There’s a long-held holiday tradition in New York happening next Monday, December 8 at 7p.m. An esteemed roster of diverse Broadway performers will be featured in the “Seasons: A Gospel Holiday Concert,” to be held at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at 566 LaGuardia Place.
Known as Broadway Inspirational Voices, or BIV, the upcoming concert celebrates music as a pathway to service. It was begun in the 1990’s during the height of the AIDS epidemic when the need for hope, unity and inspiration was in great demand. Since then, the organization has continued to draw new performers from on and off-Broadway.
Rather than provide a story on the event after it occurs, Woman Around Town wanted to do a preview of sorts so that this event gets on as many calendars as possible. As Executive Director, Angela Grovey says, “This year’s theme, “Rooted and Rising,” touches upon gospel and its history, and how to nourish, grow and heal, even in darker times.”
The two guest artists this year are Jade Milan from the show Hell’s Kitchen, and Kyle Freeman who was in The Wiz. Both are new performers, says Grovey, who feels “it’s important to shine a light on where we come from, but also shine a light on our future in the arts. These two are emerging to not just be beautiful artists, but beautiful humans.”
This year’s show will offer a mix of classic holiday music, inspirational Gospel and spoken word pieces. Proceeds go towards BIV’s programming which focuses on community outreach, music education, and collaborative projects that bring the joy of music and the arts to underserved populations.
BIV’s Artistic Director and GRAMMY nominee Allen Rene Louis says this: “The holidays are a time of hope and celebration, and that’s exactly what our holiday concert is.”
Woman Around Town will be there Monday night. We hope you will be as well.
For more information: Broadway Inspirational Voices
