Butler University kicks off Black History Month with ‘Community Sing’

Butler University Black Alumni Association and the Indianapolis Women’s Chorus are inviting members of the community to come together for a celebration of Black music. Kicking off Black History Month in harmony, Community Sing: Celebrating the Black Experience, takes place at 2 p.m. on Feb 1 at the Shelton Auditorium on campus. The free event welcomes singers and non-singers of all ages to “revel in Black music,” such as gospel, pop and Broadway selections, under the direction of Butler alum Markell Pipkins, according to a press release. READ MORE: ‘King James’ to bring story of friendship and basketball to IRT stage Created by Stacie Colston Patterson, chair of the Butler University Black Alumni Association and singer in the Indianapolis Women’s Chorus, Community Sing is an informal and family-friendly activity honoring the culture and legacy of Black music within the community. “Black music has been described as the root from which all American music is born — from work songs and spirituals meant to keep time in the fields and provide direction for the Underground Railroad to Shaboozey providing a modern take on country music,” Colston Patterson said in a statement. “It soothes the soul during mourning. It is an expression...