Soul Food: Inspirational Music and Words to Nurture the Soul and Elevate the Spirit

 

 Saturday, 1/27 - Soul Food @ OU Varner Recital Hall - 7pm 

While honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded that, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” Similarly, in the Baha’i tradition we are taught by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love.”

As someone dedicated to a world embracing vision of humanity, it is heartbreaking to hear the vitriol in our public discourse that routinely describes people of a country, culture, or religion as somehow inferior. And as an artist-educator, I refuse to be silent on this issue! However, in following the teachings of Dr. King and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, I wish to do something positive in response to the current state of our society. So, my community partner, Dwayne Anthony, and I are presenting our third “Soul Food” event this coming Saturday, Jan. 27th at Oakland University – 7pm, Varner Recital Hall - FREE admission.

This special program has been created to bring our community together andcelebrate the oneness of humanity. At this Saturday’s “Soul Food” we will all be nourished by healing music and words of wisdom from Native-American, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha’i spiritual traditions. The program will feature the artistry of Spirits Rising, Elizabeth Rowen and I-Chen Yeh, Fortino and Rolando Ybarra, the School of World Music and Dance, the Jazz Quintet for the Nightingale, and the Pontiac Citywide Choir Union. We will also be joined by OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, Mayor Deidre Waterman, and Professor Alan Epstein. Following the program, there will be a reception and post-concert discussion led by OU religious studies faculty.

Please help me spread the word far and wide about “Soul Food!” It is the most important event I will produce this year.

Mark 

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