August 12 C’ville Sing Out! gaining singers, sponsors, donations

With close to 200 registered and more signing up each day, The C’ville Sing Out! on Sunday, August 12, is building strong momentum, media coverage and national response.

Terry Allard will lead the singing of Leonard Cohen’s HALLELUJAH. Reverend Almeta Ingram-Miller, the leader of the Legendary Ingramettes, Richmond’s first family of gospel music, will lead John Legend’s GLORY. Leading CHARLOTTESVILLE, a song written in the 1980s by the late Evelyn Carter, a legendary member of the local African American community, will be distinguished soloist James Bryant.

What happened in Charlottesville last August was not just a local tragedy. It deeply affected people across the country who see the Sing Out! as the right kind of positive action for these difficult times.

“We’ve received donations from places as far afield as North Carolina and Maine,” says co-organizer Elly Tucker. “A businessman in Denver heard about us on his local NBC affiliate and was so heartened Charlottesville was doing something like this, he volunteered to reach out to church organizations around the country.”

Over 30 sponsors include the Quaker Meeting House, C’ville Coffee & Wine, The Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice, The Childrens’ Choir of Central Virginia and the NBNA (National Black Nurses Association). Trader Joe’s is donating water bottles for all participants.

At a July 12 Community Briefing at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church, its pastor, the Rev. Dr. Alvin Edwards, announced: “If you like to sing, want to have some fun and participate by singing some music that makes a difference in the lives of the people, come join us!”

After the 2 pm rehearsal at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church in Belmont, singers will process on a short march across the street into Ix Art Park singing I’D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING and will perform at 4 pm.

At the end of the one-hour performance, the choir will march out singing, WE ARE THE WORLD, as a parade of the Flags of Nations, with flags provided by Covenant Church.

To find out more, register to sing, donate or become a supporter, visit www.CvilleSingOut.org or email [email protected].