It almost sounds too good to be true: A Saturday night show — in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, no less — co-headlined by two inspiring powerhouse Black vocalists — one, the most underappreciated soul-fired indie female artist and vocalist of our time, a D.C. native to boot; the other, a British-born, Brooklyn-based artist who is one of the most eclectic and adept soul-fired females in the game. Yet that’s exactly what’s on tap next Saturday, March 11, at 8 p.m., when Alice Smith and Estelle perform at the Black Girls Rock! Concert, part of the fourth Black Girls Rock! Fest, or BGR!FEST. They’ll be joined on stage by Jade Novah, an up-and-coming singer and comedian. (3/11, Concert Hall; $59 to $139)
“BGR!FEST celebrates Black women’s creative contributions to the world and showcases the work of stellar female artists who are masters of their craft,” as Black Girls Rock! CEO and Executive Producer Beverly Bond put it in a statement last year. In a release about this year’s show, Bond says: “BGR!FEST is much more than just a weekend of revelry; it is a powerful and symbolic affirmation that underscores the pivotal role that Black women play in shaping cultural discourse. Through BGR!FEST, we pay homage to extraordinary individuals, magnify their voices, and exalt their creative expressions, ensuring that these women’s legacies continue to inspire and empower generations to come.”
The four-day festival begins with a free concert, dubbed “Rock Like A Girl,” on Thursday, March 9, at 6 p.m. featuring Kayla Ortiz, a rising R&B star, singer-songwriter, and harpist known for sweet and sultry voice. (3/9, Millennium Stage; “Currently Sold Out”) Immediately afterward, starting at 7:30 p.m., comes the Black Girls Bond Opening Party, a celebration in the REACH focused on the launch of Black Girls Bond, a digital media site geared to Black women and…
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