(Clje 'P o rtla n d ffibseruer
April 21, 1999
Focus
weet Honey In The Rock, true to Arts Festival Award for Distinguished
her name - soul-stirring, and rock Achievement.
solid continues her work of bringing Sweet Honey’s May 1996 Euro­
a rich musical experience to her ex­ pean tour included performances at
panding audience communities. Dur­ the Vocal Chords Festival and the
ing the 1995-96 season, the interna­ Bath International Festival, which
tionally acclaimed singing group ex­ was highlighted by her collabora­
tion with Jam aican Dub poet Jean
panded her loyal following as she
toured Europe, performed at the New Binta Breeze. In addition to her col­
Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and laborations with Breeze and Brooks,
shared the stage with renowned poet the ensemble also performed live
with Sonia Sanchez, the pairing of
G w en dolyn
Brooks at the Sanchez’s dynamic poem “ I Had
Come Into the City” with Bernice
N a tio n a l
Johnson
Reagon’s arrangement of
Black A rts
the
traditional
church song “ Stay
Festival in At­
On
The
Battlefield.”
This joining is
lanta. Ms.
Brooks and one of the very important works on
Sweet Honey the group’s 1995 recording, Sacred
received the G rou nd, co-produced by Sweet
1996
N a­ Honey founder Bernice Johnson
tional Black R eago n and d au g h te r T oshi
S
Page 5
Sweet Honey is a Grammy award­
winning African American female a
cappella ensemble with deep musi­
cal roots in the sacred music of the
black church - spirituals, hvmns,
gospel - as well as jazz and blues.
The Sweet Honey experience is like
no other. Five African American
women join their powerful voices,
along with hand percussion instru­
ments, to create a blend of lyrics,
movement and narrative that vari­
ously relate history, point the finger
at justice, encourage activism, and
sing the praises of love. The music
of Sweet Honey speaks out against
oppression and exploitation of every
kind. The quintet, whose words are
sim u ltan eo u sly in terp reted in
uniquely expressive American Sign
Language, demands a just and hu­
mane world for all.
i(E
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h* Menmins v|-
MAY^DAY
Kennedy School
May Day Celebration
Saturday, May 1 from Noon to 10pm
Artisans Fair • Live Music
Childrens Entertainment • Maypole Dancers
Fun for the whole family
Sweet Œioney
2 5 th Anniversary Tour
Qomes To The Qivic
Grammy award-winning cultural icon, Sweet Honey In The Rock will be at the Civic Auditorium in
Portland May 22 for an 8 PM appearance Their 25‘ Anniversary Tour concert will feature their exhila­
rating mix of African, gospel, blues, jazz and traditional music. Sweet Honey sings passionately about
justice struggle, and love, Bonnie Raitt, who knows a thing or two about music says “The depth of where
they’re’ singing from, politically and personally, is just unmatched.” Enthusiastic audiences have agreed
worldwide as their popularity has soared in the last few years.
No two Sweet Honey concerts are ever the same as they don’t work from a set list but instead, choose
songs onstage to fit that night, that city, that audience. The group harbors a fondness for Portland based
on their other appearances here and can be expected to give a moving, heartfelt, and joyous 25 Anni­
versary ¿¿ffonnauce, their first here Since’96.
Sweet «Honey TnTTie‘Rock, Civic Auditorium, 222 SW Clay, Portland 8 PM Saturday, May 22.
Tickets: FASTIXX, BY PHONE 22CB499.
McMenamins Kennedy School
5 7 3 6 NE 3 3 rd • Portland, Oregon • (303) 2 4 9 -3 9 8 3
www.mcmenamins.com