Media Releases
The City of Bloomington publishes media releases from time to time, to share newsworthy information that may be of interest to the community and to the audiences of local media outlets.
Black to Life: A Black Music Month Celebration
In honor of Black Music Month in June, Bloomington Center for The Arts and The Avant Garde present "Black To Life: A Black Music Month Celebration." During the season of Juneteenth, this two-day series will showcase Minnesota's top artists representing different genres of Black Music, ranging from Gospel and R&B to Jazz and Hip-Hop.
Thursday, June 13, 7:30 – 9:15 p.m., will spotlight R&B/Soul and Gospel Music, featuring three-time Grammy Award winner Jamecia Bennett and Courtland Pickens with KNOWN MPLS!
Friday, June 14, 7:30 – 9:15 p.m., will feature Jazz and Hip-Hop, with Jazz great and Grammy Award winner Ben Williams and Hip-Hop artist Lewiee Blaze. Doors open at 7 p.m. both nights.
Lifetime achievement awards will be presented to Twin Cities Black Music legends Pete Rhodes, Kimberly Rhodes (Black Music America) and Kathleen Johnson (Musicians 4 Musicians). This event is hosted by The Avant Garde founder, Chadwick “Niles” Phillips and sponsored by the African American Leadership Forum.
“"Black To Life" is our opportunity to pay homage to the legends of the past, to celebrate the icons of the present, and to uplift the voices of the future in Black music,” Phillips said.
All shows will be held at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, Schneider Theater, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington. For tickets, visit blm.mn/blacktolife.