Variety show continues MLK Day celebration

In an effort to bring the message of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into the everyday lives of University students, a campus group extended the holiday's events into the weekend.

More than 50 people gathered Friday at Leonardo's Cafe in Pierpont Commons for the Martin Luther King Variety Show to hear 13 acts that included music, poetry, recitation and other expressions of King's message of love and respect.

The College of Engineering and the Martin Luther King Committee sponsored the free event.

"We decided that it was very important that people get the idea that (you should) incorporate this feeling and inspiration into your everyday life," said student co-chair Michelle Mirkin, an Engineering first-year student.

"I was involved with my high school program and I just thought this was a great way to spread love and respect," Mirkin said.

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Leslie DeShazar plays the violin in the MLK Variety Show. DeShazar was one of many musicians who participated in the event, which attracted more than 50 people.

"We thought, 'What better way to get across Martin Luther King's message than in a way we all like to be inspired - in entertainment?,'" Mirkin said, adding that participation was open to "anyone who wanted to speak from their heart."

The event began with a rendition of the Black National Anthem by LaRon Bishop. A recitation of a Nikki Giovanni poem by Engineering first-year student Miah Daughtery followed.

Daughtery said her recitation related King's message to contemporary social issues.

"Along with Martin Luther King, I feel it is important that we just not think about blacks and other minorities, but women as well," Daughtery said.

Four local Ann Arbor high school students, Lissa Sperlich, Jean Wallace, Janada Halbisen-Gibbs and Jesa Rae, performed an interpretative poetry act. Halbisen-Gibbs began with the Pledge of Allegiance as the others joined in simultaneously with their own poetry. Rae concluded the performance by covering her hands with black and white paint and blending it together.

Several more poetry recitations, performances by School of Music students and a energetic show by the Gospel Chorale followed.

SNRE sophomore Janelle Jenkins recited an original poem about her father. She said she felt it represented the "freedom of expression (Martin Luther King) died for."

Engineering senior Autwan Fuller recited a personal poem entitled "Tired of Waiting." He read, "I am tired of waiting for people to wake up and see how ignorant they are...I am going to love my Asian sister, I am going to teach my white brother...I am going to rid children of ignorance."

The evening concluded with Bishop performing the song "Change the World," which spontaneously led into "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday."

"I hope that you all learned that we can all do more and we can all do something," Mirkin said at the show's conclusion.

"I expected it to be ordinary, but it turned out to be spectacular. Everyone got something from it," said Kristina Derro, first-year LSA student, who attended the show.

Wallace said the performance created a sense of unity and was successful in its mission.

"I was really inspired by everyone. I just thought it was beautiful that we could have all these people together with the same purpose," Wallace said.

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