Celebrate Black History Month with the History of Black Music: Arts Collinwood Presents Concert of Spirituals, Classics and Gospel

M4M (Music for Miles) Series Features Popular African-American Soprano, Pat Harris.

Music is a language we can all understand, from African drums to Peruvian flutes to Beethoven symphonies. So it’s especially appropriate that the M4M concert for February will feature the rich soprano of Pat Harris Thomas.

Pat’s splendid voice will fill the Arts Collinwood gallery on Sunday, February 10, in a program of spirituals, classics from Porgy and Bess, and historic Gospel selections. Pat will be accompanied by pianist Robert D. Mollard, principal keyboardist of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and the concert will be free. Light refreshments will be offered for a small charge.

The concert begins at 4 pm and runs a little over an hour. Come early to enjoy juice or wine with fruit, cheese and cookies, $5. Stay after to talk with the musicians and other music lovers.

While you listen, you can also enjoy the current show in the Arts Collinwood gallery: “Pretty Vacant,” an installation by five artists who have spent the last decade exploring abandoned factories and vacated neighborhoods, and pondering vacancy’s potential for both damage and new opportunities. Featuring Joseph Carl Close, Ron Copeland, Dana Depew, Dave Desimone and Greg Ruffing.

A few highlights from Pat Harris Thomas’ distinguished career: featured soloist for President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Louis Stokes, Andrew Venable, Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., Senator Shirley Smith, the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Featured soloist in many outdoor festivals such as The Tri-C Jazz Festival, Madison Jazz Festival, A Taste of Cleveland, opening act for Barry Manilow. Lead vocalist for the group Superlove in Europe with worldwide tours and recordings. Bob Mollard is founder and president of Mollard Conducting Batons, Inc., the leading manufacturer of products for professional conductors worldwide. 

The M4M concert series will continue into Spring: "The Passion of Bach" with pianist Stuart Raleigh and the Raleigh Chamber Players, on March 10.

"Stringtime For Springtime" with the Fine Arts String Quartet on April 14.

"Honoring American Composers" with The Silver Keys Clarinet Quartet, on May 12.

All concerts are held on Sunday afternoon at 4 pm, and are free, thanks to generous support from  Local 4 Music Fund, the Music Performance Trust Fund, the Arts Collinwood Friends’ Committee, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, and Ohio Arts Council.

For information, contact Arts Collinwood, 15605 Waterloo Road, 216-692-9500, www.artscollinwood.org.

Nan Kennedy is a founding member of Arts Collinwood; chair of the Arts Collinwood Advisory Board; president of the Lakeshore/Collinwood Garden Club; and grandmother of Emma, Jane and Attila.