Baritone James Dargan to perform 'Oh Glory!' recital Feb. 27 at Elgin church

First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St. in Elgin, will host "Oh Glory!," a vocal recital featuring baritone James Dargan and pianist Mark Whitlock, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27.

"O Glory" grew out of a desire to celebrate African American musical history, and it has turned into what Dargan describes as a public service mission.

He uses the core repertoire of five great black musicians (Paul Robeson, Roland Hayes, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Robert McFerrin Sr.) to invoke their spirit, honor their accomplishments, and inspire you to carry on in their footsteps, fighting for social justice and equality.

Nina Simone once said that "Freedom is the absence of fear." By taking the audience on a musical journey through the struggles of these musicians and their strength in overcoming them, the church hopes you are inspired to do likewise and be unstoppable in the pursuit of freedom for all.

This program has strong links to the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as Me Too, and Dargan's hope is that "Oh, Glory!" audiences leave the program with refreshed hope and renewed strength for caring for each other.

James Dargan is a creative artist, athlete, polyglot, musician and writer raised in the Deep South and - after a childhood spent at the Duke University String School and NC School of the Arts - educated in New and Old England.

Follow Dargan at www.facebook.com/blassikal/. He will be accompanied by Mark Whitlock.

Tickets are $20 at the door, with children admitted for free. The church's music program receives half the proceeds.

Visit www.fcc-elgin.org or call the church office at (847) 741-4045. Follow the church on Facebook.