City remembers MLK

"Sing a song full of faith that the dark past has taught us. Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us" bellows Lift Every Voice and Sing, the black national anthem. And they did. All who gathered in Heritage Hall on January 21 to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. seemed, in song and in speech, to be pervaded by a sense of progress and urgency epitomized in this chorus. As the participants, fresh from their own enactment of the freedom march through the streets of downtown, celebrated the life of MLK they seemed to be focused on further progress and new voices to carry on Dr King's message.

Sparked by the insight and eloquence of speaker Ossie Davis, who attempts to "bring before the people the scent of freedom," the attentive audience seemed inclined not only to enjoy quiet remembrance, but to do as Mr. Davis and other speakers Dr. C.B. Akins, Dr. Lee Todd and Pam Miller suggested and contemplate who is to be the next MLK Jr.

This program of rousing speakers, touching stories and uplifting music by esteemed vocalists Jeryl Cunningham, Earl Hazell Jr., cellist Karen Patterson and pianist Cliff Jackson invigorated and honored the spirit of civil rights and challenged the audience to seek out new leaders to carry the blessing and the burden King helped shape. Participants in the ceremony left Heritage Hall empowered and humbled by a sense of obligation to their freedom and their future. -Martha Mulholland

Help Shape Downtown Development

Don't have tickets for Down from the Mountain at Rupp Arena on Friday night?

Console yourself with a trip to the Central Library January 25th at 9:30 pm when Frank Taylor, former Executive Director of Development for San Jose, California comes to Lexington to discuss city planning. Mayor Miller has invited Taylor to act as a strategist and catalyst for the Downtown Development Authority by speaking on his revitalization of San Jose. Since space is limited registration is requested by contacting Caruthers Coleman Jr. at 266-6903 or emailing lex21@worldnett.att.net. -MM

Mine the Gap

The Bluegrass Chapter of the United Nations Association has declared, with the support of Mayor Pam Miller, that January is the Bluegrass Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign Month. In concert with the announcement, a fund-raising dinner will be held at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Lexington, Sunday, January 27 at, at 6 p.m. The event is to be catered by Alfalfa's, with entertainment by the Reel World String Band. The aim is to raise $28, 251.00 which will be used in full, to clear a minefield located in Maputo Province, Mozambique. Mozambique is second only to Angola in the sheer number of landmines infesting the country of Africa. The issue of landmines has gained further prominence and relevance with the recent maiming of American soldiers in Afghanistan. Admission to the event is by donation and reservations can be made by calling 859/271-2920. -Rob Kirkland

Express Yourself

A panel discussion on human rights and "Freedom of Expression" will be held at Georgetown College's Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery Thursday, January 31st at 3:30 p.m. Panelists and exhibition artists include, Elsa Mora, who will show bronze sculptures and photographs from her 13-piece work entitled, "Ejercicios de Silencio," (Exercises in Silence) a self-described series about "silencefear, loneliness, 'self-torture' and communication." Hmm. Raul Codero, who was featured in this month's Art Journal and Sculpture magazine's November feature artist, Fernando Rodriguez will also present works. Other discussion panelists include Lexington Herald-Leader cartoonist Joel Pett and Georgetown College Vice President Mike Dawahare. The exhibition also showcases the paintings, sculptures, photographs and video works of five Cuban artists. The panel discussion will be followed by a grand opening reception at 5 p.m. The exhibit will run through February 22. -RK