ARTS & CULTURE
Holiday Joy
The holidays are especially joyful at the
Woodson starting with the presence of
the many diverse members of One City
Chorus. Starting in October, organizers
Jon Atherton and James Mack, a
married couple who met through their
mutual love of and background in choral
music, hold packed house rehearsals
each Monday evening. Members sing
with purpose about freedom and
equality under the loving and humorous
guidance of conductor, Jon. As a result
of their 3-year partnership with the
Woodson, the chorus participates
in First Night on New Year’s Eve,
and performs several other shows
at the Palladium in February. (See
onecitychorus.org for more information).
52 StPeteLifeMag.com November/December 2018
The exhibit adorning the walls for
the holidays, and through January,
features the vibrant and beautiful work
of artist Kenneth Falana. This 30+
piece feast-for-the-eyes is a must-see
and the perfect accompaniment to
the highlight of the season – the Bring
on the Dolls, Balls and Books event.
Massive numbers of toys are collected,
the halls beautifully and lovingly
decked, and then it’s time to bring in the
children. They get to visit and tell their
dreams to a Santa that looks like they
do, eat delectable treats, and unwrap a
bounty they might never have known
otherwise. “Doing this and seeing their
faces means everything,” says Scott. “It
makes my year.”
Today, the Deuces and South St. Pete
are making a comeback. Places like
the Enoch Davis Center, and the James
Weldon Johnson library are central
to community life. The city manages
an African-American Heritage Trail
tour as part of its cultural outreach
programming. Artist studios with
proximity to the Warehouse Arts District,
and great restaurants like Chief’s Creole
Café and Callaloo/Pipo’s are making an
impact as well as all the small businesses
guided and promoted by associations like
Deuces Live St. Pete.
Manhattan by welcoming some pretty
famous people: St. Pete native Angela
Bassett, Rep. John Lewis, Dr. Cornell
West, Andrew Gillum, playwright Kenny
Leon, Ambassador Patty Aslop, John
Hope Franklin, and the famous folk artist
Miss Ruby C. Williams, just to name a few
have graced this place and delighted the
citizens. But one of my favorite stories is
about Duke Ellington band member and
world famous trombonist, Buster Cooper.
Born in St. Pete, Cooper never missed
a chance to entertain here long into
his retirement. Now, after his passing,
Cooper’s niece, Broadway alumni and
rising jazz vocalist, Siobhan Monique
entertains at the Woodson regularly. I just
love the symmetry of that.
The Carter G. Woodson African American
open Tuesday – Friday 12-5 Find them
on Facebook or www.woodsonmuseum.
org to learn about special events. Check
out the Beauty & The ‘Burg Podcast
featuring Terri and Siobhan on the Helium
Radio Network www.heliumradio.com
PHOTO/BARRY LIVELY
/onecitychorus.org
/StPeteLifeMag.com
/www.woodsonmuseum.org
/www.heliumradio.com