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Ceremony to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On Sunday, January 20, Torrington's Episcopal Church will open its doors to receive hundreds of eager listeners. This 11th annual event commemorating Dr. King offers all an opportunity to acknowledge the vast work that is yet to be done in order for true racial healing to take place. It will honor the memory of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through reflection, music and spoken word. Segments of the program will incorporate readings presented by young actors from the Hartford Academy of the Arts, expounding on the power of non-violent action during the Civil Rights Movement and how it relates to current world events.
High on the list of guest artists is Martin Obeng, master drummer of his generation who has brought the spirit, culture and music of West Africa to the New World. Using traditional African rhythm patterns, he creates compelling original compositions. Obeng was a Royal Court Drummer at age 17 and later toured the world as cultural emissary with Ghana's National Arts Council Folkloric Company. Teaching and performing now in the U.S., his music has been influenced by jazz, funk and reggae. His virtuosity in performance is marked by lightning speed and effortless power.
Keynote speaker for the Commemoration will be the Reverend Dr. Earle B. Sanford, who serves as Senior Pastor at the United Methodist Church in Woodbury. He and his congregation have been active in the CROP Hunger Walk, helping to raise over $30,000 for CROP. Dr. Sanford serves on the board of the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries and continues to promote dialogue among Jewish, Islamic and Christian faith traditions. Dr. Sanford's culminating remarks and prayers at a large interfaith peace gathering, shortly after September 11, inspired the hundreds to dedicate themselves to non-violent reaction to the events that shook us all.
Sister Sound contemporary vocal ensemble will perform along with the Dr. King Community Chorus. Another guest will be singer Leslie Bird, Master Teaching Artist with the CT Commission on the Arts and singer with Women of the Cross from Hartford. Arthur Romano, a poet and peace teacher, will present original poetry inspired by his recent Peace Walk from New York to Washington, DC; and drummer Fre Atlast from Woodstock, NY will join the chorus for several songs. Local saxophonist Stephen Brookes, a band director from Litchfield High School, is currently rehearsing with the Dr. King Community Chorus in preparation for the event. A culminating presentation will include a highly participatory musical World Peace Flag Ceremony where flags from every nation will be carried throughout the sanctuary.
Doors will open at 3:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 4 p.m. Please bring a non-perishable food item for FISH Inc. or the Torrington Food Kitchen to be collected at the door. Admission is $8 adults, $4 seniors and students; for more info call Victoria Christgau of Sound Body Production Company at 860-567-3441.
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