Cal Performances | World Stage | Sweet Honey in the Rock

Patron Information | Artists links

Sweet Honey in the Rock

Longtime Cal Performances favorites (their concerts routinely sell out well in advance), the seven women of Sweet Honey in the Rock celebrate the sacred music of the African American church—spirituals, hymns, gospel—as well as jazz, rap, reggae, doo-wop, and blues. It's an experience like no other when these powerful voices combine to create a blend of lyrics, movement, and narrative that challenges injustice, encourages activism, and honors love. The singers, whose words are simultaneously interpreted in uniquely expressive American Sign Language, have inspired audiences for more than 30 years with their righteous call for a more just and humane world.

Program Notes
Program notes are available approximately one week before the performance.

Audio Clips
( Real One Player or Windows Media Player)

Gray Goose *, **

Still Gotta Get Up In The Morning *, ***

Trust *

* Clips listed here are representative of the artists, but may be different than what are being played as part of the Cal Performances program
** 1989 Grammy Award winner for Best Traditional Folk Recording
*** From the 2001 Grammy Award-nominated Best Musical Album For Children Still The Same Me

Podcast
Carol Maillard, one of the original and current members of Sweet Honey in the Rock, talks about the ensemble and her life within the group. (Length: 15:00)

Education/Community Events
Film: Raise Your Voice: Sweet Honey in the Rock
Thu, Apr 26, 6 pm, Pacific Film Archive
General Admission, free and open to the public
Sweet Honey In The Rock's 30th anniversary year (2003) is the subject of a documentary by independent filmmaker and MacArthur fellow, Stanley Nelson. The film chronicles the history of the group with concert footage, interviews and photographs, offering an inside picture of the hard work that goes into honing Sweet Honey's distinctive sound. This film was originally aired as part of the American Masters series on public television.
Symposium: Music and Message, UC Berkeley Scholars in Dialogue with Sweet Honey In The Rock
Fri, Apr 27, 2-4 pm, Hertz Hall
General Admission, free and open to the public
With members of Sweet Honey in the Rock, this forum will explore the pivotal role of music in the Civil Rights Movement and social activism today. The music will illuminate presentations by UC Berkeley scholars Waldo Martin (History), Ula Yvette Taylor and Leigh Raiford (African American Studies) will provide a cultural and historical framework for the discussion to follow, moderated by Margaret Russell, Santa Clara University School of Law. Organized in cooperation with the Department of Music.
Flyer (PDF)