The Colonial Theatre Presents Sweet Honey In The Rock 1/28

The internationally renowned, Grammy Award winning a cappella ensemble, Sweet Honey In The Rock, founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973 at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company, is coming to the Colonial for one performance only on Friday, January 28 at 8pm. This internationally renowned group has been a vital and innovative presence in the music culture of Washington, D.C., and in communities of conscience around the world.

Tickets are $55 and $35 and may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street Monday-Friday 10pm-5pm, extended to intermission if a performance, Saturdays 10pm-2pm, extended to intermission if a performance and if a performance Sundays at 10am by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.TheColonialTheatre.org.

The Group's name comes from Psalm 81:16; the promise to a people of being fed by honey out of the rock. Honey: an ancient substance, sweet and nurturing. Rock: an elemental strength, enduring the winds of time. The metaphor of sweet honey in the rock captures completely these African American women whose repertoire is steeped in the sacred music of the Black church, the clarion calls of the civil rights movement, and songs of the struggle for justice everywhere.

Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock possesses a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. Sweet Honey's collective voice, occasionally accompanied by hand percussion instruments, produces a sound filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms.

In the best and in the hardest of times, Sweet Honey In The Rock has come in song to communities across the U.S. and around the world raising her voice in hope, love, justice, peace, and resistance. Sweet Honey invites her audiences to open their minds and hearts and think about who we are and how we treat each other, our fellow creatures who share this planet, and of course, the planet itself.

Following up on their 2008 Grammy-nominated release, Experience...101, Sweet Honey returned to the studio to record Go In Grace, original music composed for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Together these two artistic treasures of the African American experience performed this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration throughout the United States during the 2008-2009 Season.

Equally thrilling was the invitation received from First Lady Michelle Obama in February of 2009 to perform at the White House in celebration of African-American History Month. As the Associated Press reported, "foot-stomping music filled the East Room..." as Sweet Honey sang for 6th and 7th graders from around the city.

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