Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Common and renowned jazz musician Washington Rucker are among the music industry professionals taking part in the 11th Annual African-American Music Festival at Cal State Northridge later this month.
The festival, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled to take place March 22-27. It will feature music education workshops, for middle and high school students, that provide an opportunity for the young people to explore the creativity found in the spiritual, Blues, jazz, R&B and gospel art forms that have served as a foundation for much of the worlds music.
The festival has been an important addition to CSUNs community outreach in promoting music education regionally, said Pan-African studies professor Deborakh Broadous, advisor of the African-American Music Association (A2MA), the student group that is organizing the event. We believe in the power of mentorship and exposing these children to the most successful musicians and executives in the business. We hope to encourage these young people to pursue their dreams.
Broadous said the festival provides an opportunity to explore, learn, share and grow in the understanding of the influences of African-American music through musical workshops and student programs such as the Master Class Project, panel discussions, live performances from various artists as well as providing student performers with a platform to get their music critiqued by entertainment industry professionals.
The highlight of this years festival is scheduled to take place Thursday, March 25, when dozens of middle and high school students will take part in the Master Class Project from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Student Union on the east side of the campus off Zelzah Avenue. The project involves a series of music education workshops designed to provide a forum in which the students can personally interact with music educators. Famed jazz musician Washington Rucker and the R&B group KNS Rockstar are expected to perform.
The Master Class will be followed at 4 p.m. by the Music Business College Tour and Student Showcase, which will feature Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist and actor Common and Ernie Singleton, former vice president of urban music for MCA Records and CEO of Singleton Entertainment Corp.
The tour and showcase includes an educational panel and networking forum for high school and college students interested in the music and entertainment industries.
Other activities in the six-day festival include writers and contemporary worship music workshops and concerts.
The festival will culminate at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, with a gospel concert and reception at Calvary Baptist Church of Pacoima, 12928 Vaughn St. in San Fernando.
For a full list of the festivals activities, dates and locations, call (818) 677-9464.
Though the festivals activities are free and open to the public, reservations are recommended for the Master Class Project and the Music Business College Tour and Student Showcase. To make a reservation, please e-mail [email protected].
The festival is supported by A2MA, CSUNs Pan-African Studies Department, the University Student Union, Singleton Entertainment Corp., the Entertainment Educational Foundation, Project MuszEd, Mixed Chicks and Secret Publicity and Special Events.