Category: Oklahoma City

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Monthly jazz program series begins at Oklahoma City’s Douglass High School

Left to right, Earl Day, Keyboards, Delmar Burge, Drums and Kirbie Greene, Congas.



According to a recent news release, Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. is sponsoring a monthly jazz program as a reward for students at Frederick A. Douglass High School in Oklahoma City. The program is a new initiative that starts this month at the request of Douglass High School Principal Brian Staples as part of the comprehensive program funded by the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association (NBMOA). 
“The 2010–11 school year begins a long term commitment for NBMOA to work with students and faculties of Frederick A. Douglass High School and its feeder schools to provide services through BLAC, Inc. to get student state performance scores up to meet state and national standards,” NBMOA President Darryl Umphries said.  “We have adopted this project to ensure the success of Douglass and its associated schools.  In doing so, we will have contributed significantly to improving the entire community.  It is a strong collaboration of partners that will demonstrate that positive change will result when people work together.  We are happy to be a part of an exciting future for our community and our schools.” 
The Earl Day Trio kicked-off the jazz series on Sept. 10, 2010, and will be followed by the Moe Williams Band on Oct. 8, 2010, and Kelvin Drake Band on Nov. 5, 2010. The free performances are open to the public.
“Other bands will be scheduled for the rest of the school year,” said Anita Arnold, BLAC Inc. executive director. “These bands will perform from 1:15 p.m. until 2:40 p.m. on each date.” 

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Oklahoma City’s Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. announces headliners for 2010-11 season

African Children’s Choir




Ailey II Dance Company of New York

Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. of  Oklahoma City, OK recently announced headliners for the upcoming 2010-11 season of performing arts and a new venue for ongoing performances. 
 “Beginning this year, most of BLAC Inc.’s performances will be held at Frederick A. Douglass High School auditorium, said Anita Arnold, BLAC Inc. executive director.  “However, the Soul Food Dinner Theater performances will continue to be held at the downtown Petroleum Club. The beautiful 1,200-seat auditorium fits our needs, as well as any other venue in the city, and it is conveniently located. In our 40th anniversary year, it is appropriate that we celebrate it by launching our 2010-11 season at Douglass.” 
The African Children’s Choir will open the season at Fredrick A. Douglass High School auditorium on Nov. 7, 2010, and Ailey II Dance Company of New York will perform at the auditorium on March 26, 2011.  
Grammy Award -winning jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum will headline the Soul Food Dinner series in a show, “Kirk Whalum Plays Donnie Hathaway” on Jan. 15, 2010, at the Petroleum Club in Oklahoma City. 

Kirk Whalum

“We are excited about our partnership at Douglass High School that includes professional development programs, performances and so much more,” Arnold said. “This is part of how we intend to continue our service to the community. BLAC, Inc. is offering a special Early Bird subscription to the 2010-11 season.  It is our way of offering savings on advanced ticket purchases.” 
The performances are partially funded through the Oklahoma Arts Council.  For more information, call BLAC Inc. at (405) 524-3800. 

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It’s Grady Nichols vs. Straight Ahead in Battle of the Bands on Friday, June 4, 2010

In what is sure to be a heated “Battle of the Bands,” internationally renowned saxophonist Grady Nichols and his band will take on Detroit’s best known all-female quintet, Straight Ahead, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2010, at Regatta Park located just south of downtown Oklahoma City.

From small-town Midwest beginnings to the big time, Grady Nichols enjoys an audience as broad as his musical taste.  The recording star has opened for artists such as Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti, Jay Leno, The Temptations, The Righteous Brothers, Al Green, O’Jays and so many more including Wayman Tisdale, Roy Clark, Kim Waters, and Bob James.
Out of Detroit’s lively jazz scene, an all-female quintet, Straight Ahead, emerges and they have shown themselves to be powerful and imaginative composers and arrangers.  The Straight Ahead sound ranges from mainstream jazz, R&B, ballads, avant-garde to Brazilian funk.  The group has opened for many greats including Nina Simone and Nnenna Freelon.  In 1990, the group recorded their first album for Atlantic Jazz, “Look Straight Ahead” which made the Billboard Contemporary Jazz top 20 list.  Two other albums followed, “Body and Soul” and “Dance of the Forest Rain.”  
Mark Temple, president of the board of directors of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. said in a news release, “It will be a lot of fun and a great way to continue the celebration of our 25th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival.”
Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Store, Hopkins Hair Enterprises, KM66 and Learning Tree Toy Store in Oklahoma City.  For more information call (405) 524-3800 or visit www.charliechristianfestival.com.  Sponsors of the Charlie Christian International Music Festival include BancFirst, EMSA, City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Breast Care Centers, Inc., Oklahoma City Beautiful, Oklahoma Department of Tourism, and University of Central Oklahoma.  

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Contemporary jazz artist Najee to headline 25th annual Charlie Christian International Festival in June 2010

Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. announced today that contemporary jazz artist Najee will headline the 25th annual Charlie Christian International Jazz Festival at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Regatta Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
With three platinum and five gold albums, Najee (born Jerome Najee Rasheed) is one of the pioneers of what is commonly known as contemporary jazz.  A native of Queens, New York, Najee began his career playing clarinet and later saxophone and flute.  While in high school, he began studying under the direction of Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, and Billy Taylor at Jazzmobile in Harlem.  Najee also studied flute with Harold Jones at the Manhattan School of Music. 
Najee, along with his brother Fareed, attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with a concentrated study in performance and composition. The brothers moved back to New York and were asked to tour with the R&B songstress Chaka Khan. 
After the release of his debut album “Najee’s Theme” in 1986, Najee embarked on a U.S. tour with Freddie Jackson.  “Najee’s Theme” went platinum and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987.  Najee’s sophomore album “Day by Day” also went platinum.  These albums were followed by “Tokyo Blue” and “Just an Illusion.”  In 1994, Najee recorded “Share My World.” 
Najee’s 1995 recording on EMI records was dedicated to one of his favorite artists and good friend, Stevie Wonder.  It was titled “Najee Plays Songs from the Key of Life: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder.” 
In 1998, Najee produced “Morning Tenderness.”  He is the recipient of many awards. Over the years, Najee has worked with may great artists such as Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, George Duke, Lionel Richie and Prince. 
Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the gate. Tickets may be purchased online at ProTix or at any Buy for Less store.  For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or go to www.charliechristianfestival.com.




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Child advocate Geoffrey Canada to speak on April 28 in Oklahoma City

Anita G. Arnold, executive director of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC), Inc., has announced that Geoffrey Canada, nationally known child advocate who founded Harlem Children’s Zone will speak from 1 to 3 p.m. April 28 at the Petroleum Club, 4040 N. Lincoln Blvd. 2nd floor, in Oklahoma City. Tickets are $40.  No tickets will be sold at the door, and seating is limited.  
Canada is known for helping impoverished, at-risk youth beat the odds.  Canada’s programs are on the cutting edge of preventing youth violence and fostering community development.  He transformed a 24-block area in Harlem, NY, and developed a network of services that has helped  more than 10,000 children.  
 The 2010 Brock Prize Laureate was presented a $40,000 award for excellence in education by Oklahoma University President David Boren and Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis at Tulsa University.  Canada is also a recipient of the Heinz Award which carries a $250,000 prize.  Canada has appeared on numerous television shows including “60 Minutes” and “The Colbert Report.”  He is also seen in an American Express television commercial that speaks of his ground-breaking work. 
Arnold said in a news release, “Oklahoma City is fortunate to have Mr. Canada come to share his experiences.  Anyone who is serious about changing the lives of children and profoundly changing communities should be there.  There is no one in America more qualified to address the issues of America’s children.  Mr. Canada knows what he is talking about.  He has lived it, written about it, inspired children and showed them how to succeed using his resources for their good.  We need to listen.”
BLAC, Inc., Enid Public Schools, Mid-Del Schools and Oklahoma City Public Schools will host the event.  For more information, call BLAC, Inc. at (405) 524-3800.   

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25th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival to convene June 1-6 in Oklahoma City

Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. announced this week that the 25th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival will be held June 1-6, 2010, in Oklahoma City. This popular event will be held at several downtown venues.
 The Charlie Christian International Music Festival is the center piece of Oklahoma’s rich music history that produced international personalities Charlie Christian, father of Bebop; jazz and blues singer Jimmy Rushing; the Blue Devils, famous Territorial Band and Ralph Ellison, the voice of jazz music.
Urban contemporary jazz artist Najee and other well-known music acts (yet to be announced) will be the headliners for this year’s festival. There are more than 12 jazz, blues, gospel, rhythm & blues bands from Europe and the United States features in this year’s festival.
The Charlie Christian International Music Festival has featured music greats such as Regina Carter, the late Isaac Hayes, Branford Marsalis, the late Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Jay McShann and Little Milton; George Benson, Kirk Whalum and many others. Over the past 24 years, more than 500,000 people have danced to the music, snapped their fingers, and had a ball at the indoor and outdoor activities of the festival.
 For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or e-mail blac37inc@yahoo.com.

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BLAC Inc. presents “An Evening with Ray Charles” Soul Food Dinner Theater on April 17 in Oklahoma City

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Donna Cox opens Carol Brice Series on February 20 in Oklahoma City

Soprano vocalist Donna Cox will open Black Liberated Arts Center Inc.’s (BLAC) 2010 Carol Brice Series at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Douglass High School Auditorium, 900 N. Martin L. King in Oklahoma City, OK.  
Cox is an assistant professor of Voice at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, where she teaches Applied Voice at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a pedagogue, she has facilitated vocal master classes in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina and New York.  
Cox has performed as the soprano soloist for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Salome Orchestra and conductor Ken Hakoda in Kansas with Academia Phil harmonica and Chorale.  She has performed the soprano solos in Vivaldi’s “Dixit Dominus,” Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass,” “Theresan Messes,” Mozart’s “Requiem,” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” 
In February 2007, she performed with Dave Brubeck in his mass “To Hope” with the Canterbury Choral Society under the direction of Russell Gloyd.  As a recitalist, Cox has performed on numerous university campuses in the United States.  She has also toured extensively throughout Germany, featured in recitals focusing on Mozart opera, oratorio and Lied. 
Cox’s Feb. 20 performance will focus on three African Americans – Robert Owens, Margaret Bonds and John Carter.  Poets Owens and Bonds often compared to none other than poet Langston Hughes.  The music is quite sophisticated with its lush harmonies and unexpected contrast which is an Owens’ trait.  It is also spiritual and includes John Carter’s arrangements as well as Cox’s arrangements.   
The program is supported by the Ad Astra Foundation and the Oklahoma Arts Council.  Tickets are $10 and are on sale at Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Store, KM66 and Learning Tree Toy Store in the Oklahoma City metro area.  For more information or to buy tickets, call BLAC Inc. at (405) 524-3800. 


Donna Cox – Voice from OU School of Music on Vimeo.

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Vocalist/Pianist Justin Echols headlines BLAC Inc.’s Soul Food Dinner Theater January event

Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. announced that the 2010 opener will be “An Evening of Jazz” featuring Justin Echols, as part of its Soul Food Dinner Theater series at the Petroleum Club, 34th Floor, in Oklahoma City. The Soul Food buffet begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, and the show starts at 8 p.m. 
Echols, who is a vocalist/pianist, has appeared in many venues and is a favorite on the Oklahoma City jazz scene.  He performs on a regular basis at the Skirvin Hotel Lounge.  
“We are pleased to present Mr. Echols in performance for this series,” BLAC Inc. Executive Director Anita Arnold said.  “What better way to begin our 40th anniversary year than to have a wonderfully delicious meal with great artistry in a superb environment.  Justin opens the first of three Soul Food Dinner shows.  The remaining two will be Feb. 6 and April 17.”  
The show is sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council.  Tickets are $45 and are on sale now and may be purchased through BLAC Inc., Capital Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz Rhythm and Blues Store, KM66, and Learning Tree Toy Store.  Mastercard and Visa may be used by calling BLAC Inc. at (405) 524-3800.

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Teacher Randy Barron to conduct arts education workshop in Oklahoma City


Randy Barron, a 25-year teacher specializing in arts education, will be in Oklahoma City Oct. 19-22, conducting teacher training at Wilson Elementary School in the Oklahoma City Public Schools District and at Highland Park School in the Mid-Del Schools District. The announcement was made today by Anita Arnold, executive director of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc.

Barron has conducted more than 100 professional development workshops and more than 75 in-school residencies in 23 states. Barron has written arts curriculum reaching more than 250,000 students in urban and rural school districts. He is a founding member and current curriculum coordinator for the Rio Gallinas School, an elementary charter school in Las Vegas that is focused on ecology and the arts.

As a professional dancer, Barron has choreographed, performed with and directed ballet and modern dance companies throughout the United States and Europe. He is a co-founder and former artistic director of City in Motion Dance Theater in Kansas City, Mo.

While in Oklahoma City, Barron will conduct the workshop, “Scientific Thought in Motion,” at Highland Park School and will spend three days coaching teachers at Wilson Elementary School. This is his third trip to Oklahoma City to work with classroom teachers.

This project, a part of BLAC Inc.’s arts education program, is funded in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Oklahoma Department of Education.