The Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal, in conjunction with the 91传媒 Division of Performing Arts, presents the inaugural Lunch and Listen Series Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 11:30 a.m. in the Carl M. Hill Student Center Ballroom.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Lunch and Listen Series is designed to offer the campus and community an opportunity to enjoy lunch and fellowship against the backdrop of a luncheon concert. As the first-ever effort, this concert will feature the music of 91传媒 faculty and students of the Division of Performing Arts, who will offer live musical renditions from the discography of the late Miss Aretha Franklin.
Widely hailed as the 鈥淨ueen of Soul,鈥� Franklin, whose music career spanned six-plus decades, died of cancer earlier this month at the age of 76. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin spent her formative years in Detroit, Michigan, the city she called home for much of her life, and where she died and was funeralized.
鈥淎s one of America鈥檚 greatest singers in any style Miss Franklin鈥檚 voice towered over music at home and abroad for more than a half century,鈥� noted Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal Director Crystal A. deGregory, Ph.D. 鈥淏ut in as much as Franklin鈥檚 songbook is a guide to the very best of American musicality, many of her struggles鈥搃ncluding a life-long fight for civil rights鈥搒erves as evidence of black women鈥檚 intersectional struggles of race and gender, and her legacy includes all that she endured.鈥�
Selections will include the classics 鈥淩espect,鈥� 鈥淣atural Woman鈥� and 鈥淩ock Steady,鈥� among many more. These songs chronicle Franklin鈥檚 early commitment to feminism, giving voice to women鈥檚 empowerment, including shirking body shaming.
鈥淭he sheer strength, power and agility in the queen of soul鈥檚 voice traversed boundaries of race, style, class, culture, and country,鈥� noted Dr. Lori C. Hicks, interim chair, School of Humanities and Performing Arts. 鈥淢iss Aretha Franklin鈥檚 artistry spoke to the very hearts of people in love, in loss, in pain, and in joy. Her musical legacy has inspired and encouraged countless singers and musicians, and we are honored to use our gifts to pay tribute to the queen of soul.鈥�
Attendees may feel free to sing along and to bring their own brown bag lunch or to enjoy lunch on us.
For more information, please email AtwoodInstitute@kysu.edu.