St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland announces the School’s 18th Annual African American Cultural Celebration as part of the school’s observance of Black History Month. The evening will include St. Paul’s three choirs, 7th graders on African drums, and instrumentalists, as well as special guests local rapper Sokrates the Virgo and dancer Manuel Suarez.

The performance will include jazz and blues, freedom songs from the Civil Rights Movement, African music, spirituals, and hip hop dancing. The school band’s portion will feature a tribute to music from New Orleans, including “St. James Infirmary” and “House of the Rising Sun.” The students will also be performing a tribute to Rosa Parks.

The concert will take place on Thursday, February 16, 2005 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison Street (the corner of Harrison and 27th Streets). The Celebration is free of charge, and the public is invited.