Celebrate Black History Month with concert

The sounds made by the KCR Ensemble reverberated through Bridget Johnson's memory for years.

When it came time to plan an event in honor of Black History Month at the Fox Valley Park District, where Johnson serves as cultural outreach coordinator, the band was a natural choice.

"We have celebrated Black History Month before," Johnson said. "This year, the park district wanted to take more of a musical light."

KCR Ensemble, a name that stands for Kindness, Charity and Respect, is a nine-piece, all-ladies jazz, blues and contemporary music group from Chicago. The act features vocals, four horns -- trombone, trumpet, alto and tenor sax -- and a rhythm section that includes piano, guitar, bass, congas and drums.

"They sound phenomenal," Johnson said. "The music is very energizing. It's very uplifting."

The band, featuring Rita Hassell, who co-founded the band with the late Charlotte Evelyn Jones in 2000, will headline an evening of free entertainment Friday at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora.

KCR Ensemble was awarded the African American Arts Alliance Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Music in October. The band won WVON radio's Kwanzaa Award for Creativity in 2006.

Also performing will be the Singsation choir from East Aurora High School, a choir from West Aurora High School, a mime-theater troupe from Main Baptist Church in Aurora and the Praise Dancers from Gayles Memorial Baptist Church, Johnson said.

The evening will include dinner and the announcement of winners of the Prisco Center's monthlong art contest.

"Seating is limited, so people need to reserve seats in advance," Johnson said. "We have tickets for 200 available."

If you go

What: Black History Month Celebration, sponsored by Fox Valley Park District

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora

Admission: Free; registration required

Info: (630) 859-8606, ext. 1516, or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org