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King's world
Schoolchildren of all ages and races dancing and storytelling and a community choir are set to be part of the King Day celebration at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
By VALERIE Q. CARINO
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 11, 2001
TAMPA -- A little piece of coincidence: The man at the helm of Tampa Bay's most dynamic tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also shares the late civil rights leader's birthday, Jan. 15.
But on the day Fred Johnson turns 50, he won't be blowing out birthday candles. Once again, Johnson will join African dancers, local students and church members for the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's fourth celebration of King's legacy at Ferguson Hall at 7:30 p.m.
The free event, unlike others perhaps associated with King day festivities, won't feature a parade and a herd of officials making speeches, but performances by students from Ballast Point Elementary, Seminole Heights Elementary and Blake High School, who will perform African dances.
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Tributes to a dream
Tributes to mark the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. are scheduled around the Tampa Bay area during the holiday weekend. |
"I tried this year to present the best of what Tampa Bay had to offer," said Johnson, the performing arts center's artist-in-residence and vice president of education and humanities. "This was really about reaching out to the community and saying, 'Let's get together and think about what Dr. King was all about.' "
Inspired by King's faith, activism and courage, Johnson set out four years ago to create a tribute that spoke to the heart of the minister's teachings. With the inclusion this year of dozens of students of all ages and all races, he hopes to convey a message of brotherhood, and ultimately, more understanding.
"We're talking about a world community here," Johnson said. "It's those things that are different about us that make our experience here in America special."
For the students' performance, expect a storytelling session from Ballast Point Elementary students, vibrant African costumes worn by Seminole Heights Elementary and Blake High School students, and choreography contributed by world-renowned dancer Baba Ishangi, who has created a piece for this tribute.
In addition to the dances, 120 people from the Community Mass Choir, a collection of members from 11 churches around Tampa Bay, will sing. A fashion show is also planned.
You won't hear King's I have a dream speech. While Johnson finds that speech relevant and inspiring today, the words were bypassed for some of King's other teachings.
"If we want to change the world we can begin by looking at ourselves and how we treat each other," he said.
Thanks to its sponsor, Outback Steakhouse, the show is free. Johnson hopes that will mean a packed house at Ferguson Hall. If you plan to go, call ahead for tickets. The number is (813) 229-7827.
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