The Music Institute of Chicago and the Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre will present a free musical celebration of Dr. MLK, Jr., on Sun., Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. The event will welcome fellow Evanston arts organization and community members and feature remarks by Mayor Biss. Enjoy music, dance and art, while celebrating  man who became a symbol of the civil rights movement. Performance will include:

• the world premiere of a “A Stone of Hope (Martin’s Song)” by Ephraim Champion, performed by Music Institute faculty Marta Aznavoorian, piano; Mara McClain, cello; and Angela DeVenuto, soprano. The Music Institute commissioned this work through the Hearing in Color Young Composer Residency; Champion is the 2022–23 composer.
• Music Institute alumnae and sisters Caitlin Adamson, viola, and Jada Adamson-Tate, piano (a past recipient of the Music Institute’s William Warfield Memorial Scholarship) performing Samuel Coleridge Taylor’s African Dances, Op. 58
• a young violinist from Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative offering William Grant Still’s “Mother and Child”
• Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play program featuring flutist Kaylee Johnson
• Evanston Dance Ensemble performing a work including dance, music, and spoken word
• T.E. & Company (Tricia Edwards) of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ
• a visual art exhibition in the Nichols Concert Hall lobby coordinated by the Evanston Art Center and curated by artist Fran Joy, the 2019 recipient of the Evanston Mayor’s Artist of the Year Award