Reminiscent Presents 'Black History Tribute To Motown'

Contributed

Join members of Erie's Breeze Band and beyond as the female-led Reminiscent Band performs their Black History Tribute to Motown in the Hirt Auditorium at the Blasco Memorial Library.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

The music of Motown is getting the Erie spotlight this month as Reminiscent presents a "Black History Tribute to Motown" at the Blasco Library. Featuring lead singers Rasia Crockett, Anoia Hobson, and Andrani Foster Samuel alongside members of The Breeze Band, the group will be performing music from 1960s Motown and more in dedication to Black History Month.

"Motown inspired most of the music that we play, and everyone we knew grew up listening to Motown as their heroes and legends in life," Maurice Troop of The Breeze Band explained. "We also come from the same time, so it's special music to us. It's fun music that brings people together; I think that's one of the greatest things it did. It brought people together from all walks of life."

Audiences can expect songs from the Motown icons Diana Ross and The Supremes in addition to the Marvelettes. Hits such as "Baby Love," "Where Did Our Love Go," "Keep Me Hanging On," and "Please Mr. Postman" are part of Reminiscent's repertoire, with many of their other covers spanning Motown's long-established history and discography. "We found out many of these female groups also covered songs by male artists, so we will do the music of Stevie Wonder and the Jackson Five. They covered other genres as well, including songs by the Beatles. It's wide open what we can do."

For Reminiscent, the concert helps keep the music of Motown alive and gives back to the Erie community. "We really want people to know that Motown was a rich gift in our history of the world," Troop describes. "When we do a Motown song, we hear people of all ages singing the same song word for word ... It's still great music. If you think about the artists you listen to now, their music has progressed in their careers. Motown was able to transform itself over and over again throughout the years to keep its music alive. We want to keep that music alive and help develop an appreciation of its history." 

6 p.m. // H.O. Hirt Auditorium at the Blasco Library, 160 E. Front St. // $10 // For more info: facebook.com/reminiscentband