The Performing Arts Series in the School of the Arts at the University of Nevada, Reno welcomes Sweet Honey In The Rock® to Reno for a three-day residency that includes workshops, events and a closing public performance. On Thursday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m., the three-time Grammy Award-nominated a cappella ensemble will empower and inspire audiences of all ages during their performance in Nightingale Concert Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Kinetic, cultured and connected, Sweet Honey In The Rock has created a meaningful legacy through their diverse collection of socially-conscious music with a message.

Sweet Honey’s performance will celebrate the intersection of music, African American history and culture, social justice and exceptional artistry. Members Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil and Rochelle Rice will perform with bassist Romeir Mendez and Barbara Hunt who will eloquently and enthusiastically interpret the entire performance through American Sign Language, ensuring it is accessible and enjoyable to all audience members.

“We are thrilled to host Sweet Honey In The Rock® for a series of activities that will reach audiences of all ages,” says Shoshana Zeldner, program manager for the Performing Arts Series. “Sweet Honey’s impact in our community will be profound — between working with University voice and music students, visiting with families through the Washoe County Library System and speaking with ACLU Nevada. And of course, their performance on March 10 will be a must-see event.”

In addition to their public performance on March 10, Sweet Honey will be participating in a series of free community events during their visit.

On Tuesday, March 8, Sweet Honey will speak with University music students about arts and activism from 12 - 12:45 p.m. This event will be livestreamed and available for free for public viewing. Later in the day, they will facilitate a workshop with University voice students.

On Wednesday, March 9, ACLU Nevada will interview Sweet Honey members during a livestreamed event from 10 - 11 a.m. This thought-provoking conversation will be led by Lily Baran, musician, singer, activist and program assistant with ACLU Nevada. This free livestream is co-sponsored by ACLU Nevada, KWNK Radio and Laughing Planet. Watch live on Facebook or listen live on 97.7FM in Reno or on KWNK online.

Continuing on Wednesday, from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., the group’s core members — Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel and Aisha Kahlil — will tell us all about Sweet Honey, how it’s shaped their lives and how music can positively transform community during a free livestream co-sponsored by the Washoe County Library System. They will even mesmerize us with a song or two. To watch live, visit the Washoe County Library System's Facebook page.

In 1973, the original members drew the band’s name from the first song they chose to perform together, “Sweet Honey In The Rock,” which refers to a biblical passage that speaks of a land so rich that honey flows when rocks are broken. Founding member Louise Robinson explained, “And we thought it was something like us African-American women … strong like a rock, but inside [there’s] honey — sweet.”

Sweet Honey has performed at every conceivable major world stage, on international U.S. embassy tours, before Former President and Mrs. Obama at The White House and at the National Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The band has twice been the subject of PBS televised programs; symphonies, orchestras and even the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company commissioned the group for original compositions and scores. It seems the group has won every honor and distinction possible.

Tickets for Thursday’s performance are available on the Performing Arts Series website, by phone through Lawlor Events Center (775) 784-4444 or in-person at the Lawlor Events Center Box Office (10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, 1500 N. Virginia St. Reno, lower-level entrance).

Tickets are $31 - $36 (Adult), $16 (Youth) and $5 (University of Nevada, Reno students). University student tickets must be purchased in-person at the Lawlor Events Center or at the box office the night of the show (at the event venue, opens one hour before the performance).

The Performing Arts Series concludes its 61st anniversary season on April 28, 2022 with phenom vocalist Michael Mayo performing alongside the University of Nevada, Reno’s jazz faculty ensemble.