Tantalizing aromas of African delicacies wafted through the dining halls and the sounds of gospel graced Bailey Hall in the Festival of Black Gospel concerts commemorating Black History Month.
The Festival of Black Gospel (FBG) sponsored three days of activities last weekend. Guest choirs included Touch, the Community Workshop Choir, Dickson Guillaume and the Haitian Interdenominational Mass Choir.
“It’s kind of exciting to see so many students just hanging out with their friends,” said Estrella Howell ’01. “It puts things in perspective. I have energy for tomorrow.”
To commemorate its 25th anniversary, FBG engaged in a history of gospel. Throughout the performance on Saturday, the audience heard a narration of important facts about the evolution of gospel, beginning with the days of slavery.
Orange, green and blue lights accompanied the dancers who performed African dances. Several small groups sang a cappella and the Mass Choir — consisting of students, faculty and community members — sang contemporary gospel songs. The audience clapped along with the choirs.
“FBG is a blessing to the campus. I think it’s good for the Cornell community to come out with the Ithaca community to interact and praise the Lord,” said Michelle Scott grad, a member of the Mass Choir.
The Robert Purcell Community Center Marketplace Eatery hosted a night of African foods Thursday to celebrate Black History Month.
Some food selections that were served included bacon cheddar grit patties, fried plantains, doro-wat chicken and baby mustard greens. Okenshield’s treated students to the same cuisine Friday night.
“On our part, it was a success,” said Kyle Polzella ’02, a marketplace eatery student manager. “We had a plan for what we wanted, [and] I think that it went pretty well.”
Black History Month events will continue this week in celebrating the achievements of African Americans. A showing of “Malcolm X” will be presented Wednesday night in the Ujamaa Main Lounge.Tantalizing aromas of African delicacies wafted through the dining halls and the sounds of gospel graced Bailey Hall in the Festival of Black Gospel concerts commemorating Black History Month.
Guest Choirs
The Festival of Black Gospel (FBG) sponsored three days of activities last weekend. Guest choirs included Touch, the Community Workshop Choir, Dickson Guillaume and the Haitian Interdenominational Mass Choir.
“It’s kind of exciting to see so many students just hanging out with their friends,” said Estrella Howell ’01. “It puts things in perspective. I have energy for tomorrow.”
To commemorate its 25th anniversary, FBG engaged in a history of gospel. Throughout the performance on Saturday, the audience heard a narration of important facts about the evolution of gospel, beginning with the days of slavery.
Performances
Orange, green and blue lights accompanied the dancers who performed African dances. Several small groups sang a cappella and the Mass Choir — consisting of students, faculty and community members — sang contemporary gospel songs. The audience clapped along with the choirs.
“FBG is a blessing to the campus. I think it’s good for the Cornell community to come out with the Ithaca community to interact and praise the Lord,” said Michelle Scott grad, a member of the Mass Choir.
The Robert Purcell Community Center Marketplace Eatery hosted a night of African foods Thursday to celebrate Black History Month.
Some food selections that were served included bacon cheddar grit patties, fried plantains, doro-wat chicken and baby mustard greens. Okenshield’s treated students to the same cuisine Friday night.
“On our part, it was a success,” said Kyle Polzella ’02, a marketplace eatery student manager. “We had a plan for what we wanted, [and] I think that it went pretty well.”
Black History Month events will continue this week in celebrating the achievements of African Americans. A showing of “Malcolm X” will be presented Wednesday night in the Ujamaa Main Lounge.
Archived article by Kelly Samuels