BAG II to cease operations at end of 2008

BAG II, which attempted to revive the spirit of St. Louis' storied Black Artists Group, will be ceasing operations at the end of 2008. Here's the announcement sent out by Zimbabwe Nkenya, bassist/composer and one of the prime movers of BAG II:

"Thank you for your support for and interest in “the new” BAG II.

For the past year and a half we have offered free public events at Scott Joplin House State Historic Site featuring some of the best creative improvisational music and literary work in St. Louis today.

BAG II was originally started by Ajule Sonny Rutlin and Vincent Terrell. Since their sudden passing, within months of each other, it has been difficult to facilitate a consistent coming together of creative energy here in St. Louis.

BAG lives on, but BAG II, while it was good, has gone as far as it can go.

Plan to join us for the last three months of BAG II programming:

Sunday, October 26th
Sunday, November 23rd
Sunday, December 28th

All BAG II events begin at 7 PM, are free, family-friendly and open to the public.

In the New Year we’ll be moving on to new things, looking forward to more creative work in St. Louis and beyond. We plan to take down the BAG II web site and discontinue this mailing list in January 2009.

Check www.myspace.com/zimbabwenkenya to stay in touch,

Peace,
Zimbabwe"

StLJN will have more details on BAG II's last three programs as they are announced, and I also hope to be able to find out more about the decision to end the organzation's run as well as Nkenya's future plans. Stay tuned.