According to a recent news release, the world-renowned African Children’s Choir will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at the Frederick A. Douglass High School auditorium, 900 N Martin Luther King Ave. in Oklahoma City. The event marks the opening performance of the 2010-11 season of performing arts presented by Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. As BLAC Inc. nears the end of its 40th anniversary, the choir that started in 1984 will be the first performance of the season but will end a year-long celebration of the arts as presented by BLAC Inc.
The African Children’s Choir performances are a fundraiser to help orphans on the continent. Funds from performances support projects that provide food, medical assistance and education. Through the music of choir members, many of whom are homeless, millions of dollars have been raised to start schools, fight diseases such as AIDS and establish centers where children are fed.
“Good Morning America” featured the choir in 2009 in concert following a magnificent performance on “American Idol.” The African Children’s Choir have also appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and at the White House in August 2008 as former President George W. Bush signed the H. R. 5501, or the Global AIDS Initiative Renewal bill, to greatly increase foreign aid for those in Africa suffering from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The African Children’s Choir performed for Her Majesty the Queen of England and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
“Good Morning America” featured the choir in 2009 in concert following a magnificent performance on “American Idol.” The African Children’s Choir have also appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and at the White House in August 2008 as former President George W. Bush signed the H. R. 5501, or the Global AIDS Initiative Renewal bill, to greatly increase foreign aid for those in Africa suffering from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The African Children’s Choir performed for Her Majesty the Queen of England and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
“It is a way that Oklahoma can make a contribution to these projects while enjoying a performance fit for a Queen or President, for that matter,” said Anita Arnold, BLAC Inc. executive director. “This is one of many ways, Oklahoma can make an impact felt around the world, through BLAC Inc. and its programs. The performance is open to the public, and we encourage you to come.”
The performance is made possible through funding provided by the Oklahoma Arts Council. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the following Oklahoma City locations: Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Store, KM66 and Learning Tree Toy Store. For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or to sample some of the choir’s music, go online to http://africanchildrenschoir.com/.