St. Andrews Presbyterian College will sponsor the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Avinger Auditorium at 5 p.m. on Jan. 18.
This year’s event, which is free and open to the public, will feature the nationally recognized musical group The Peay Brothers.
“We are continuing a tradition begun four years ago,” said Rona Leach McLeod, visiting assistant professor of education and chair of the planning committee. “The Martin Luther King celebration is a special event not only for St. Andrews but also for our community. I think it’s an opportunity where the community can come together and we can fellowship together while remembering Dr. King’s legacy. His legacy has an impact on each of us. We believe this will be an excellent way to end the day of celebration for the entire community.”
The Peay Brothers have been performing throughout the Carolinas for more than 20 years. Natives of Rowland, Majid, Taimine, Katif and Solomon grew up blending voices to hallmark a favored family harmony. Formerly known as The Gospel Joylites, the group was formed upon the dream of their late father. The group, with continued guidance from mother Joyce, recently worked with WFMY News 2 of Greensboro to complete a theme song for the station. They are currently working with Grammy Winning Producer Tim Green. The Peay Brothers were also featured on the CBS Early Show’s “Singing Family Face-Off”, in which they climbed to the number two spot through internationally submitted votes.
“The CBS competition gave us the opportunity to showcase our talents to an audience we haven’t reached yet,” they said.
While The Peay Brothers are the featured entertainers, they are not alone on the schedule.
“We will also have some young local performers and a poet from Youngsville,” said Leach McLeod. “All of these performers are exciting and dynamic, providing us with a multi-faceted celebration in song, poetry and dance.”
The national holiday marks the birthdate of King on the third Monday of every January. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill creating the holiday on Nov. 2, 1983, in a special ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. King was the chief spokesman of the nonviolent civil rights movement. He was assassinated in 1968.
“Martin Luther King Day is not only a day to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, but also a day to remember Dr. King’s mission. That mission inspires us to work for reconciliation and justice today,” said Dan Ott, assistant professor of religious studies at St. Andrews and member of the planning committee.
For more information concerning the event at St. Andrews, call the college at (910) 277-5337.
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