Celebrating Black History Month
THE MUSIC OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT (1940-1970)
On Wednesday, February 26 from 1:00-2:00 pm, join John Clark for this multimedia presentation. This program begins with a controversial Marian Anderson concert and a sobering Billie Holiday song. Then leading up to the Civil Rights songs are You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught from South Pacific and
Nat King Cole’s We Are Americans Too, his response to a 1956 racial incident. The rest of the program is devoted to the history of 1950s and 1960s Civil Rights anthems like We Shall Overcome, Eyes on the Prize, Blowin’ in the Wind and other Bob Dylan songs that brought racial issues to a new level of national attention. Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come, James Brown’s Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud and Sly & the Family Stone’s Everyday People and even Elvis Presley’s In the Ghetto were all influential and reflected greater public awareness of the need for change and racial justice. Also included are important songs by Odetta, Nina Simone, Curtis Mayfield and Janis Ian.
Please register at 617-730-2770.