The IU Soul Revue will perform its annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. April 26 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Presented by the African American Arts Institute, the concert will feature funk, soul and R&B music to celebrate the institute’s 50th anniversary.
The IU Soul Revue, formed in 1971, is America’s first collegiate Black popular music ensemble. The Soul Revue is directed by IU professor alumnus James Strong, who has been the director since 2017.
Strong was a member of the IU Soul Revue in the 1980s and said the ensemble was instrumental to his decision to make entertainment a career. He credited the Soul Revue with providing him the experience and confidence to pursue entertainment for a living.
“Soul Revue has always been one of the most diverse ensembles or programs on campus, it always has been that way,” Strong said. “That’s one of the most precious parts about IU Soul Revue is that you look at the makeup of it and you see America.”
Strong said audience members can expect everything that the Soul Revue is known for at the annual spring concert.
“Excitement, personality, charisma, entertainment,” Strong said. “Great dancing, great singing, beautiful costumes, awesome lighting, great songs.”
IU senior Caroline Diskin is a vocalist in the IU Soul Revue and joined her sophomore year. Diskin said the spring concert is very exciting for her because it is the final show of the semester, so the group had put all of its best work into it.
“It’s the longest show that we do, so we get to add more songs than our previous shows and better transitions and costume changes,” Diskin said. “It’s really a big deal for all of us, and we’ll also have a little senior send off at the end.”
Although the senior send off is bittersweet for Diskin, she said she is most looking forward to it.
“It’s probably going to be pretty emotional, and I’m just looking forward to that moment,” she said. “It’s kind of a slower, sweet song.”
For Diskin, the IU Soul Revue is her favorite aspect of IU. After graduation, Diskin will continue her singing career with the Bluewater Kings Band in Chicago.
“It’s given me the most purpose and I’ve learned the most, it’s challenged me the most, and it keeps me busy,” she said. “I feel like I’m learning every day and challenging myself every day.”
Spring concert tickets are available for purchase at Opendate. General admission tickets are $24. Student tickets are $14 with a student ID. Auditions to join the IU Soul Revue for next semester are from 7-9 p.m. April 29 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The audition registration is available on the African American Arts Insitute website.