Maya Smith
April 4, 1968, is a pivotal date in history that forever changed lives here in Memphis and across this country. Fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Memphis to help sanitation workers achieve better working conditions and living wages. Dr. King was assassinated in this city by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Motel. This April, the city of Memphis will honor Dr. King’s legacy through numerous events hosted by the mayor's office and the National Civil Rights Museum, along with many other independent events commemorating Dr. King’s life. Memphis Parent is highlighting a few events that are open to families and children of all ages.
A Woman and Her Music: a MLK50 Tribute
Sunday, April 1, 4-6 p.m.
Clayborn Temple • 294 Hernando St.
A Woman and Her Music: a MLK50 Tribute will feature music by Memphian and acclaimed African-American composer Earnestine Rodgers Robinson with a screening of the award-winning documentary, Hidden Treasure. The documentary has been featured at film festivals across the country. It tells her amazing story of composing music and her experience of moving into and living in the Lorraine Motel shortly after Dr. King was assassinated there. The event will feature live performances by soloists Valetta Brinson and Jonathan Blanchard along with the White Station High School choir. This event is a chance for the public to get a preview of an invitation-only MLK50 concert that the Memphis Symphony Orchestra is hosting where Opera Singer Jessye Norman will perform Ms. Robinson’s music. A Woman and Her Music is free and open to the public.
Where Do We Go From Here? A View from the Mountaintop
Monday, April 2, 5-7 p.m.
Halloran Centre for Performing Arts and Education • 203 S. Main St.
Shelby County Schools commemorates the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a program that will highlight student talent from across the district through dance, song, art, and speech. The evening will start with a reception and art walk, where students will have the opportunity to explain the vision behind their pieces honoring Dr. King. After the interactive art gallery, you will enjoy student performances, and guest speakers will select their favorite excerpt from Dr. King and how it affects educational or social equity and equality today.
It's Up To Us
Tuesday, April 3, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Clayborn Temple • 294 Hernando St.
A special screening by Indie Memphis of the film Let Freedom Sing hosted by actor LeVar Burton will include a pre-show performance featuring a string chamber orchestra of IRIS musicians and University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music Chamber Strings students, and Black Arts Alliance singers, dancers, and poets. Special guest speaker, the Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook, will also offer his unique story of the friendship and collaboration he shared with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Free admission. To RSVP call (720) 227-4669 or email rarendt@irisorchestra.org.
An Evening of Storytelling
Wednesday, April 4, Reception at 5:30 p.m.; event at 7 p.m.
Crosstown Concourse
The National Civil Rights Museum will host An Evening of Storytelling at Crosstown Concourse. This signature event will be the culmination of a yearlong MLK50 commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. An Evening of Storytelling will bring living icons of the early civil rights movement and emerging social justice leaders together for an intimate look at the American Civil Rights Movement from its past foundations of the 1950s and 1960s to the mobilizations and grassroots organizing happening now. With anecdotes, moderated discourse, music, dance, and art, the crowning event for MLK50 will explore how past activism laid the groundwork for current action and how new civil rights movement makers are working to advance the social justice legacy of Dr. King.