Thu 2/11 @ 7PM
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame didn’t really need to do anything special for Black History Month this year, since it already opened its ongoing exhibit It’s Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment last year. That exhibit explores how musicians have been speaking out against racial injustice and inequity for many decades. See it daily from 11am-5pm.
That alone would be worth a visit during Black History Month or really, any month. But of course they’re doing more. Throughout the month, their podcast episodes will focus on inductees such as Gladys Knight & the Pipes, Public Enemy, the Miracles and Buddy Guy, highlighting their induction speeches.
And this week, on Thursday February 11 it will be presenting an artist you probably haven’t heard of but should check out: Austin, Texas-based blues/R&B songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Jackie Venson, an up-and-comer in Austin’s fertile music scene. She attended and graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2011, where she discovered her true instrument, the guitar (previously she’d played piano) and, returning to Austin, released the first of her three studio albums in 2014. She was the first Africa-American woman to win “Best Guitarist” honors at the Austin Music Awards last year.
Venson will perform a 30-minute set, followed by an interview with Rock Hall Vice President of Education and Visitor Engagement Jason Hanley. You can watch it on the Rock Hall’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Check out the Rock Hall’s website for more Black History Month performances, interviews, discussions and book screenings on their website.