Event

Voices From the Heart Concert

Take Me to the Water! Set My Spirit Free!

Voices from the Heart celebrates Water with 200 soaring voices, African drumming, and a jazz trio from Boston on Saturday, November 23 at 4:00 and 7:30 p.m. at South Church, 292 State Street in Portsmouth.

"We begin by singing a powerful Nigerian Yoruba song calling to our ancestor across the river of death and dancing before the council of elders. It's just gorgeous!" exclaims Director Joanne Connolly, "and fills the large space with powerful sound! From there we celebrate by singing gratefulness for water with a song from Kenya, other songs from the Cherokee Nation, the well-known 'Down to the River to Pray' made popular by the movie 'O Brother, Where Art Thou,' a beautiful song of the ocean based on Pachelbel's Canon, a gorgeous chant with lyrics from an R.M. Rilke poem, a very bluesy piece that tells us that 'love is the water that wears down the rock' from Brother Sun, and more and more, ending with a really great arrangement of 'Take Me to the Water' arranged by Rollo Dilworth and accompanied by Berklee jazz pianist, Matt Jenson. Randy Armstrong and Drumamma, Cheryl Booth, Jeanne Russell and Nancy Hotchkiss will join Voices with African drumming!"

Water is the theme, and upbeat and gorgeous are the rhythms and harmonies of "Take Me to the Water! Set My Spirit Free!" Tickets are sure to sell out and are available now at Serendipity, 41 Pleasant Street in downtown Portsmouth or online at voicesfromtheheart.org for the 4:00 and 7:30 shows, $10 in advance, and $12 at the door.