THE MANN HONORS BLACK ARTISTS, HEALTH SERVICES ADVOCATE, AND FUTURE OF UNITY WITH ANNUAL VOICES OF HOPE CELEBRATION
Four virtual music performances happening in February on Mann Music Room: Learn
During Black History Month 2021 the world famous Mann Theatre performing arts center is honoring Black Artists, as well as a health services advocate, and the future of Unity with their annual VOICES OF HOPE CELEBRATION.
The events will be held each Friday in Philadelphia - virtually, of course - with love, hope, social justice and focus on public health advocacy in a realm of pandemic as the central themes for its annual Voices of Hope celebration.
This year, their Voices of Hope
celebration takes place on the new
Mann Music Room: Learn online education platform. Each Friday this February, a Black artist from Philadelphia will perform a musical piece via video on the online platform. Additionally, young students can also complete
an activity guide exploring the importance of Black artistry and its impacts worldwide.
Unfortunately, The first performance was on Feb. 5 by Benu Ausar Philly, a traditional West African percussion band led by local educator Saantis Davis. percussionist, and performer. Davis specializes in traditional West African music as well as other global percussion styles and shares his wealth of knowledge with students in Philadelphia. In addition to leading Benu Ausar Philly, Davis teaches and performs with other groups including Philly Reggae Band, Arrastao do Dende, Bad Kitty, Funk Logic, and more.
FEBRUARY 12
Dr. J. Donald Dumpson and the Arch Street Presbyterian Church Choir, which he directs alongside Rev. Carla Jones Brown, pastor. In addition to serving as Minister of the Arts at Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Dr. Dumpson is president of Diverse Arts Solutions and founding artistic director of the Philadelphia Heritage Chorale. Dr. Dumpson is passionate about using the choir and human voice to denounce artistic stereotypes toward the African diaspora.
FEBRUARY 19
Eric Wortham II will celebrate jazz on the Mann’s virtual stage. Wortham, a classically trained pianist, composer, songwriter, and producer, draws audiences in with his stunning hand speed on the piano as well as his rhythm and soul. Wortham has toured with Grammy award-winning artists such as Jill Scott and Adele and has collaborated with artists including Vivian Green, Aloe Blacc, Music SoulChild, and more. He has appeared on shows such as the Grammy Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, The View, Good Morning America, Live! with Kelly and Michael, The Ellen Show, and Saturday Night Live, among others.
FEBRUARY 26
Chill Moody, locally renowned hip hop artist from West Philadelphia, having won Best Rapper in Philadelphia Magazine’s annual Best of Philly Issue and also being named Philadelphia’s Music Ambassador by city Councilman David Oh. Moody is also an entrepreneur, with a clothing line, craft beer line, consulting firm, and record label all under his brand “nicethings.” He recently started a new group called “&More” with Philly R&B singer, Donn T; and is also releasing new music every Monday through his #MoodyMonday campaign.
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of Independence Blue Cross Foundation, will also be honored with Voices of Hope’s 2021 Innovation Award for her work and influence on behalf of the Greater Philadelphia region’s health and wellness, particularly in communities of color.
For more information, visit
www.manncenter.org/
For those who are unfamiliar with the Mann Theatre, their information is provided below. But allow me to preface it by saying it is one of best outdoor theatres on the planet - and one of my favorite venues to frequent. It's truly a local and national treasure. https://manncenter.org/
About the Mann
As one of the foremost outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, a leading non-profit organization, has a historical legacy of artistic excellence
as a world-class entertainment destination presenting premier artists, now in association with Live Nation Entertainment. Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B and pop
take the stage here. The Mann is the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra and has presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since the 1930s. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann hosts more than 200,000 visitors
annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s acoustically acclaimed TD Pavilion; picnics, blankets and music under the stars on its Great Lawn or at the top of the hill at the
Skyline Stage; and dining in Crescendo, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant.
In addition, the Mann’s Education & Community Engagement Program reaches 30,000 young people annually through free programming that this year has gone virtual. With its new, online Mann Music Room: Learn, people of all ages are exploring global cultures through original episodes of programming that connect artists and audiences, home to home. For more information, visit www.manncenter.org.
Mark your calendars folks - this is going to be inspiring, entertaining and educational, worth seeing and worth sharing with your kids. The Mann is in the business in revealing the genius with them - no doubt this could be the beginning of their self discovery.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria DULAN-Wilson
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