Baritone James Dargan to present 'Oh, Glory! Black History Matters' concert Feb. 25

First Congregational Church of Geneva, 327 Hamilton, will present "Oh, Glory! Black History Matters" recital with baritone James Dargan at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25. A freewill donation of $20 is suggested.

"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 to be 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 leaves 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.

For information, visit www.genevaucc.org.