If you can only attend one African American History event this year...it should be this one!

The Musical event of the year!
(click here to view the poster)

The Howland Cultural Center will host Passing the Torch Through the Arts on Saturday February 12th at 8pm at 477 Main Street, Beacon NY 12508 with a Fundraising Event … It is the premiere of Michael Monasterials’ now fully completed and ready for New York Rock/Gospel play, "Sam, Where You Been Baby?" . Introducing our new star, Wendell Anderson, famed soul singer of Hues Corporation’s hit song “Rock the boat”, makes his Passing the Torch debut.

New songs, New scenes, New cast…the final touches are done…come see what a year of touring has done to this great show.

Also a musical tribute to Three generations of African American Artists…
60’s … Sam Cooke; 70’s… R&B singer Wendell Anderson classics from that era; 80’s …( 9 Year old) Maya Monasterial makes her Hudson Valley professional Theater debut in a tribute to Whitney Houstons’ “The Greatest Love”.

About the Play: The reviewers hail Sam Cooke Where You Been Baby? as: "Riveting", "Spellbinding", "The best performance and cast north of Broadway", “A Must See!” : Theater Beat, Times Herald record, Hudson Valley Press. For more reviews and clips of the show go to www.passingthetorchthroughthearts.com

From Rosendale to Woodstock to Beacon, audiences keep coming back for more. This story of the life of Sam Cooke has been presented to large houses and standing ovations and is still being developed for a NYC tour in Spring 2011. So come enjoy this masterpiece as it is honed and crafted to perfection by a multi-talented cast and crew. New Cast Members, New Songs, New Scenes!

Passing the Torch Through the Arts present an original historical play by Michael Monasterial entitled,
Sam Cooke: Where You Been Baby?

It's educational theater at its finest with this new musical production. This American pop fable illuminates the life and musical genius of a true original. The pop singer who wrote, performed and produced 24 Billboard hits over his 8 years at the top of the charts was also a pioneer in the Civil Rights movement and an inventor of musical styles that are still incorporated in pop and gospel music 50 years later.
Sam Cooke's early years in Mississippi, his rise to fame and his demons that ultimately lead to his untimely demise are explored in this drama, but it is well seasoned with humor, pathos and most of all great, great music.

Sam Cooke is directed by Candi Sterling and the production stage manager is Patricia Gallio, with music by Bruce Berky and choreography by Abby Lappen. It stars Sabrina Kershaw, Lucinda Carr, Stephen M. Jones, Evelyn Clarke, Dennis Washington and Michael Monasterial as Sam Cooke.

There is a suggested donation of $20.00 per ticket, seniors $15 and $15 in advance. As always, all students (ages 11 to 21) are free when accompanied by an adult. For information call 845-901-6820.

Come catch the Fire of Inspiration!