In an effort to create a more intimate
setting for a world class performer to share her talents with the Asheville community, Eagle Market Streets Development
Corporation and Asheville Lyric Opera have moved the Celebrate the Block Friendraiser to the historic Berry Temple
United Methodist
Church at 34 College Place, Asheville
NC 28801.
Downtown neighbors are celebrating the revitalization of the block at the
intersections of Eagle and Market Streets. Eagle Market Streets Development
Corporation (EMSDC) and Asheville Lyric Opera (ALO) are partnering for an event
Friday, August 29 to recognize the revitalization of the historic buildings on Eagle
and Market Streets. Celebrate the Block
will be an evening of world class musical entertainment and a chance to
celebrate long held relationships and to build new relationships with community
members who are passionate about the revitalization of the historic
neighborhoods here in Asheville.
The
historic Berry Temple
United Methodist
Church is located across the street
from the Allen Home
School for Girls, one of the first
schools in the Asheville
area that was solely for the education of the African American female
community. The school was built in 1897 and was an all-girls school until 1941
when it was accredited by the state of North Carolina
and became Allen High School. Berry Temple
United Methodist
Church served as the
chapel for the school until 1974 when the school shut down.
Bringing recognition to this
exciting new venture, Celebrate the Block
will entertain guests with the talents of international gospel, jazz, and opera
singer Audrey DuBois Harris. As
an avid recitalist and concert performer, Audrey DuBois Harris has sung with
the Gerda Lissner Foundation at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, the
Orchestra of St. Luke's at Harlem's Apollo Theater, a September 11th
remembrance ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC., The Marcello
Giordani Foundation Gala Concert at Merkin Hall honoring opera soprano, Renata
Scotto, and as a soloist on tour with The American Spiritual Ensemble. She
performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for
both the premiere of Wynton Marsalis' mass: 'Abyssinian 200: A Celebration' and
the occasion of Wynton Marsalis' 50th Birthday celebration broadcast on PBS
conducted by Composer/ Arranger/ Conductor/ Pianist, Damien Sneed. American
conductor and founder of Opera Orchestra of NY, Eve Queler featured Ms. DuBois
Harris in her gala concert entitled: Eve Queler & Friends in Blandford, MA.
She also performed as a special guest artist in concert with the New Jersey
Association of Verismo Opera under the baton of Anthony Morss, and as a guest
artist in concert with the Palm Beach Opera under the baton of Maestro Anton
Guadagno.
In
2014, Audrey DuBois Harris was featured on the Trinity Broadcasting Network's
Praise the Lord program. Hosted by Gospel Superstar and multiple Grammy, Dove
& Stellar awards winner, Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Ms. DuBois Harris was the
'Official Day Soloist' for the 105th Church
of God in Christ (COGIC) Holy
Convocation in St. Louis, Mo.,
which aired LIVE around the world and a guest artist for the 133rd Annual Session
of The National Baptist Convention in Charlotte,
NC. In addition, she was the
guest artist for the 13th Annual Keepers of the Dream Awards in NYC where
President Barack Obama gave the special keynote address. She has traveled the
country extensively singing and promoting her Classical/ Gospel CD: Testimony;
a soaring, inspirational collection of beloved and cherished hymns of faith. No
matter the venue, critics and audiences have hailed her for her luminous voice,
passion and artistry. A native of Miami, Florida, Ms. DuBois Harris is a graduate of the New World School of the Arts and The Juilliard
School in NYC.
Among
the attendees for Celebrate the Block are
local and state leaders, board members of YMI Cultural
Center, EMSDC, and ALO,
as well as others who have an interest in revitalizing the historic community.
Celebrate
the Block will be held Friday, August 29, 6-8 pm at the Berry Temple
United Methodist
Church. Reservations are suggested and can be made by
calling the Asheville Lyric Opera Office at 828-236-0670. Please note seating is limited. Donations
will be accepted.
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