Musical ‘Soul in the City’ explores Edmonton’s Black history

It’s a look astatine however Black Edmontonians archetypal came to the metropolis and however the assemblage has changed implicit time.

That past is what Darren W. Jordan, manager of the musical, Soul successful the City, wants to stock with the public.

“It fundamentally chronicles the communicative of however Black radical really ended up successful Edmonton,” Jordan said.

The philharmonic combines song, poesy and abbreviated enactment plays to analyse the past of the accomplishment of Black Edmontonians successful the aboriginal 1900s.

“A batch of Black radical ended up successful Alberta … due to the fact that determination was an invitation from Alberta for radical to travel up and homestead,” Jordan said.

“A batch of radical were leaving the troubles and stresses they were having successful mediate America, Oklahoma, places similar that, trying to flight Jim Crow laws.”

It besides includes newer influences from those inactive arriving successful Edmonton.

“It’s radical from the Caribbean, from Europe, the continent of Africa and each implicit the satellite that person travel and recovered this metropolis to beryllium home,” Jordan said.

That accumulation includes vocalist Riwo Egor, who moved from Nigeria to Edmonton astir a decennary ago.

She says Soul successful the City is much than a musical. It’s besides an acquisition acquisition for her.

“Being present and learning what the past is and what it means to a batch of Black Canadians, it’s been truly eye-opening,” Egor said.

It’s this past that performers anticipation radical volition research this Black History Month.

“It’s bully to beryllium alert of immoderate of the large things Black radical are doing successful the city, country, satellite and we get to observe it,” said vocalist Nigel Williams.

The City of Edmonton has a database of Black History Month events connected its website.

They see a gospel concert, movie screenings and creation shows.