Here we are, already almost a week into the month of February 2010, and there is so much to see and do in Niagara. This weekend, for example, to celebrate Black History Month, Laura Thomas and her choral group Choralis Camerata will present their annual Follow the Freedom Trail gospel concert not once, but twice.
This evening (Saturday), the choir is at Mountainview Christian Reformed Church on Main Street West in Grimsby, a large, modern church with lots of seating available. Sunday afternoon, the choir shifts to a somewhat more traditional setting at St. John's United Church in Stevensville, near Fort Erie. Saturday evening the performance is at 7:30; Sunday afternoon's performance is at 2:30. Along with the choir, Teresa Holierhoek is the featured soloist along with members of the Niagara Symphony; the narration for both performances will be provided by - wait for it! - your humble scribe, Mike Saunders. I hope that won't stop you from attending, however...
I haven't seen any details on who is presenting and benefitting from the Stevensville performance on Sunday, but this evening's Grimsby performance is presented by the Niagara West Tourism Association, and proceeds benefit arts and culture groups in Grimsby, including the Grimsby Museum, Grimsby Archives and the Grimsby Historical Society.
The music will come from the so-called Underground Railway, the human pipline that brought American slaves north to Canada and freedom, led most often by Harriet Tubman, who lived for awhile right here in St. Catharines. Slaves escaped to other places, too, of course, but Canada was truly the promised land for these people, and although many didn't make it all the way, many more did, and built new lives here in Canada and in fact, many right here in Niagara. It is a vital part of our history from a couple of centuries ago that should be remembered for several more centuries, as we acknowledge what these people had to endure at the hands of those who thought themselves better, more deserving souls.
The music, as you'll discover if you attend one fo the concerts, paints a vivid portrait of how these slaves often managed to outsmart their masters while providing vital information to escapees looking for safe passage out of the United States. Even the quilts popular at the time told their story for the slaves on their journey; it really is quite amazing. Some of those quilts are on display at the concert in the sanctuary of each respective church.
Teresa Holierhoek is again the soloist this year, and she is a joy to hear. A voice you have to hear to believe, and she lives with her family right here in Niagara! Also joining the jazz ensemble is Doug Miller, playing both flute and saxophone, and Laura plays percussion as well as conducting. Together with the choir, the music is jazzy and spiritual at the same time.
There is so much more we can learn during Black History Month, and the concerts this weekend will provide a fitting start should you want to delve even further. I hope to see you at one of the concerts, and of course, for music by the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, featured on my website at http://www.finemusic.ca/, send me an email either through the website or directly at music@vaxxine.com and I will hook you up with some of the most inspiring music you'll ever hear.
February 6th, 2010.
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