Artists, friends and family of Odetta, a singer of folk, blues, jazz and spirituals, whose powerful, deep voice helped spark the flames of social justice and freedom during the height of the civil rights movement, will celebrate her life and career in words and song on Feb. 24 at New York’s Riverside Church.

Artists who knew and worked with Odetta will gather at 7 p.m. at the church, located at 490 Riverside Drive (at 121st Street) in Manhattan, to share songs and words of remembrance. Video highlights of the life of the transformational musical artist, who helped keep the light of folk music burning brightly for more than half a century, before succumbing to heart disease on Dec. 2, less than a month short of her 78th birthday, also will be screened. Among those expected to participate in the memorial celebration are David Amram, Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Oscar Brand, Tom Chapin, Guy Davis, Ruby Dee, Emory Joseph, Wavy Gravy, Geoffrey Holder, The Holmes Brothers, Marie Knight, Maria Muldaur, Bernice Reagon, Sonia Sanchez, Pete Seeger, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Josh White, Jr. and Peter Yarrow. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the free event that is open to the public.

More information on Odetta appears in the article “Odetta, 1930-2008, The Spark Goes Out,” that was posted on the Home Page and in the News – U.S. National section last December 3.