Sunday, February 6, 2011

Mars Hill College: “Chamber Music Theatre Work 'Ain’t I A Woman!' Celebrates African American Women” Feb. 11


[Shinnerrie Jackson]

Mars Hill College
“On February 11 at 7 pm, the Core Ensemble will perform the chamber music theatre work 'Ain’t I a Woman!' at Moore Auditorium on the campus of Mars Hill College. The performance is free and open to the public. Chamber Music Theatre is unique performance format developed by the Core Ensemble featuring a marriage of theatrical narrative to chamber music performance. Actress Shinnerrie Jackson portrays multiple characters while interacting with the onstage musical trio of cello, piano and percussion. Musicians of the Core Ensemble are: Wendy Law on cello, Byron Sean on piano, and Michael Parola on percussion.

“'Ain't I a Woman!' celebrates the life and times of four powerful African American women: renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, ex-slave and fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, exuberant folk artist Clementine Hunter, and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer. The musical score is drawn from the heartfelt spirituals and blues of the Deep South, the urban vitality of the Jazz Age, and contemporary concert music by African Americans. 'Ain’t I a Woman!' is a joyful exploration of the trials and triumphs of four passionate and accomplished women.

“Since 1993, the Core Ensemble has toured in every region of the United States and internationally to Australia, England, Russia, Ukraine, and the British Virgin Islands. The Core Ensemble has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, The Palm Beach County Cultural Council and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music. Cherry Saenger, chair of the Women’s Studies Program at Mars Hill College said: 'Mars Hill College and the Women’s Studies program is proud to host the national touring Chamber Music Theatre, “Ain’t I a Woman.” This music and theatre production celebrates the lives of four significant African American Woman whose lives and stories will resonate with audiences today.'”

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