SAM is beginning to bring our members together for virtual events throughout the year, with a series of Interest Group Spotlights that are free and open to the public. The Gospel and Sacred Music interest group is kicking off this series with a spotlight and video listening lounge event for Flaming?: The Peculiar Theopolitics of Fire and Desire in Black Male Gospel Performance (OUP) by Dr. Alisha Lola Jones.

The featured guest will be Dr. Jones, Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology, Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, Indiana University. In addition to speaking with Dr. Jones about her new book, which explores Black men and masculinity in sacred spaces across several musical genres (i.e., gospel go-go, praise and worship, contemporary gospel, and hymnody), the session will also feature a video listening lounge with Dr. Jones and Gospel and Sacred Music IG members.