(Boston, MA) Roxbury Community College (RCC) is pleased to present its first annual "Roxbury Rocks" Music Festival on Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 1-6pm on the campus of RCC at 1234 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury Crossing in Boston. In addition to music and dance, the festival will feature food trucks, free ice cream, balloons and face painting. The event is free and open to the public. For details go to the RCC web site at www.rcc.mass.edu or call 617/541-5380.
Dr. Valerie Roberson, President of RCC, said, “The festival is a wonderful way for RCC to celebrate the summer season and say thank you to the community for their support during the past year. We want to make “Roxbury Rocks” an annual RCC tradition. It is also a great opportunity to find out about the programs that RCC offers.”
The Musical Line-up: The performers include headliner Ron Murphy, a noted singer, performer, producer and actor. Murphy also writes jazz, rhythm and blues and gospel. He performs from 4-6pm. Others on the roster from 1:00-3:30p.m. include: The John Kordalewski Trio, the soulful singer, Alexi Paraschos, the reggae band, King-I, and OrigiNation, a noted Boston dance company. Mistress of Ceremonies is Bonnie Johnson, producer and host of the WICN 90.5 FM radio program called Colors of Jazz. (See their backgrounds on page two.)
In addition to WICN, festival partners include Ben & Jerry’s, Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, Wally’s Café, Slade’s Bar & Grill and Trader Joe’s.
RCC’s First Annual “You Rock” Awards: Other highlights include a music concert and presentation of the first “You Rock” awards from 4-6pm inside RCC’s Media Arts Center. There, RCC will recognize community leaders who have championed RCC and the Roxbury community. Carmen Fields, noted journalist and media professional, will serve as host. Honorees include: Sonia L. Alleyne, MPA, Vice President & New England Regional Manager, Community Reinvestment & Santander Bank Foundation; Judge Leslie Harris, an associate justice of the Suffolk County Juvenile Court; Derek Lumpkins, executive director of Discover Roxbury; and Beverly Morgan Welch, executive director of the Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill and Nantucket.
About Roxbury Community College:The mission of Roxbury Community College is to facilitate the success of students in achieving their educational goals. Now in its 41st year, RCC is a comprehensive, multicultural, urban, student-centered and open-access community college, providing learning opportunities for all who may benefit. For more information, visit www.rcc.mass.edu or call 617/541-5310.
About the Performers:
- The John Kordalewski Trio featuring pianist/arranger John Kordalewski who is leader of the Makanda Project, a 13 piece group that includes several of Boston's leading jazz musicians. For this performance, he will be joined by two outstanding young musicians: bassist Matt Stavrakas and drummer Colin Rosso. They have presented ongoing concert series at Roxbury Heritage State Park and the Dudley Library since 2007. He has also performed frequently in the Boston area as leader of a trio (often featuring legendary drummer Bobby Ward) and (during the late 1990s) with Salim Washington's Roxbury Blues Aesthetic.
- Alexi Paraschos, currently is a choral director and educator at the Noble and Greenough School, piano teacher at the Butterfly Project, and keyboardist at the Myrtle Baptist Church. He continues to rise on the Boston soul scene, headlining local soul music venues such as Slade's, Darryl's Corner, Johnny D's, the Regattabar, and playing at festivals in and around the area.
- OrigiNation, a noted, local dance company whose mission is to utilize innovative dance instruction, performance opportunities, and other effective strategies to promote self-esteem, leadership development, physical fitness and self-sufficiency among youth. OrigiNation is home to four professional youth companies - NIA Dance Troupe, Girlz of IMANI, IMANI Jr., and Aleye Boyz Troupe. They are trained in all styles of dance and well known for their high energy performances in hip hop, African and modern contemporary.
- King-I (KingiMusic) is one of today's most promising emerging artists. His dynamic and versatile style as a updated cultural reggae artist reflects his early roots in Trinidad & Tobago as well as his influences of popular music that he listened to while growing up in an urban US neighborhood. Through his positive music he wisely and spiritually spreads his love for the people. Described as a powerful and soulful performer, King-I's "powers" are seen in his engaging and highly energetic stage performance.