Did you want to go to the Robeson in Peekskill Gala Fundraiser on Thursday, September 12, at the Hollow Brook Golf Club but couldn’t because it was sold out? Do not fret, do not worry, you still have the opportunity to be a part of the 75th anniversary of the Peekskill Riots and celebrate the legacy of Paul Robeson. On Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, the Living Artist Society will present a Community Concert entitled “Here I Stand” as part of the Robeson in Peekskill Project hosted by Aaron Mair and featuring Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone Mark S. Doss, alongside principal members of Pegasus: The Orchestra. In addition, the Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, Paul Robeson’s grand-nephew, will be the guest of honor at the Community Concert.
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Grammy Award winning bass-baritone Mark S. Doss leads us through Robeson’s legacy in a narrated showcase of the wide range of spirituals, folk songs, and classical masterpieces linked to Robeson’s rise to stardom.
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Aaron Mair, Environmental Justice pioneer, will host the performance providing the historical backdrop with eyewitness accounts and other personal stories.
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Principals of Pegasus: The Orchestra will accompany Mr. Doss led by artistic director Karen Hakobyan. The group’s mission is to empower rising musicians with artistic freedom and promote innovative repertoire.
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Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, grand-nephew of Paul Robeson
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The Robeson in Peekskill Project will consist of one performance and two events hosted by Aaron Mair to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Peekskill Riots and celebrate the resilience, history, and Paul Robeson’s enduring impact on civil rights and music. Attendees will be transported through history with a performance by Grammy Award-winner Mark S. Doss, and Pegasus: The Orchestra, where they will bring Robeson’s legendary story to life through evocative folk songs, moving spirituals, and classical masterpieces enhanced by powerful spoken word and stunning visuals. There will also be an opportunity to explore a compelling photo exhibition that brings to life the significant events of Peekskill and Cortlandt Manor from 75 years ago and enjoy a meet and greet with the talented artists for a truly memorable experience. Proceeds from the Fundraising Gala will be used to establish the Robeson in Peekskill Foundation, which will promote positive change in our communities through the work of artists. For more information about the events and to purchase your tickets, please visit Robeson-in-Peekskill.org.
Paul Robeson was one of the most beloved artists of the 20th century and a figure of international importance in civil rights history. In 1949, Robeson came to sing for peace at an outdoor concert just outside Peekskill to benefit the Harlem chapter of the Civil Rights Congress. The location was on the site of a former drive-in movie theater and where the present day circle where Oregon Road, Westbrook Drive, and Red Mill Road intersect and the land to the west where the current Hollowbrook County Club is. Despite the threat of violence, Robeson and some 20,000 concert goers showed up in solidarity.
The aftermath of this concert would go down in history as the Peekskill Riots, a pivotal moment in our history, where violence was ignited by racism, antisemitism, and a deeply rooted distrust, leaving hundreds of people seriously injured, and setting the stage for what would become the civil rights movement.
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Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, Paul Robeson’s grand-nephew, will be the guest of honor at both the Gala event and the Paramount Hudson Valley Community Concert. Dr. Smith has dedicated his life to service, much like the rest of the Robeson family. Notably, he presided over the U.S. African Development Foundation during the historic first vote in South Africa. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Hope A.M.E. Zion Church, the oldest African American congregation in Westchester County.
“We are honored and grateful that a prominent member of the Robeson family will join us in this endeavor,” said Wendy Talio, Founder of the Living Artist Society and Event Chair. “The Peekskill Riots were a momentous event that shook the nation and are seen as an important milestone in the American Civil Rights movement. The hope is that these events will foster a deeper appreciation of the historic significance of this event and Robeson’s impact on the American Civil Rights Movement.”
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