We Shall Overcome: MLK, Jr. Commemorative Concert

2025 Martin luther king, jr. commemorative concert: we shall overcome

Montpelier Chamber Orchestra, Montpelier Community Gospel Choir and Shidaa Projects and special guests presented a new downtown Montpelier event on Sunday, January 19th, 2025 4 pm - 6 pm at City Hall Arts Center in the Lost Nation Theater. The MLK, Jr. Commemorative Concert is part of Spice on Snow, Music Festival, a roots music event, produced by Montpelier Alive.

The program included:

- Fifty-five performers presenting various artistic works over 2 hours with a post-concert reception with the artists..

- Montpelier Community Gospel Choir singing songs of the civil rights movement.

- Shidaa Projects performing West African-style dancing and drumming featuring International award winning Samuel Maama Marquaye accompanied by the Shidaa drumming team led by Artistic Director Jordan Mensah.

- Montpelier Chamber Orchestra strings playing the works of African American composers, including Matthew Evan Taylor and Florence Price.

- Michael Arnowitt, pianist, performing the works of African American composers, civil rights music, as well as a piece he composed in honor of George Floyd. 

- Reverend Joan Javier Duval leading a grounding invocation and sharing her legacy tour experience.

- Verdis LeVar Robinson serving as Master of Ceremonies, with a background as both a Universalist Unitarian Minister and a professor of African American studies.

The event will be livestreamed to accommodate those who can not manage the steep steps. Llivestream provided by ORCA Media. The event is sold out.