Spreading the "Gospel Extravaganza"

Austin Community College's Eastview Campus celebrated Black History Month with their seventh annual Gospel Extravaganza on Feb. 17. This annual celebration and showcase of local gospel talent began when the campus opened in 1999.

"ACC does more than books," ACC Campus Police Sgt. Donald Seamster said of the event. "This is a community outreach program." Seamster is on the Northridge Campus Police and has been with the Gospel Extravaganza since its inception. He's a chaplain and a Boy Scout scoutmaster.

Vocalist Otha McClinton opened the event with the Black National Anthem.

"Sing a song full of the faith that dark past has taught us," McClinton sang. "Sing a song full of the hope that the present has taught us."

The song lyrics were printed on flyers and audience members rose to their feet to join McClinton in the anthem.

"We're here to celebrate what's been given to us and what our ancestors have done for us," said Bernice Seamster, the event's Mistress of Ceremonies. "Remember to keep moving forward through actions and movements," she said.

Saxophone player Russell Grant of Gonzales joked, "We drove 70 miles to get here and didn't want to disappoint."

Grant opened the musical portion of the program. He played three songs on the saxophone. His son, O.S. Grant, played next. Other acts included Ella Nation, The New Revelations, and Mr. Q among many. Bernice Seamster also sang with a voice that was beautiful, spirited, and passionate.

Donald Seamster gave a spoken-word performance of "A Stroll Down Memory Lane," with his wife Bernice, who sang at the appropriate times. The speech talked of the many ways in which music was a part of slave life.

As slaves, blacks were not allowed to speak in their native tongue when brought to America. They could not gather in groups without a white man present. As a result, slaves would gather in secret to worship. They would use wet blankets to cover windows and doors to stifle noise of their singing. The song, "Steal Away" was their code. When they heard that song, they knew to gather.

The next day, maids in the main house were expected to listen closely and see if anyone had heard anything. They lived in fear of being caught. If all was clear, she would sing "I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray."

When Harriet Tubman, a freed slave, used the Underground Railroad to free others, news of her arrival would be met with "Swing Low, Sweet Harriet." The white men would assume the blacks didn't know the words, but it was another code.

Seamster spoke of how the Emancipation Proclamation did not free all slaves, and that the struggle for equality continues even today. He finished with the reminder that gospel, rap and blues are all from Africa.

The ceremony closed with a rendition of "Amazing Grace." Those in attendance were sent home with food, drink and a call to action.

"Spread the word about this event," Bernice Seamster said. "We need to invite more people with our mouths. A lot of people don't know about us."