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Event Description

VOC Soul Gospel Choir - Black History Month 2009

The goal of the Vancouver Outreach Community (VOC) Soul Gospel Choir is to unite people of different cultures and beliefs to deliver an inspirational musical message of Love, Joy, Peace, Hope and Healing. A great way to celebrate Black History Month, the 130-member choir, featuring men and women of all ages, ethnicities and religions performs on Sunday, February 22nd, 1:30 pm at the Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam).

Led by music director Checo Tohomaso, the high-energy concert will merge the melodies of soul, gospel, R&B, jazz, Hawaiian, calypso and reggae into a soulful performance of favorites. Admission is at the door starting at 1:00 pm.

For further information go to www.VOCSoulGospelChoir.com or email us at info@VOCSoulGospelChoir.com

Black History in British Columbia
In 1858, nearly 800 free Black people left the oppressive racial conditions of San Francisco for a new life on Vancouver Island. Governor James Douglas had invited them to settle in British Columbia. Though still faced with intense discrimination, these pioneers enriched the political, religious and economic life of the colony. For example, Mifflin Gibbs became a prominent politician, Charles and Nancy Alexander initiated the Shady Creek Methodist Church, and John Deas established a salmon cannery. The group also formed one of the earliest colonial militia units, the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. A ceremony took place on February 20, 2000 in Saanichton, B.C. to honour the arrival of the Black Pioneers to British Columbia.