FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karin Venegas, karin@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7049
Sandra Tharas, sandra@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7068
Jamaal Fisher, jamaal@anatgerstein.com, 347-545-2198
Award-Winning Broadway Stars Celebrate Black History Month in Flushing Town Hall’s Black History Trilogy
—Jimy Bleu, Larry Marshall, and Tina Fabrique pay homage to Jimi Hendrix, Bert Williams, and African-American Gospel——In-person tickets are available online, and virtual audiences can join for free.
DONATIONS to support Flushing Town Hall are greatly appreciated—
(Flushing, N.Y.)—This February, Flushing Town Hall celebrates Black History Month with the return of its Black History Trilogy, a three-part series featuring outstanding performers paying tribute to influential African-American musicians, entertainers, and musical traditions.
The Trilogy kicks off with Third Stone from the Sun - A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix on February 12, 2022 at 7 PM, showcasing Jimi Hendrix’s most popular songs. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.
Jimy Bleu, the longest-running and most authentic of tribute artists, will recreate the musical genius of Jimi Hendrix on Flushing Town Hall’s stage alongside Moby Medina on bass guitar and Ted Edwards on drums. When Jimy Bleu is not rocking out on stage, he gives lectures as a “Hendrix historian” on radio, TV, and at colleges throughout the country about Hendrix’s wide-ranging impact on music, politics, fashion, and art.
On Sunday, February 20 at 7:00 PM, the Black History Trilogy continues with a presentation of The Black King of Vaudeville - Remembering Bert Williams in Song featuring Tony-nominated actor Larry Marshall celebrating the life and music of Bert Williams. Larry Marshall is best known for his starring roles in Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, and Porgy & Bess.
Bert Williams (1874-1922) was one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians of his time. Throughout his three decades-long career, in an age and industry rife with racism, he became the first Black American to pioneer leading roles, both on Broadway and in the 1914 film Darktown Jubilee, pushing back racial barriers and subverting the usual tropes.
The Trilogy concludes with a soulful homage to Gospel featuring award-winning Broadway veteran Tina Fabrique on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 7:00 PM in The Power & The Glory - Music of the Black Church.
Gospel, a form of spiritual music that remains a staple of African-American life today, is rooted in the solo and responsive church singing of the African-American South. Gospel originated from Black spirituals, slave songs, and white hymnody, and it emerged in tandem with ragtime, blues, and jazz.
In her Trilogy performance, Tina Fabrique (star of Ragtime, Bring in da’ Noise, Bring in da’ Funk, The Wiz, Bubbling Brown Sugar, and Gospel at Colonus) will bring the power and glory of Gospel to Flushing Town Hall in a rousing, soul-affirming performance.
In-person tickets for each Trilogy performance are $15/$12 Members. Those unable to attend in person can view the livestream for free at https://www.youtube.com/flushingtownhall/live. Donations are encouraged. For tickets and more information, visit www.FlushingTownHall.org or call (718) 463-7700 x222.
COVID Policy: In adherence with NYC's Covid policy for performance venues, Flushing Town Hall will require all visitors ages 5 and up, performers, and staff to show proof of vaccination. Masks will be required at all times for everyone. For more details on Flushing Town Hall’s Covid-safety measures and vaccine requirements, please visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/covid-safety.
Flushing Town Hall is accessible by car, bus, train and foot – located a short distance from the 7 train - at 137-35 Northern Blvd., in Flushing, Queens. Access for wheelchair users and individuals with limited mobility is available.
Black History Trilogy for Calendars:
Black History Trilogy #1: Third Stone from the Sun - A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
SAT, FEB 12 @ 7:00 PM
The musical genius of Jimi Hendrix – one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century – is recreated on stage by Jimy Bleu. Jimy Bleu is the longest-running – and considered the most authentic – Jimi Hendrix tribute artist rocking on stage since 1968. He is joined by Moby Medina on bass guitar, Ted Edwards on drums.
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/third-stone-from-the-sun
Black History Trilogy #2: The Black King of Vaudeville - Remembering Bert Williams in Song
SUN, FEB 20 @ 7:00 PM (ET)
Tony-nominated actor Larry Marshall (Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Porgy & Bess) rejuvenates the life and music of Bert Williams, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era, and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. In an age when racial inequality and stereotyping were commonplace, Bert Williams became the first Black American to take pioneer leading roles, both on Broadway and in the 1914 film Darktown Jubilee, pushing back racial barriers in his three-decades long career.
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/the-black-king-of-vaudeville
Black History Trilogy #3: The Power & The Glory - Music of the Black Church
THU, FEB 24, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Award-winning Broadway veteran Tina Fabrique (star of Ragtime, Bring in da’ Noise, Bring in da’ Funk, The Wiz, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Gospel at Colonus), pays homage to Gospel – spiritual music that remains a staple of African-American life today. Gospel originated from Black spirituals, slave songs, and white hymnody, and it emerged in tandem with ragtime, blues, and jazz.
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/the-power-the-glory
For the venue’s full schedule of 2022 Winter events, visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/events
Support Global Arts With A Gift Today!
All gifts of $50 or more give you exclusive Flushing Town Hall Circle of Friends membership benefits including a Smithsonian membership, ticket discounts, and more! Donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world.
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/circle-of-friends
Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization and receives major support in its 2021-2022 Fiscal Year from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; The City of New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio (2021) and Mayor Eric Adams (2022); New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Gonzalo Casals; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; The New York City Council, Speaker Corey Johnson; Council Members Costa Constantinides, Daniel Dromm, Barry Grodenchik, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Paul A. Vallone, Jimmy Van Bramer; Howard Gilman Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, Guru Krupa Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
To view current donor lists, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/donor-listings
About Flushing Town Hall
Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City, in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FTH celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.
Land Acknowledgement:
Flushing Town Hall acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Matinecock People, one of the original tribes of New York, and the first people of Flushing, Queens. The Matinecock continue to live and work on this land to this day. Flushing Town Hall honors their elders who have stewarded this land throughout generations.
For more information:
www.flushingtownhall.org
(718) 463-7700 x222
137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354