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Sweet Honey in the Rock

Sweet Honey in the Rock is an African-American a capella ensemble that was formed 39 years ago. Its founder, Dr Bernice Reagon, came to understand the power of music as a change maker while in jail, and became a leader in the civil rights movement by the means of her songs. With such a political background, Sweet Honey in the Rock establishes itself as an engaged group of artists who, while exploring the musical possibilities of different genres such as Gospel and blues, affirm their African-American identity and promote social activism.

Attending their performance was an amazing, eye-opening experience. I am thankful for everything I learned about what being human means, and for all the fun I had singing and clapping along!

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Img URL: http://www.bobedwardsradio.com/storage/Sweet-Honey-in-the-Rock.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1318610103563

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Sweet Honey in the Rock taking on Gospel!

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SHR: Celebrating the Holydays

The performance was centered around the theme of the holidays. They talked about how this period of the year is a very special one to be enjoyed, as it is a period of holidays and celebration for different religions and communities. Be it for Christmas, the Winter Solstice, or simply Winter Break and the return journey to our families, we all had something to cheer up for! 

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Those women had such strong voices, such technique, and such spontaneity they would move a rock! On top of that, their voices blended with each other perfectly.

Img URL: http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/grpPxy1aDUk/hqdefault.jpg

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SHR: A lesson about love and unity

One of the artists began to talk about how we, humans, are all connected. We are all one. To make us experience this connection, she invited us to turn to the person sitting next to us, and say: “That’s me!”. This moment was very important and inspiring for me. I had received their message of love and understanding, and was left with it to apply in my personal life. 

Img URL: http://www.kalamu.com/bol/wp-content/content/images/sweet%20honey%2006.jpg

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We don’t want to survive, we want to thrive. And why wouldn’t we want it for the extensions of ourselves?

Sweet Honey in the Rock - December 7th @Philadelphia

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Img URL: http://thirdcoastdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Sweet-Honey-2-1.jpg

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SHR: A lesson about happiness and simplicity

Sweet Honey also promotes a simple life: we don’t want luxury, we don’t want more than what we need. We only want good healthcare and good education. The last song they sang was centered on the theme of greed. In this song, they criticize the American dream, based on dissatisfaction: having more than what we need but never as much as what we want.

Img URL: http://fijourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/the-american-dream.jpg

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The performance ended under resounding acclamations and standing ovations. We were all grateful for the joy and humanity that Sweet Honey in the Rock shared with us that night, and completely dazzled by their performance. 

Img URL:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Sweet_Honey_In_The_Rock....jpg/240px-Sweet_Honey_In_The_Rock....jpg

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Millenium Baptist Church service

Sunday, the Day of the Lord. We arrived in front of the Millenium Baptist Church at 10:20, and faced a big, simple red double door with a cross on the middle of each side. It was the first time I was ever to attend a church service!

Img URL: 

http://www.millenniumbaptistchurch.org/publishImages/index~~element82.jpg

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 As the piano resonated with lively chords, the voices responded with force, shaking you deep inside. The audience would be called to react by multiple, energetic “Say Amen!” and other “Say Yeah!” ; with a constant invitation to clap along.

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MBC: Community, spirituality, GOSPEL!

I experienced Gospel music as a very refreshing genre that would move you and almost put you in trance. Especially when it is performed with such heart as it was in Millenium Baptist Church, delivers God's message in a unique way. Music becomes a bonding experience, an experience of unity involving us all and directing us together towards the same objective.

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I am definitely going back to church, even if I remain a Muslim. The service at Millenium Baptist showed me that being in church is one way of experiencing community and spirituality, no matter what your beliefs are. I am definitely going back to church, even if I remain a Muslim. For me, being in church is one way of experiencing community and spirituality, no matter what your beliefs are. I am grateful I have attended such an inspiring, amazing event. 

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Terakaft

We were headed to World Café Live. This was where Terakaft would perform, that Tuesday night. Terakaft (meaning "caravan" in Tamasheq) is a Touareg desert rock band formed in 2001 by Sanou Ag Ahmed and based in Mali with Kedou Ag Ossad. Kedou was a member of the original line-up of Tinariwen, which may explain the close musical styles of the two bands.