Nolan Williams, Jr & Voices of Inspiration: Christmas Gift!
Nolan Williams, Jr.
Voices of Inspiration
Shirley Murdock
John Stoddart
Artistic Director Nolan Williams, Jr.
Pre-show activities begin at 7:45 pm.
Event Attributes
Nolan Williams, Jr. has been immersed in the sounds and rhythms of African American song throughout his life. A composer, director and the CEO of NEWorks Productions, he has collaborated with artists from Aretha Franklin to the National Symphony Orchestra and was a community partner in the Fortune’s Bones project during the 2011-2012 season.
He premieres at the Center this holiday presentation of new and time-honored Christmas music — from African American spirituals and gospel to jazz and R&B — woven together with selected readings from African-American poets like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Inspired by the groundbreaking publication, Christmas Gif’: An Anthology of Christmas Poems, Songs, and Stories, written by and about African-Americans, this is an inspiring holiday production for the entire family featuring musical performances by R&B legend Shirley Murdock, singer/songwriter John Stoddart and the Voices of Inspiration.
Join the artists for a Talk Back after the December 14 performance.
This performance is sponsored in part by the generous support of The Gazette & The Star.
Nolan Williams, Jr. and the Voices of Inspiration visit the FOX 5 Morning News
Review by DC Metro Theater Arts
From the moment the concert begins, the melodic singing of the Voices of Inspiration, with Guest Soloists Shirley Murdock, John Stoddart, and Mr. Williams filled the space evoking long ago memories of our own childhood.
– Audrey Thornton, DC Metro Theatre Arts, December 15, 2012
Review by The Washington Informer
The music, fused with spoken-word poetry written by W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes and other accomplished African-American poets, coalesced to provide a memorable evening.
– Elton Hayes, The Washington Informer, December 19, 2012
Nolan Williams, Jr. talks with Gailyn Gwin from Prince George's TV
Promotional video
Key source material for Christmas Gift
- Christmas Gif':An Anthology of Christmas Poems, Songs, and Stories compiled by Charlemae Rollins