Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal's Lunch and Listen to feature music of Aretha Franklin
The Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal, in conjunction with the Kentucky State University Division of Performing Arts, presents the inaugural Lunch and Listen Series Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 11:30 a.m. in the Carl M. Hill Student Center Ballroom.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Lunch and Listen Series is designed to offer the campus and community an opportunity to enjoy lunch and fellowship against the backdrop of a luncheon concert. As the first-ever effort, this concert will feature the music of Kentucky State faculty and students of the Division of Performing Arts, who will offer live musical renditions from the discography of the late Miss Aretha Franklin.
Widely hailed as the “Queen of Soul,” Franklin, whose music career spanned six-plus decades, died of cancer earlier this month at the age of 76. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin spent her formative years in Detroit, Michigan, the city she called home for much of her life, and where she died and was funeralized.
“As one of America’s greatest singers in any style Miss Franklin’s voice towered over music at home and abroad for more than a half century,” noted Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal Director Crystal A. deGregory, Ph.D. “But in as much as Franklin’s songbook is a guide to the very best of American musicality, many of her struggles–including a life-long fight for civil rights–serves as evidence of black women’s intersectional struggles of race and gender, and her legacy includes all that she endured.”
Selections will include the classics “Respect,” “Natural Woman” and “Rock Steady,” among many more. These songs chronicle Franklin’s early commitment to feminism, giving voice to women’s empowerment, including shirking body shaming.
“The sheer strength, power and agility in the queen of soul’s voice traversed boundaries of race, style, class, culture, and country,” noted Dr. Lori C. Hicks, interim chair, School of Humanities and Performing Arts. “Miss Aretha Franklin’s artistry spoke to the very hearts of people in love, in loss, in pain, and in joy. Her musical legacy has inspired and encouraged countless singers and musicians, and we are honored to use our gifts to pay tribute to the queen of soul.”
Attendees may feel free to sing along and to bring their own brown bag lunch or to enjoy lunch on us.
For more information, please email AtwoodInstitute@kysu.edu.