The second of three special history-minded performances celebrating the history of Buffalo and Black Rock NY (home of the world famous Sportsmens Tavern).
I am hosting and emceeing each of these events, which I personally curated with an eye towards sharing compelling stories about our past and present in an atmosphere that everyone enjoys.
SUNDAY, MARCH 24 at 2PM
Reggie Harris in concert, performing songs and stories of the Underground Railroad
Situated just across the Niagara River from Canada, Black Rock was an important crossing place for African Americans escaping slavery via the Underground Railroad. International performer, lecturer and cultural ambassador Reggie Harris will bring a program combining spirituals and roots music, historic inspiration, and moving original songs to explore this harrowing quest for freedom.
A moderated discussion/Q&A will be held following the performance – what did this final leg of the journey look and feel like, and what is the impact of this activity on today’s communities North and South of the border?
The Black Rock Sundays @ Sportsmens series is hosted by the Black Rock Historical Society, Black Rock Riverside Alliance, Sportsmens Tavern, and Dave Ruch, with generous funding from Humanities New York, our statewide humanities organization.
Free and open to the public, the events kick off at 2pm and feature an hour-long performance followed by up to 30-minutes of guided discussion and Q&A.
Full schedule:
Sunday Feb 24, 2pm Ian Bell – Music of the Great Lakes
Sunday Mar 24, 2pm Reggie Harris – Songs and Stories of the Underground Railroad
Sunday Apr 14, 2pm Gretchen Sepik performing her one-woman experiential theater show “Erie Canal Sal”