By Graciano Clause
The Black Spectrum Theatre will help Queens celebrate Mother’s Day with the second annual Spirit and Harmony Festival this weekend.
The theater, located in Roy Wilkins Park near Baisley Boulevard and 177th Street in Jamaica, will be filled with classic ’70s soul music and live performances from groups across the African Diaspora.
Attendees can expect to treat their mothers to dinner and show as they vibe to music.
Philadelphia’s classic R&B singing group Blue Magic and New York’s Crossfire Steel Orchestra will collaborate they entertain mothers and families. Special guests that will also be featured Sunday evening are Thokoza and Thuli Dumakude (Star of the Lion King in South Africa), with Bambara Dance and Drum Ensemble.
Carl Clay, founder of the Black Spectrum, said he was excited for the upcoming festival.
“This event was created to bring different genres of culture including African, Caribbean, and R&B,” Clay said.
Clay believes the display will bring a harmonious vibe for everyone in attendance.
“It’s the greatest gift we can give to mothers in community,” Clay added.
Segun Shabaka, chairman of the board for the Directors at International African Affairs, added how special he believes this return event will be.
“People can expect a very warm and upbeat pan African cultural vibe that will be a mixture of dynamic music ranging from South African a capella to R&B and so on,” Shabaka said. “This is for the mothers of all mothers, the African woman who are the creators of humanity from young and old.”
The event runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Doors open for vendors shopping at 3 p.m. Show tickets in advance are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets for the show and dinner are $45. For more information call (718) 723-1800.
