"O King” - A Concert Of Music And Words For MLK In Chattanooga

A portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. by Chattanooga artist Jerry Allen - commissioned by the Bessie Smith Cultural Center for “O King.”(Jerry Allen / Bessie Smith Cultural Center)This year’s holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. was a few days ago - but next week, the celebration continues here in Chattanooga.“O King” is a tribute to the legacy and work of the civil rights leader and his associates, featuring music and spoken word reflections.The free concert on Thursday, January 25th starts at 7 PM at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.Dr. Jonathan McNair is the Ruth S. Holmberg Professor of American Music on our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.Elijah Cameron is director of community relations at The Bessie.Erika Roberts is a poet here in Chattanooga - and Chelsea Risley is executive director of the literary nonprofit SoLit.(UTC)