Helping make a connection between people of different races and playing fun music is what blues and folk artist Judy Gorman-Jacobs hopes to accomplish when she performs at NIU on Friday.

Gorman-Jacobs will appear at 7 p.m. in the NIU Music Building Concert Hall. The concert is being sponsored by the Student Association, Women’s Studies and University Resources for Women.

“The history of music in the United States is the history of personal and social experiences of many people,” the New York-based singer said. “My experiences as a woman and a person of color have helped me relate to these problems and get by the narrow file system all people may be placed in by society.”

She said her idea of success with an audience relies on interaction and open discussion. She welcomes opinions and emotional discussions with her audiences.

Sharon Howard, NIU director for resources for women, said Gorman-Jacobs is very concerned with hearing what students have to say on college campuses here and around the world.

Gorman-Jacobs hopes to hear a lot from NIU students not only about her music, but about some of their concerns also. After the concert, an informal discussion group will be held in which listeners can talk to the singer and exchange ideas and concerns.