Black History Month Celebration

A Tribute to the Hidden Roots of Black Music

Saturday, February 22, 2014.  6-9 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)

$35.00 Non-members/ $25.00 Members/ Children under 12 FREE

Finley Center: 2060 West College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Gospel, jazz, rock, and soul are all part of Black History Month Celebration:  A Tribute to the Hidden Roots of Black Music. This musical journey features some of America’s past musical greats and feature some of the most innovative North Bay musical talent. The evening is hosted by the North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce and takes place Saturday February 22 at 6 p.m. at the Finley Center in Santa Rosa.

The evening’s musical journey starts with the explosion of 19th and 20th century gospel, travels to influential tunes of the 1920-1980’s and then rounds the melodic bend with a tribute to musical greats Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson and others.

Event features include southern style soul food prepared by Red Rose Catering, Paradise Ridge wine tasting, dancing, and guest speakers, local gospel groups, and Bay Area performers.

Special Guests:

Emcee: Mohammed Bilal: Best known as "the even-tempered, dread- locked rapper guy” on MTV's Real World III: San Francisco, Bilal is a diversity consultant, musician, and writer. His awards include two SF Whammies and one Bay Area Music Award for best Hip-Hop group. Bilal’s music has been featured in the Sundance Award-winning film, Drylongso, and on TV shows such as Moesha and NBC’s mini-series Kingpin.

Musician: Ric Alexander: Alexander, an innovative figure in contemporary music, is an experienced saxophonist, songwriter and producer known for playing two saxophones simultaneously. His latest release, 2wo 4our 1ne, is a collaboration with Grammy nominated producer/guitarist Levi Seacer (Sounds of Blackness, Sheila E., Prince, Pointer Sisters) that explores new directions in the music industry. Alexander recently took top honors in the Dave Koz Music Cruise contest and is currently nominated as “Best Jazz Musician” for an East Bay Area Music Award.

 “We are looking forward to sharing our rich musical and culinary heritage with our families and friends,” said Letitia Hanke-Ryzhkov, president, North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce. NBBCC is comprised of local business owners, potential business owners, professional and business partners and alliances dedicated to promoting, supporting and enhancing all businesses, in particular black-owned businesses.  This is accomplished through various network venues and forming partnerships and alliances with business entities offering business contracts and various business opportunities.

Cost is $35/non-members, $25/members and free for children 12 and under. $10 discount on tickets purchased by February 15. For more information, call 888.846.5155 or visit www.nbbcc.org.