Archived Arts & Entertainment

WCU events to commemorate legacy of Martin Luther King

art nikkiWestern Carolina University will be hosting a week of events from Jan. 21 to 26 celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

World-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni will be the keynote speaker for the university’s annual celebration in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Giovanni, who has been called the “Princess of Black Poetry,” will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, in the Grandroom of the A.K. Hinds University Center.

She also received the Langston Hughes Medal for poetry, was named the first recipient of the Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award and was one of Oprah Winfrey’s 25 “Living Legends.” Her autobiography Gemini was a finalist for the National Book Award. The Inspirational Choir will perform two selections at the event, and Truthwriters, WCU’s spoken word group, will present a poem.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 26, a range of service activities will take place at varying locations. The events are coordinated by WCU’s Center for Service Learning.

At 4:30 p.m. Jan. 21, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will host a unity march on campus followed by a birthday party for King at Illusions in the University Center.

At 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, students will re-enact King’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech from the University Center balcony. At 6 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will host its annual open-mic night in Illusions as part of the celebration.

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, a discussion about race will be hosted in the Cardinal Room of the University Center. The discussion will be followed at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by tap dancer, choreographer and actor Savion Glover, who will present his show “SoLe Sanctuary” at the Bardo Arts Center. The show is part of the Arts and Cultural Events Performance Series at WCU.

The Giovanni address and most King celebration events at WCU are free and open to the public. Tickets for “SoLe Sanctuary” are $10 for students and $15 for all others and are available by calling 828.227.2479 or visiting bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.227.2276.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.