Highlights from the Fannie Lou Hamer Story: A Civil Rights Opera by Mary D. Watkins

Sunday, April 24, 2016

3:00 PM

Agnes Scott College

Presser Hall, Gaines Chapel

141 E. College Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030

The daughter of sharecroppers, Fannie Lou Hamer became a national leader on the front lines of the civil rights movement. An engaging history told through song, the opera captures the particular challenges faced by women activists of color— Hamer had to fight against sexism as well as racism throughout her life. The opera explores Fannie Lou Hamer’s decision to fight for her rights, her challenges, her triumphs, and addresses the impact of her activism on her husband and children.

With classical music infused with influences of gospel, jazz and the blues, "Highlights from the Fannie Lou Hamer Story: A Civil Rights Opera by Mary D. Watkins" celebrates Hamer’s legacy, one that is particularly poignant and relevant to today’s audiences as grassroots movements for social justice in the African-American community are rising nationally.

Andrea Chinedu Nwoke and Philip Lima will perform the roles of Fannie Lou Hamer and her husband Pap Hamer, respectively, accompanied by the Agnes Scott College Community Orchestra conducted by Dr. Qiao Solomon and a 12-member chorus. The performance will also include two orchestral pieces, "Soul of Remembrance" by Mary D. Watkins and "Afro-American Symphony" by William Grant Still.

This free concert is made possible by a unique collaboration between Agnes Scott College, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and WomenArts, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Starry Night Fund, the James T. and Ella Rather Kirk Fund and many generous individual donors.

The event is free, but tickets required for entry. Visit http://fannielouhamer.brownpapertickets.com.