The Greater Bennington Peace and Justice Center in conjunction with the Greater Bennington Interfaith Council has announced plans for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration headlined by internationally renowned musician and music producer Michael Wimberly and friends. The event will take place on Monday, January 16 at 7 pm at the Bennington Performing Arts Center (Oldcastle Theatre) 331 Main St. in Bennington.
Michael Wimberly was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio during the civil rights era, where his early beginnings in soul, funk, rock, jazz, and classical music began. It was during Wimberly's undergraduate years at Baldwin Wallace University that the rhythms from the streets connected him to the rhythms of West Africa and 20th century contemporary music. Wimberly joined the Bennington College faculty in Fall 2012.
In this performance, Mowgli Giannitti on bass and Brian DeAngelo on percussion join Wimberly as he takes us on a rhythmical journey that will showcase his range as a percussionist and also as a composer and improviser.
The theme of this year's event will be this quote from Dr. King, "We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or we will perish together as fools." This theme will be reflected in the work of the Southwest VT Tech graphic arts students participating in our annual MLK poster contest; the finalists will be on view in the theatre lobby. Other highlights will include poems and writings by Bennington neighbors about Martin Luther King Jr.
Funding for the concert comes from the Second Congregational Church, and Dr. Richard Dundas.
Join us to share in this uplifting event! Admission is free. There will be a goodwill offering with proceeds going to two social justice groups: NAACP Rutland and Open Arms Bennington County; both will have information booths in the lobby.
Due to ongoing Covid concerns, the wearing of facemasks is voluntary but suggested.