Community celebrates life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. though song

Seven Rhode Island community choirs will present “Singing The Dream,” a musical tribute celebrating the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 31, at 4:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Providence. More than 150 voices from Shir Emanu-El of Temple Emanu-El in Providence, Grace Episcopal Church, Prism of Praise Community Gospel Choir, Providence Gay Men’s Chorus, Central Congregational Church of Providence, Shireinu – The Jewish Community Chorus of Temple Sinai in Cranston and HaZamir Providence, will honor and commemorate the great American civil rights leader. The choirs will sing gospel hymns, spirituals, Jewish hymns and contemporary compositions.

Produced by Temple Emanu-El, the program has the generous support of the Bliss, Gross, Horowitz Fund at The Rhode Island Foundation and is sponsored by the Board of Rabbis of Greater RI, RI State Council of Churches and The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. “The collaboration with churches, community singing groups, synagogues and faith communities celebrates the power of music and triumph of the human spirit inspired by Dr. King’s vision for equality,” said Cantor Dr. Brian Mayer, hazzan at Temple Emanu-El and music director of the program.

The Rev. Canon Jonathan Huyck of Grace Church will offer the invocation and the Rev. Shavon Starling-Lewis of Providence Presbyterian Church will be the keynote speaker. With the benediction by Imam Farid Ansari, the performance will conclude with the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by all of the voices as well as the audience. The performance is free and open to the public. For tickets, go to singingthedream.eventbrite.com