King For A Day

I think there's a tendency among a lot of people to regard remembrances of the civil rights movement as somber affairs, simply because of all the struggle and strife that affected those involved in it. When you think of the people who died for the cause, the loss of luminaries such as Martin Luther King Jr., and the pain that so many endured to make Civil Rights possible, it's easy to get bogged down and forget that the momentous changes brought about as a result of the movement should be outright celebrated. And this year, there is even more reason to commemorate these events, as we have a black president and change seems more tangible than ever. Of course, there is no better way to lift spirits and truly celebrate something so significant than with music. The Black Academy of Arts and Letters has put together a joyous celebration of the civil rights movement and of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with their 27th Annual Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement Concert, featuring the appropriately soaring vocals of American Idol winner and Grammy nominee Ruben Studdard. Tickets for the event, which begins at 7:30 p.m., can be purchased at the Black Academy of Arts and Letter's box office by calling 214-743-2400, and are available for $15, $20 and $30. The event will be held at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2501 Flora St. Visit tbaal.org for more info.
Sun., Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m., 2010