The Big Event: Soul Rebels Brass Band

Soul Rebels Brass Band — New Orleans’ musicians who blend the sounds of Mardi Gras funk, soft rock and reggae for a sound that’s all their own — are coming to Kalamazoo to help celebrate the Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative’s sixth anniversary.

The band will be making a stop in Kalamazoo for one day, Sept. 1, as part of a tour that will take it to Detroit and Chicago. Michelle Johnson, of Fire, says she invited the group to appear after hearing them at the New Orleans Jazz Festival and being wowed by their sound.

The group will not only entertain, but it will be part of a discussion on the role of arts in revitalizing a community. “In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, we have a lot to learn from the folks of New Orleans,” Johnson says.

The organization hopes the afternoon session will become part of a discussion on the role of artists in the community, Johnson says. “These days, people have to be creative to make it in this world.” She cites recent media reports on people who have shifted from traditional work methods to following their passion.

Artists can learn from one another and build upon what other organizations are doing in different cities, she says. “We still believe the nation’s artists and creative people can lead our economic development,” Johnson says.

The discussion will be at 5 p.m. at Fire, 1249 Portage Road, and the evening performance will be at 7 p.m. at the Rose Street Market, 303 N. Rose. The discussion is free. Ticket information on the performance can be found on the Fire website.

Fire is a nonprofit social justice organization that designs youth development programming to help youth and young adults cultivate the leadership, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-esteem necessary to lead positive and productive lives.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Michelle Johnson, Fire