A display of artworks and essays by PCCS Arts Academy students and a punch and cookie reception will begin at The Village Theater at 5:30 p.m., followed by the main program at 6:00 p.m. This annual event is presented by: Canton Commission for Culture, Arts, and Heritage; members of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sub-Committee; and Canton Township. Admission to this special presentation is $2 at the door.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Wm Reese, Jr. M.A.R.S., L.L.P., Pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Detroit, Psychotherapist--Henry Ford Hospital Dearborn Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic and Adjunct Professor Oakland Community College.
The program will also feature Plymouth Canton Educational Park Step Team and musical performances by the BeckRidge Chorale.
This year, community youth who are part of the PCCS Arts Academy under the direction of Amy Morgan, will share their thoughts and ideas about Dr. King through artworks and essays, which will be on display from January 19 through February 28, 2015 in the theater gallery. Thanks to Canton Township Officials: John Anthony, Terry Bennett, Phil LaJoy, Melissa McLaughlin, Steven Sneideman and Patrick Williams for personally donating the scholarship and award money for winners of the art and essay contests. This year's art and essay winners are respectively:
1st place - Ashley Jablonski "Unarmed Truth"
1st place - Alia Alsharif "Now is the Time"
2nd place - Avery Matthews "Dreams Become Reality"
2nd place - Ava Lovsin & Alyson Grayshaw "We Are All the Same Color"
3rd place - Conner Bublitz "MLK, Jr."
3rd place - Alec MacDonald "dogmatism"
Frames for the 40 selected works were generously donated by IKEA Canton. The frames will be used each year for this and other cultural events. The reception is sponsored annually by Darian and Ralynda Moore of Keller Williams Realty of Plymouth, MI.
The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton, MI 48187, is a regional center for the arts that offers the magic of live theatre, soul-stirring music, the thrill of the dance, and the enjoyment of fine art exhibitions and events, in addition to providing a home for several cultural organizations and community groups. For more information about this special performance and the latest exhibition in the Gallery@VT, please call 734/394-5300 or visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org
MEDIA CONTACTS: Jennifer Tobin, Canton Arts Coordinator - 734/394-5484
Jon LaFever, Recreation & Facility Supervisor - 734/394-5482.