The free April 1 concert, which will be held from 3-11 PM in the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, will celebrate not just the undisputed icons of the 1960s and ‘70s, but also the genre’s more distant past and its recent and current innovators. The entire event will also be live streamed.
In the 9 PM segment, LaChanze will pay tribute to the work of Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and Roberta Flack.
Curated by Monique Martin, the day-long event will also feature the all-female salsa band Lulada Club; poet Mahogany L. Browne on video; singer-songwriter Nona Hendryx with an all-women orchestra; Harlem’s GLR¥A and The Rakiem Walker Project; Grammy-winning singer-songwriter J. Hoard; Native and African-American vocalist-songwriter-educator Martha Redbone; Maria Abney's The Soapbox Presents; gospel-jazz-soul vocalist Marcelle Davies Lashley; “ghettotrance” singer Anthony Mills, accompanied by pianist and DJ ELEW; author, producer, and creative executive Thembisa Mshaka; and singer Xavier Smith.
Members of Ladies of Hip-Hop, which provides opportunities for girls and women in hip-hop culture, will perform—and lead the audience in—Black social dance. Mari Ella and DJ Miss Saigon will spin classic soul music between segments.
The Fred Ebb Award recognizes excellence in musical theatre songwriting, by a songwriter or songwriting team that has not yet achieved significant commercial success.