In honor of Black History Month, the HRCF is “dedicated to arts education and the re-invigoration of interest in music, art and cultural awareness among our youth,” according to event officials.
Archer High School is located at 2255 New Hope Road, Lawrenceville.
The three-day event will start with “Cindy the Musical,” produced by Broadway veteran Stepp Stewart of the “Dr. Oz Show.” This musical fairytale, set in Harlem 1943, tells the story of Cindy who is reunited with her father after traveling from the South to meet her new stepmother and sisters. She quickly finds herself in a house full of mean-spirited relatives who don’t give her the reception she was expecting. Cindy rises above bullying and low self-esteem as she never stops believing in love and happiness. Based on the 1978 television special of the same name, Cindy is a different kind of Cinderella story now adapted for the stage.
There will be an opening night show of the musical at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 and a 2 p.m. matinee show Feb. 7.
Event officials are inviting elementary and middle schools in local school clusters to plan a field trip for students to attend Feb. 5 or 6 for the 10 a.m. shows. Special discounted rates will be offered to schools and bookings will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Student tickets are $10 per student. General public tickets are $12 per person and are available on Eventbrite.com.
The HRCF will also be hosting an indoor festival Feb. 7 with open stage performances, museum displays, children’s activities and food and craft vendors. There will be a Live Museum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with reenactments of historical singers, poets, musicians and dancers along with artwork by professional artists sponsored by Snellville Arts Commission. All artists appearing in the festival gallery are being submitted by SAC. Leroy Banks’ work is currently in the Snellville gallery, representing the Arts Commission and promoting his work to draw more public interest to people visiting the city gallery to view and buy art. SAC is also being recognized by Gwinnett County School District for our support of the Live Museum as well.
At 2 p.m. the day of the indoor festival will be the final matinee show of “Cindy the Musical.” There will be the “Apollo Open Stage Concert” from 4 to 6 p.m.
The event offers free parking and entrance into the festival. However, food and merchandise vendors will charge for services. Tickets for all shows are available in advance and can be purchased at Archer High School on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m.
For school and group bookings contact Alisa Boykin, Archer High School PTSA Black History chair and SAC vice chair at 678 861-1815 or via email at: ahsptsablackhistory@gmail.com. The deadline to reserve the seats for school groups is Feb. 2.
