Washington, DC, January 10, 2011
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: King across the Ages
Urban Jazz Harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet, Hip-hop Violinist Daniel D., Local D.C. Youth Choirs, Dancers, Drummers, Service Projects to Commemorate MLK Day at the National Cathedral
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Washington, D.C.—Washington National Cathedral will observe its annual holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, January 17, in a two-hour concert performance at 2 pm. The Cathedral’s yearly celebration of King’s legacy has expanded to include service projects and interfaith dialogue the first half of the day around the city of Washington and then will culminate in the afternoon musical event.
“Nearly 42 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., preached what would be his last Sunday sermon from the Cathedral’s Canterbury Pulpit. Four days later he was killed in Memphis. The power of that sermon and power of that moment linger on very significantly, certainly in the life of this Cathedral, and in many ways across the nation and beyond,” said Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III, who will offer a prayer at the start of the 2 pm event.
The afternoon performance will be free and open to the public; attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable canned food item or a new children’s book for admittance.
Performers will include diverse talent from across the country as well as local D.C. youth choirs, dancers, and drummers. Urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet has performed and recorded with such artists as Stevie Wonder, the Jonas Brothers, Kenny G, and Prince. Hip-hop violinist Daniel D. will return to the Cathedral following his 2009 performance there; he has performed for President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Larry King. Daniel D. will be joined by his sister, singer-songwriter-guitarist Faith Lyn.
Singer Rae N. Rajkumar will serve as the program’s master of ceremonies. Local performers will include the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, the Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir, the Children’s Chorus of Washington, and 60 D.C. Public School students from CityDance’s Early Arts program.
“The opportunity for our students to perform with their peers at the Cathedral in celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., provides them with a real-world experience of what we teach in the classroom and what Dr. King showed the world—the power and impact of communities that work together to bring about change,” said Alexandra Nowakowski, executive director of CityDance.
Service projects are being organized with Cathedral partner organizations including Unity Walk, the Sokka Gakkai Culture Center, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Covenant Baptist Church, Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, Jubilee Jobs, and the Bishop Walker School for Boys. Projects will include clothing and food collections, and literacy efforts designed to help across all quadrants of the city.
Press: RSVP for the event to Richard Weinberg at rweinberg@cathedral.org »
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To learn more, visit www.nationalcathedral.org/celebrate »
About Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral is a church for national purposes called to embody God’s love and to welcome people of all faiths and perspectives. A unique blend of the spiritual and the civic, this Episcopal cathedral is a voice for generous-spirited Christianity and a catalyst for reconciliation and interfaith dialogue to promote respect and understanding. We invite all people to share in our commitment to create a more hopeful and just world.
SOURCE: Washington National Cathedral