African-American women in music, dance, fashion and more are honored in Celebrating Phenomenal Women, a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra program for Women’s History Month.
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra presents "Celebrating Phenomenal Women," 8 p.m. Sat., March 2. Heinz Hall, Downtown.
Highlights include tributes to famed jazz pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams, who grew up in Pittsburgh, and the late Aretha Franklin, sung by Broadway star Capathia Jenkins.
The program, at Heinz Hall, opens with a rendition of “Lift Ev’ry Voice” — also known as “the black national anthem” — by the Hill District-based Lift Every Voice Unity Choir and the Hill Dance Academy Theatre.
Other highlights include works by pioneering African-American composers Florence Price (the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphony composer) and William Grant Still (the first African American to have a composition performed by a major orchestra). “Dream Variation,” a musical work framing the poems of Langston Hughes, will be performed by vocalist Anqwenique Wingfield, pianist Rebekah Hill, and poet Bonita Penn.
Also featured are photographs by Njaimeh Nije and a special exhibit highlighting the sartorial stylings of Williams and Franklin, as interpreted by Pittsburgh-based fashion designers Demeatria Boccella and Kiya Tomlin, who serve as co-hosts for the concert.
The evening’s best-known guest is likely Jenkins, whose credits include the role of Dorothy’s mother in the 2015 NBC TV production “The Wiz Live.” Jenkins will sing a selection of hits by the Queen of Soul.
“She’s an amazing vocalist,” says Boccella. “So I’m really thrilled she’ll be here in Pittsburgh, on stage and paying tribute to the amazing Aretha Franklin.”
The program will close with the Lift Every Voice Choir singing “How I Got Over,” a gospel standard made famous by Mahalia Jackson.
WESA receives funding from Pittsburgh Symphony.
