The Lincoln Cultural Center hosted the Music Maker Foundation Blues Concert with Cool John Ferguson on Friday, February 2.

Ranked one of the top five players in the world Cool John, a native of Beaufort, S.C, combines styles of gospel, blues, funk, country, jazz, and rhythm and blues.

Most Saturday nights he plays at the All Peoples Grill in North Durham, N.C. but he can be found at other clubs in N.C., S.C. and surrounding states. Check out his website for additional playing dates: http://www.cooljohnferguson.com

Saturday night, besides the blues, Cool John and his band performed a variety of familiar songs from Chuck Berry, B.B King, and Jimi Hendrix.

The Concert was performed as part of the Black History Month Celebration at the Lincoln Cultural Center. Cathy Davis, Cultural Center Director announced to the audience, "we have tripled in attendance what we had last year at the concert."

The next event at the Cultural Center for Black History Month is a Community Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. on February 16. Also, that same night at 7 p.m. the North Carolina Touring Theatre will present "The Life and Times of Fannie Lou Hamer" in the Timken Performance Hall.

Fannie Lou Hamer was fired, beaten, jailed and shot at just because she wanted to vote. But this daughter of a Mississippi sharecropper went on to address two national Democratic conventions.

The production demonstrates the pain and oppression met by black people who challenged the system. The production features spirituals and freedom songs. Admission is $10 for Adults, $8 for Seniors and Students. For more information call (704) 732-9055.