WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2022 UCW 17
Book Black Women, LLC will be
hosting a night of performance, Feb.
13, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the SkyView
on Hay in downtown Fayetteville.
e concert-like event will fea-
ture four local female Black singers.
Refreshments will be served by Chef
Judy from Uptown.
"I created this entity [Book Black
Women] because I wanted to pro-
vide performance opportunities for
Black women. With colorism being
loud and silent all at once, it can
sometimes be hard for Black women
to get the shots they deserve," said
Ayana Washington, founder and
CEO of Book Black Women, LLC.
Washington came up with the idea
of holding a concert in the spirit of
Nina Simone's "Four Women."
"Nina Simone knew the Black
woman is not a monolith. She used
that song to speak to that, and I hope
to do the same," said Washington.
Washington will perform in the
Feb. 13 show herself, reprising
Simone's famous song during her
time in the spotlight. Washington
was born in Fayetteville and has
performed with Cape Fear Regional
eatre. She last appeared on the
CFRT stage as the Dragon in Shrek,
the Musical.
Also performing will be North
Carolina native Desiree Tolodziecki.
Tolodziecki has also previously
worked with CFRT and is currently
pursuing a career in New York. Ash-
ley Jones, a Fayetteville native who
works in law enforcement, will also
be taking the stage.
A fourth singer is in the works to
round out the quartet.
"ese ladies will sing songs that
mean something to them and hope-
fully capture the attention of people
in the audience who would like to
book them for other events!" said
Washington.
"I am excited to watch these
ladies perform and tell their stories
through song. It's rare we get the
chance to be 'unapologetically Black
and female' and show people that
that phrase has a range you wouldn't
believe!"
Four Women is the first event
planned by Book Black Women,
LLC. Washington says she plans
to stay busy and has several other
events planned for the year. Poten-
tial performers and sponsors can
contact her at bookblackwomen.
nc@gmail.com. Performers don't
have to be singers, according to
Washington.
ose interested in attending can
find information and tickets for Four
Women at visitdowntownfayette-
ville.com/events/four-women-pre-
sented-by-book-black-women-llc/.
Tickets range from $55 to $75.
Select tickets will have access to
an open bar. Attendees can take
photos in a 360 photo booth, and
tickets include a swag bag. e
event is formal, with black tie attire
requested.
EVENTS
Book Black Women hosts black
tie affair, performance
by ALYSON HANSEN
ALYSON HANSEN, Staff Writer.
COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom-
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