Brooklyn Center For The Performing Arts Presents THE CLARK SISTERS 1/23/2010

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College presents the Grammy-winning gospel group The Clark Sisters on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8pm. One of the top female gospel groups in the country, The Clark Sisters have spent the last three decades singing, preaching and pioneering contemporary gospel music all over the United States. These four talented sisters - Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell, Jacky Clark Chisholm, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark Sheard - carry on the legacy of their mother, the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, a choral director gospel legend in her own right who earned three gold records during her musical career. The group is credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream, influencing countless artists in the fields of gospel, pop, R&B, jazz and hip hop.

Born and raised in Detroit, they began performing together (along with fifth sister Denise) in church services, usually singing songs written and arranged by their mother. They recorded their fist album, Jesus Has A Lot To Give, in 1973. After signing with Sound to Gospel Records, they released such albums as Unworthy, Count It All Joy, and He Gave Me Nothing to Lose. Their popularity soared with the release of the live recording Is My Living In Vain, which topped the Billboard gospel charts for more than a year and yielded hits including the title track and "Expect Your Miracle."

Their next release, You Brought the Sunshine, became a hit not only in church houses, but in dance clubs including New York's Studio 54. In 1983, the song peaked at #16 on the Black Singles chart, #27 on the Club Play chart, and #80 on the Hot R&B chart, driving the album to Gold sales. Shortly after this, sister Denise left the group to become a minister and start a family. The sisters would continue as a foursome and also pursue individual careers for several years, reuniting in 2007 to record Live... One Last Time. This album garnered the group three 2008 Grammy Awards, including Best Traditional Gospel Album, Best Gospel Performance for the single "Blessed and Highly Favored," and Best Gospel song ("Blessed and Highly Favored, Karen Clark Sheard, songwriter). With a discography of over 15 albums and multiple Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Awards, they are one of the largest selling female gospel groups of all time.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2009-2010 Headliners Series is sponsored by Con Edison.

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Brooklyn Center's presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400 seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving schoolchildren from over 225 schools annually with its SchoolTime series.

The Clark Sisters at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre on the campus of Brooklyn College
2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn
(2 train to Brooklyn College/Flatbush Avenue)
Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8pm
Tickets: $40/$30

Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org
Box Office: (718) 951-4500, Tuesday - Saturday, 1PM - 6PM
Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600, ext. 33
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BrooklynCenterforthePerformingArts

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' programs are made possible in part with public funding from the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for the 2009-2010 season is provided by: Target; JP Morgan Chase; Brooklyn Community Foundation; National Grid; TD Bank; Macy's; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; Air Jamaica; the Carnegie Corporation of New York; and the Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund, established in the New York Community Trust by founders of The Reader's Digest Association. Additional support provided by CNG Publications, The Brooklyn Eagle, and WBGO. Marriott New York LaGuardia Airport is the official hotel of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts 2009-2010 season. Backstage catering is graciously provided by Bettina Harris of The Corn Bread Diner and by Applebee's.

Brooklyn Center acknowledges the support of Assemblymembers Karim Camara, Steven H. Cymbrowitz, Rhoda Jacobs, Alan Maisel, Joan L. Millman, N. Nick Perry, Annette Robinson, and Helene E. Weinstein, members of the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York State Assembly, and New York State Senators Martine Malavé Dilan, Kevin S. Parker, and John L. Sampson. Special thanks to Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Councilman Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. Councilmembers Kendall B. Stewart and Albert Vann, and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin.

 

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