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| By Lori Szepelak Correspondent CHICOPEE Elms College culminates its Black History Month offerings with the Langston Hughes Project "Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz" on March 4. The multimedia performance features spoken word artists, a jazz quartet and a slide presentation of images from the Harlem Renaissance, beginning at noon in Veritas Auditorium in Berchmans Hall. "This multimedia program recreates Langston Hughes vision of the global struggle for freedom in the early 1960's," said Jose Tolson, director of campus activities at the Elms, during an interview with Reminder Publications. "African-American artists and photographers, including Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks and Romare Bearden, link words and music to a kaleidoscope collection of images. "Langston Hughes was one of the great black poets of his time," added Tolson. "His work is a lasting legacy of the struggle of black people to have their voices heard. Hughes' poetry is as important today as it was during the 'Renaissance.'" "Ask Your Mama" was launched in 1996 for the opening of the Weisman Art Museum on the campus of the University of Minnesota, according to Tolson. Since that time the project has been performed at colleges, universities and jazz festivals throughout the country. "The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural revolution, a profound literacy, intellectual and political movement based in Harlem, N.Y., between 1910 and 1940," said Tolson. "This production will also highlight the music, images and words from that period." Ronald McCurdy of South Pasadena, Calif., serves as music director and composer of "Ask Your Mama," and orchestrates the original musical based on the music cues suggested by Langston Hughes. Tolson noted he hopes the audience will "take away a greater understanding of the musical, cultural and political contributions that Hughes and all African-Americans have made to society." The presentation of "Ask Your Mama" is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.elms.edu or contact Tolson at (413) 265-2211. |