The Rev. Jean Burch from Community Bible Church of Greater Pasadena will deliver a spiritual keynote in Forest Lawn’s celebration of Black History Month. (photo courtesy of Forest Lawn)

Forest Lawn will mark Black History Month in a much-anticipated virtual celebration, “Preserving Honor & Excellence.” This performance of inspirational music, dance and readings will stream via Facebook Live at noon on Saturday, Feb. 13. The celebration honors Black culture with New Orleansstyle jazz, a tap dancing and bucket drumming performance from the Broadway musical “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk,” as well as soul and rhythm and blues vocals.

The 2021 iteration of Forest Lawn’s annual celebration brings together acclaimed Black performers. As its name suggests, Jazz Band plays a traditional New Orleansstyle jazz that transports listeners to the French Quarter’s Preservation Hall for a “second line” musical parade down Bourbon Street. The bucket drummers and tap-dancing twins featured in the special number from the award-winning Broadway musical “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk” highlight the history of Black men in America from slavery to the present. Vocals include tributes to a leader of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and the “High Priestess of Soul,” Nina Simone, and to R&B singer and songwriter Big Mama Thornton, who is credited for infusing Black cultural influence into the evolution of rock and roll.

The performance continues with three medleys set in 1920s Harlem during the great migration north. The music of legend Duke Ellington is followed by a tribute to the great Black opera stars who paved the way for Black classical musicians, with excerpts from “Porgy and Bess.” The final medley honors the music of Black Broadway, including “The Wiz” and “The Color Purple.” The celebration features Michael Ellington as emcee and spiritual keynotes by the Rev. Jean Burch from Community Bible Church of Greater Pasadena and the Rev. Geremy Dixon from the First Church of God Center of Hope in Los Angeles.

Continuing Forest Lawn’s tradition of community support, the memorial park will award four Black History Month scholarships of $1,000 each to students Kyley Douglas, a San Diego State University freshman studying to become a filmmaker; Kayli McNeil, a psychology major and music minor at California Baptist University; Aydn Morris, a junior at St. John Bosco High School in the city of Bellflower with an interest in journalism; and Lael Williams, a senior at Marlborough School who intends to be a physician.

“In a time when our communities are isolated and struggling through one of the most challenging periods in recent history, it is ever important to come together to celebrate,” said Rodolfo Saenz, Forest Lawn’s senior vice president of marketing.

To view the event, visit facebook. com/forestlawn. For information, visit forestlawn.com.