The Harlem Gospel Choir will perform on February 19

SOLD OUT!

In observance of Black History Month, UNC Asheville will host a spirited performance by the Harlem Gospel Choir at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium.

Dubbed the “Angels of Harlem” by U2’s Bono, the Harlem Gospel Choir will literally have you dancing in the aisles. This 11-member group, now in its 21st year, is one of the world’s preeminent gospel choirs, spreading a message of love, peace and harmony through music. Each member is a professional gospel singer or musician in his or her own right, representing the depth of talent to be found in the churches of Harlem. The choir tours extensively and has performed with such artists as the Chieftains, Diana Ross, Jimmy Cliff, Lyle Lovett, Avril Lavigne and U2.

Ticket holders may wish to arrive at 6:45 p.m. for a pre-concert talk on “Musical Signification and Cultural Representation in Gospel Music” by Horace Maxile, UNC Asheville assistant professor of music. Maxile’s talk will explore the historical and musicological issues of gospel music from its origins in the 19th century to present day manifestations. Maxile will emphasize his points by playing demonstrations on the keyboard throughout the talk.

General admission tickets are $12 or $6 for local students with ID. To reserve tickets by phone, call the UNC Asheville Box Office at 828/232-5000. Tickets may also be purchased with cash or check at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville.

The concert is sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Office of Cultural & Special Events, UNC Asheville’s Office of Multicultural Student Programs and the YMI Cultural Center Inc.

For more information about this performance, purchasing group tickets or UNC Asheville’s Cultural & Special Events season, call 828/251-6227 or click on www.unca.edu/culturalarts/.