The Mainstay's Harlem Renaissance Centennial Celebration takes place Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 PM at 5753 North Main Street in Rock Hall.
Karen Somerville and the Karensomerville Band Welcome New York City Vocalist Donnie T. Smith for an Evening of Jazz, Soul and Musical History
The sights and sounds of the Roaring Twenties are coming to Rock Hall as The Mainstay presents a special Harlem Renaissance Centennial Celebration on Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 PM.
Featuring Kent County's own Karen Somerville and the Karensomerville Band, joined by special guest Donnie T. Smith, a jazz and soul vocalist from New York City, Gref Burrows on drums, Gerry Werner on piano, Jeff Davis on Bass and Dave Stahl on trumpet, the concert promises an exciting evening celebrating one of the most remarkable periods in American musical and cultural history.
The Harlem Renaissance was much more than a musical movement. Beginning in the 1920s and flourishing into the 1930s, it represented an extraordinary explosion of African American creativity in music, literature, poetry, theater and the visual arts. Harlem became a cultural capital, attracting talented artists and performers whose work would forever change the American cultural landscape.
Jazz was the soundtrack of this remarkable era. The music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Bessie Smith and countless others filled Harlem's nightclubs, ballrooms and speakeasies. The rhythms were irresistible, the performances electrifying, and the influence of this extraordinary generation of musicians continues to be heard in jazz, blues, soul and popular music today.
On November 7, The Mainstay will celebrate that rich musical heritage with a performance that brings together two outstanding vocal talents.
Karen Somerville has long been recognized as one of the Eastern Shore's most engaging performers. Her expressive voice, commanding stage presence and ability to connect with audiences have made her a favorite throughout the region. Together with the accomplished musicians of the Karensomerville Band, she brings warmth, sophistication and a genuine love of the music to every performance.
Joining Karen will be special guest Donnie T. Smith, whose jazz and soul vocals will add another exciting dimension to the evening. The combination of these two distinctive voices promises a memorable celebration of the musical traditions that emerged from Harlem and helped shape generations of American music.
And The Mainstay is inviting audiences to become part of the celebration!
Guests are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the Jazz Age by dressing in their favorite 1920s or 1930s-inspired attire. Whether it's a flapper dress, a fedora, a vintage suit or simply a touch of Roaring Twenties elegance, the evening offers an opportunity to have a little fun while enjoying some outstanding live music.
The concert also reflects The Mainstay's continuing commitment to presenting programs that entertain while celebrating the history and cultural significance of American music.
The Harlem Renaissance was a defining chapter in that history, demonstrating the extraordinary power of music and artistic expression to bring people together, challenge conventions and create a lasting cultural legacy.
A century later, that legacy remains very much alive.
The Mainstay's Harlem Renaissance Centennial Celebration takes place Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 PM at 5753 North Main Street in Rock Hall.
Tickets are $30 and are available through InstantSeats.
Come dressed for the occasion, enjoy an evening of exceptional music, and experience a little of the excitement, elegance and irresistible spirit of the Jazz Age, right here in Rock Hall!