'DRUMLine' to bring HBCU music tradition to Alexandria for two holiday performances (1099 hits)
"DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular” is bringing the dynamic, energetic style that the bands of Historically Black Colleges and Universities are known for to the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center at 6 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 10). They will also have a performance for schools at 10 a.m. on Monday (Dec. 11).
Multi-talented performers including vocalists, instrumentalists and, of course, drummers, will perform holiday favorites like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Jingle Bells,” as well as contemporary standards like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” and Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me,” said Matt Henry, executive director of the Arts Council of Central Louisiana.
“The audience is going to hear a great, very unique, really unique, version of the ‘Little Drummer Boy,'” Henry said.
Two local schools’ drumlines will perform the pre-shows for this performance. The Peabody Magnet High School Drumline will perform at Sunday’s show and the Pineville Elementary School Drumline will perform at the schools’ show on Monday.
“This is really cool because it pays tribute in a pretty unique way to the tradition of historic Black college, university drumline that we have here especially in the South,” Henry said about the show. “It’s a big production that’s toured not only all over the United States, but Korea and Japan as well.”
He thought it was a great opportunity to bring the holiday-themed production to Alexandria since everyone has seen the vibrant style of the Grambling State University band when they marched in the Alexandria Mardi Gras Krewes Parade. Or, even the engery the Peabody band brings when they perform at various events around town.
The show is produced by Don P. Roberts who was the executive band consultant for the 20th Century Fox movie “Drumline” that came out in 2002
“One of the interesting things about that about Don Roberts, is in addition to creating this show, he was a consultant for Beyoncé 's 2018 Coachella performance in California. He put together the performers behind Beyoncé,” Henry said.
Tickets are $27-$37 for Sunday’s performance and can be purchased online at louisiana-arts.org or at the door.
“We now have reserved seating so that you can choose your seats online,” said Henry, who recommends people get tickets ahead of time.
He also encourages teachers and students to come to the Monday show because it is a unique holiday program with a drumline tradition that crosses the gambit from traditional to contemporary music.
Sponsors for the show include the City of Alexandria, GAEDA and the Holiday Inn Downtown Alexandria.
For more information about this show or other upccoming performances, visit louisiana-arts.org or call (318) 484-4475.
