Community to Celebrate Dr. King's Birthday 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2007

For more information, contact:
Barbara Fuqua, Chair, City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Commission, 331-7903
Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, Community and Family Resources, City of Bloomington, 349-3471

Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan invites the community to attend this year's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Monday, Jan. 15. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. It is preceded by a reception at the First United Methodist Church featuring a display of students' winning Web pages, the awarding of prizes to the designers, and refreshments at 6 p.m. Both the program and reception are free and open to the public.

"Community service and volunteerism are key ingredients to Bloomington's character," Kruzan said. "And this event is a wonderful way to help honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

Speakers at the event include Kruzan, Monroe County Commissioner Iris Kiesling, Ivy Tech-Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart, City of Bloomington King Commission Chair Barbara Fuqua, and Master of Ceremonies David Hummons.

The celebration features presentation of the Commission's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award, announcement of the winners of the Commission's Web Page Design contest, announcement of the book selected for this year's "One Book One Bloomington and Beyond" project, and recognition of volunteers who participated in service projects as part of "A Day On! Not A Day Off."

In addition, there will be performances by the Indiana University African American Choral Ensemble, directed by Professor Keith McCutchen; a Community Chorus led by Dr. Mellonee Burnim; and a play written by Emma Winkler featuring the Bloomington Playwrights Project.

The public is invited to participate in the Community Chorus, which will sing traditional African-American music at the celebration. Interested vocalists are invited to attend the rehearsal on Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m. at the Theater. For more information, please contact Dr. Burnim at [burnim@indiana.edu|mailto:burnim@indiana.edu] or 339-4906.

Information about the MLK Day Celebration is available online at [www.bloomington.in.gov/cfrd|/sections/viewSection.php?section_id=121], or by calling Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator in the City's Community and Family Resources Department, at 812-349-3471.

Major event underwriters include Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University, Monroe Bank, Stephens Honda-Hyundai, Indiana University Credit Union, WFIU and the City of Bloomington. Additional sponsors include United Commerce Bank, Bloomington Black Business & Professional Association, Inc., George and Viola Taliaferro, Bloomington Hospital, Jason Millican and the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i's.