Grammy-Nominated Carolina Chocolate Drops Coming to Bryant

Grammy-Nominated Carolina Chocolate Drops Coming to Bryant

Bryant University has just announced that it's bringing the Carolina Chocolate Drops, whose latest album, “Genuine Negro Jig,” is up for a Grammy award, to perform in Bryant University’s Janikies Theater, 1150 Douglas Pike, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2011, as part of the President’s Cultural Series and the University’s Black History Month schedule of events.

The Drops have been acclaimed around the world for their energetic, modern interpretations of the near-forgotten music of African-American string bands. Performing on banjo, fiddle, guitar and a variety of percussion instruments, the virtuosic trio – classically trained Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson, and singer-songwriter Dom Flemons – have played to sold-out crowds of enthusiastic fans around the world. They have also appeared at the Kennedy Center and on Prairie Home Companion, and were the first black string band to play the Grand Ole Opry. They were handpicked by Denzel Washington to be featured in his film The Great Debaters.

Rolling Stone Magazine describes the Drops’ style as “dirt-floor-dance-electricity.” NPR recently listed “Genuine Negro Jig” among the 50 best albums of 2010.

Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 per Smithfield resident if purchased in advance, $10 for Bryant alumni if purchased in advance. To reserve tickets, telephone the RSVP line at 401-531-6661.