include making new recordings, performing new works and relishing a continued joy in performing for audiences the world over. Since winning the Philadelphia Orchestra Senior Auditions as a student over 20 years ago, Leon Bates has emerged as one of America's leading pianists. He is invited to the most prestigious concert halls, and his performances have warranted critical and audience accolades in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Kennedy Center, Philadelphia's Academy of Music, the Hollywood Bowl and the Masonic Hall in San Francisco, presented by the Four Seasons Concert Association. He appeared in Naples, Italy, in two recitals and took part in the filming of "Music in the 20th Century" telecast on PBS. He also hosted a radio series funded by the Pew Foundation, "Notes from Philadelphia."

Monday, February 5, 8 p.m., Alexander Fine Arts Center, Main Theater, The Princely Players (play)

(sponsored by Artist Lecture Series)

The centuries old struggle for freedom by blacks in America, culminating in the civil rights movement and continuing even today, stands as a shining examsple of the power and dignity of the human spirit. The Princely Players have been featured on National Public Radio culminating in the civil rights movement and continuing even today, stands as a shining example of the power and dignity of the human spirit. The Princely Players have been featured on National Public Radio and the BBC and has been heard on the Smithsonian's Wade in the Water series and the Time-Life Civil War recordings.

The essence of this spirit is embodied in the music that was a part of the experience. Songs of hope and the quest for freedom are found in the struggle to survive the difficult and de-humanizing trauma of slavery. And these songs were the galvanizing force in the struggle against what must have seemed impossible odds. “Amazing Grace,” “Steal Away,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Go Down Moses,” and “Wade in the Water” are all testaments that still speak powerfully to us today.

In the tradition of the Jubilee Singers and the Fairfield Four, The Princely Players offer evocative and stunning programs on the enslavement and liberation of blacks. The eight-member ensemble has performed their unique program of spirituals, work songs, hymns, and songs of freedom at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Yale University, Ryman Auditorium, Little Rock's Festival of Religious Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., among many others.

With song and poetry from the earliest sources of blacks music in this country to the civil war and the civil rights movement, The Princely Players deliver performances with superb voices and exceptional stage presence.

Wednesday, February 14, 9 p.m., Alexander Fine Arts Center, Main Theater, Recycled Percussion (musical group)

(sponsored by Student Activities Committee)

Members of Recycled Percussion make their instruments from stuff other people throw out: barrels, basement garbage, building site leftovers, pots, pans, stepladders, fifty-gallon drums, and even the occasional recycled chainsaw. Then the guys proceed to create heart-pounding beats in an interactive show.

Wednesday, February 21, 9 p.m., Student Center, Subway Stage, K.J. James (blues performer)

(sponsored by Student Activities Committee)

K.J. James is one of the country’s most celebrated bluesman and one of the most beloved campus entertainers in the nation. His credits include five consecutive NACA Campus Entertainer-Of-The-Year nominations and national acclaim for his contribution to the internationally recognized "Salt City Blues" project. Career highlights include main stage appearances at Woodstock ’99, the New York Blues Festival and Jazz Fest 2000 in Tampa, Florida. With a repertoire of over five hundred songs, K.J. is one of the most engaging and dynamic performers on the blues scene today. The sophistication of his harmony, dexterity and genuine sense of humor is recognized and respected by such blues greats as John Jackson and John Hammond.

Monday, February 26, 7 p.m., Alexander Fine Arts Center, Main Theater, Martin Luther King Celebration featuring speaker, Herbert H. Henderson

(sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs)

Herbert H. Henderson, Esq., former president of the West Virginia N.A.A.C.P. will be the guest speaker.

Wednesday, February 28, 9 p.m., Student Center, Subway Stage, “Think You Know” presents Black Americans in Entertainment (game show)

(sponsored by Student Activities Committee)

Celebrating the contributions of black Americans in film, television, and music, this game show takes the audience on an educational and entertaining journey that highlights the accomplishments and influences of black Americans in pop culture. Participants can win cash prizes.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY NOTES: Persons with disabilities should contact Nancy Ellison, 1-304-384-6086 or 1-800-344-6679, extension 6086 if special assistance or help is required for access to an event scheduled by the University on campus.