Seattle Peace Chorus sings out against slavery

This Friday and Sunday, Seattle Peace Chorus celebrates its 25th anniversary with a program of songs designed to bring attention to global human trafficking.

Led by director Fred West, the chorus will perform African-American spirituals and songs from other countries with a history of slavery, such as Brazil and Bulgaria. Past members of the chorus and former directors Helen Lauritzen and Mark Kloepper will also appear to mark the group's 25th year.

Estimates of the numbers of people today in bondage worldwide vary greatly, but it is generally agreed to be in the millions — including thousands in the U.S. Information about human trafficking will be available to concertgoers before and after the performances.

Seattle Peace Chorus was founded in 1983 to "communicate through music the desire for a just and peaceful world."

Performances of "Our America — Breaking Free" are 7 p.m. Friday, Plymouth Congregational Church, 1217 Sixth Ave., Seattle, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Saint Benedict Church, 1805 N. 49th St, Seattle; tickets are $13-$17 (www.brownpapertickets.com). For more about Seattle Peace Chorus, go to www.seattlepeacechorus.org.

Lynn Jacobson: ljacobson@seattletimes.com