Rock! Rosetta, Rock! A Musical Journey

This interactive youth program introduces participants to the life and musical legacy of Sister Rosetta Tharpe through storytelling, music, and hands-on creativity. Featuring a live, engaging read-aloud and storytelling session by Desirée Roots, youth will explore Tharpe’s influence on gospel, blues, and early rock music. Participants will take part in rhythm-based activities using clapping, percussion, and call-and-response techniques, followed by a collaborative “Mini Rock Star Showcase” where they create and perform their own rhythms and chants. The program concludes with a creative craft activity, where youth design their own cardboard guitars, reinforcing themes of musical expression and innovation.