Sounds Of Soul At The Winter Park Playhouse

by Rick · June 8, 2023

Barbara Chandler
Photo courtesy of Winter Park Playhouse

In honor of June as Black Music Month and as a pre-Juneteenth celebration, The Winter Park Playhouse has teamed up with Barbara Chandler Productions to present Sounds Of Soul – an evening of storytelling through spirituals, drumming, dance, and spoken word. This one night event will take place at The Winter Park Playhouse in the lobby bar/cabaret space on Thursday, June 8 at 7:30pm.

Curtis Branson will headline the event performing gospel songs, along with spoken word artist Jason “Tie” Davis, and the extraordinary talents of Ajose Afrikan Drum and Dance, featuring dancer Desiree Coleman and Osabi and Oba Ogunlani on the drums.

Barbara Chandler was born in St.Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and is a long time Central Florida resident. She has worked for the last decade as the manager and cultural arts educator for The Hannibal Square Heritage Center in Winter Park, Florida where she educates visitors on the African-American community’s contributions and impact on the City of Winter Park. She is an organizer of many educational events and cultural celebrations and oversees all of the center’s operations.

Additionally, Barbara is a well-respected leader in the community (the first African-American commissioner candidate in 2019 since 1984) and is an advocate for inclusion, cultural experiences and creative expression. She has over 20 years of non-profit experience and a personality that lights up a room. Her most recent endeavor, Barbara Chandler Productions, creates performances of unique artists in cultural celebration.

“I am excited to present Sounds Of Soul – Storytelling through spirituals, drumming and spoken word – which is a musical performance inspired from the African American diaspora. Gospel is sung as a way to uplift the spirit and activate faith. Drumming along with chants and dancing are ways to communicate. Storytelling is an oral tradition used to preserve history, educate, and instill values and morals in Black communities,” said Chandler.

Sounds of Soul is Thursday June 8, 2023, at 7:30pm at The Winter Park Playhouse. General Admission tickets are $20 plus a one drink minimum. Seating is limited so advance reservations are strongly recommended. Doors open at 6:30p.m. for a 7:30p.m. show. Tickets sell out quickly so call The Winter Park Playhouse box office for tickets at 407-645-0145 or purchase online at www.winterparkplayhouse.org.