The Music Institute of Chicago will continue a long-standing tradition by presenting a free Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Jan. 15 at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston. This year, the event is cocurated by Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Artistic Director Tim Rhoze.
Music Institute President Mark George noted that his organization has hosted an annual event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for over 20 years. “The Music Institute is well known for its teaching and performing,” George said. “But in this case, we’re playing the role of convener, using the arts to bring people together and shine a light on equity in the arts.”
Rhoze noted that pairing his organization with the Music Institute of Chicago serves to “broaden our audience base for celebrating this holiday. It all comes down to community and how do we bridge this gap and fill in that chasm that separates us?”
In the past, George reported, the annual event has featured Music Institute students. “This year, we decided to do things a little differently and bring together some of our peer organizations,” he said.
Rhoze praised “the depth and breadth of the performing groups and organizations” that are part of the celebration.
The program will include the world premiere of “A Stone of Hope (Martin’s Song)” by Ephraim Champion, which was commissioned by the Music Institute through the Hearing in Color Young Composer Residency. The trio will be performed by Music Institute faculty members Marta Aznavoorian (piano), Mara McClain (cello), and Angela DeVenuto (soprano).
“Some of the lyrics from the piece come from the words of Martin Luther King,” George said. He noted that the piece emphasizes hope, adding that, “I think MLK certainly exemplifies that.”
The diverse program will also include a performance of Samuel Coleridge Taylor’s “African Dances, Op. 58? by sisters and Music Institute alumnae Caitlin Adamson on viola and Jada Adamson-Tate on piano.
A young violinist from the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative will play William Grant Still’s “Mother and Child. Flutist Kaylee Johnson from Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play program will perform.
Evanston Dance Ensemble will present a dance, music, and spoken word piece. Also featured will be T.E. & Company from the Faith Temple church of God in Christ, presenting an inspirational dance by young people paired with sign language.
There will also be a visual art exhibition in the Nichols Concert Hall lobby coordinated by the Evanston Art Center and curated by artist Fran Joy, who was honored in 2019 as the Evanston Mayor’s Artist of the Year.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss will deliver remarks, including talking about Evanston’s groundbreaking reparations initiative.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is always free. “We want as many people as possible to come together and celebrate a great American leader,” George said.
Rhoze said, “Between the curated artwork and the curation of the performing arts groups and individuals, it’s going to be a glorious day of celebration.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
When: 3 p.m. Jan. 15
Where: Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Tickets: Free; reservations are required. Also available by livestream at nichols-concert-hall.ticketleap.com/mlk2023
Information: 847-905-1500; musicinst.org/nch
Here are some other events happening this week:
Holiday spirit lives on
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“The Holiday Continues Concert!” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Congregation Bene Shalom, 4435 Oakton St., Skokie. Tickets: free, reservations are required. 847-677-3330; beneshalom.com.
Rabbi Charlene Brooks, who is also an acclaimed singer and songwriter, will perform Hanukkah music as well as Broadway tunes and a Barbra Streisand medley, accompanied by Gail Mangurten (piano), Jim Cox (bass), and Phil Gratteau (drums). Singer and songwriter Carla Gordon will be the special guest.
Sing the blues
Charlie Brown & Harry Binford Blues Duo will perform at 2 p.m. Jan. 15 at Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, 1220 Kensington Road, Oak Brook. Tickets: regular museum admission of $10 adults; $8 seniors; $5 students, teens, and ages 7-12; free for ages 6 and under. 630-833-1616; lizzadromuseum.org/calendar.
Charlie Brown on keyboard and vocals, and Harry Binford on acoustic guitar, will perform an hourlong concert of Delta and early Chicago blues. Brown will share tales about the early blues artists and their songs.
Historical meeting
“Trying” by Joanna Glass will be performed by the Free Readers Ensemble, 3 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. Tickets: Free. 708-386-2729; freereaders.com/trying.html.
In 1967, Francis Biddle, attorney general under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Chief Judge of the Nuremberg trials, tries to put his life in order before he dies, aided by a young secretary. The two strangers wind up influencing each other in unexpected ways in this staged reading.
Jazz it up
Red Rose Jazz Band will perform at 4 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Stuart Community Room in Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Tickets: $25-$30. 847-234-6060; gortoncenter.org/event/red-rose-jazz-2023.
This return performance of the band that plays ragtime, Dixie, and early jazz music is part of the Gorton Center Live series.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.