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Shepfest set to feature alumna

By Staff | Apr 15, 2011

(Submitted photo) Grammy-nominated artist and Shepherd alumna Carolyn Malachi is set to perform Sunday.

The will hold its annual spring Shepfest concert from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday on the East Campus Midway on King Street by Ram Stadium.

The Program Board is excited to announce that Shepfest 2011 will feature the amazing hip-hop group Black Violin as well as Grammy-nominated artist and Shepherd alumna Carolyn Malachi.

To most people, jazz, hip-hop, funk and classical are musical genres. To Black Violin, they’re nothing but ingredients. They have performed with musicians as diverse as P.Diddy, Kanye West, Fifty Cent, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Aretha Franklin and the Eagles. This will mark Black Violin’s second visit to Shepherd following a sold-out performance at the Frank Center Theater in August.

Shepfest will mark a triumphant homecoming for 2011 Grammy-nominee Carolyn Malachi who is 2006 alumnus of Shepherd University. A Washington, D.C., native and great grandaughter of legendary jazz pianist John Malachi, she was born from musical roots but did not grow into her talent until 2005, when she was a junior at Shepherd.

Malachi’s first two albums were a rallying call for women’s empowerment and creativity: “Revenge of the Smart Chicks” and “Revenge of the Smart Chicks II.” After the release of her first album, Malachi founded Smart Chicks Inc. and its flourishing Smart Chicks Network which aims to develop visibility and leadership opportunities for women in the arts. Malachi’s sound is a genre-bending blend of jazz, pop, R&B, and spoken word.

Her 2010 release of the “Lions, Fires & Squares” EP is composed of songs regarding relationships, love and strength which bear influence of her recent tours in South Africa. The single “Orion” from the “Lions, Fires, & Squares” EP earned Carolyn a 2011 Grammy Nomination for Best Urban Alternative Performance.

The show will also feature two student bands who won coveted spots on the Shepfest roster at the Battle for Shepfest in February: Perpetual Wetness and Man the Harpoons. WSHC DJs and award-winning hip-hop artists Southernboi Entertainment will MC the event.

Shepfest will also feature carnival amusements including a Rock Climbing Wall, inflatable novelties, photos by Rockstar Pictures, HIV prevention information and more. PEPSI will offer a sampling of free beverages and free ice cream and corn dogs will also be available.

Tickets are required for this year’s Shepfest event and are available now available through the Shepherd University Bookstore.

Currently enrolled Shepherd students may pick up one student ticket and one additional guest ticket for free in advance. A limited number of $20 public tickets are also available at the Shepherd University Bookstore on the ground level of the Student Center through 4 p.m. on today, April 15.

Gates open and novelties begin at 1:30 p.m. Live music kicks off at 2 p.m. Malachi is scheduled to perform at 4 and Black Violin at 5 p.m.

Shepfest is an alcohol and drug-free event. For more information, visit www.shepherd.edu/pbweb/shepfest, email rmeads@shepherd.edu, or contact the Bookstore at 304-876-5219.