UO honors MLK, Jr. Day with music and dance concerts

The week of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday will feature two concerts sponsored by the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King.

The UO Gospel Singers, under the direction of ensemble conductor Andiel Brown, swept both the first and second annual Disney Gospel Choir Fest in 2010 and 2011.

With “Revival of a Dream,” their songs will celebrate King’s ideas and guest speakers will include Dr. Johnny Lake; Pastor Ben Cross; Dr. Carla Gary; and Pastor Roosevelt Brown, Sr. Special guest musical artists will include Eric Alphonso and the Father's House worship leaders and pop-rock gospel duo Caleb & Sol.

The free gospel concert starts at 3 p.m. Jan. 21 in Beall Concert Hall in the Frohnmayer Music Building.

The year 2013 also marks the 20th anniversary of the University of Oregon’s Dance Africa program, a Department of Dance repertory company.

To commemorate Dance Africa’s legacy of celebrating the diverse dances of Africa, company co-founder and director Rita Honka has planned a winter concert for Jan. 24- 26. The celebration will feature current and former Dance Africa company members, as well as special guest artists Mandjou and Salif Kone, and Habib Iddrissu.

“Dance Africa: Celebrating 20 Years” runs at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday in Dougherty Dance Theatre, Gerlinger Annex. General admission is $10; $5 for students. Tickets are available in advance from the UO Ticket Office, 541-346-4363, and may be available at the door except in the case of a sold-out performance.