FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to Host Free Virtual Programming in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Celebrate MLK Jr. Day immersed in music, culture and community with virtual programming themed around the exhibit “It’s Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment”
Museum to reopen with free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18th); advance tickets required at rockhall.com
CLEVELAND (January 15, 2021) – Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Monday, January 18th. The free virtual celebration highlights how people use music to find their voice and create a sense of community. Programming is themed around the exhibit, “It’s Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment” that looks at how African American artists have been using music to respond to racism, to fight for equal rights, and to promote social justice throughout the entire history of rock and roll.
The museum reopens to fans and is once again hosting a free admission day in honor of Dr. King on Monday, January 18th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with advance tickets required at rockhall.com. The daylong celebration and virtual programming is a part of the Rock the Block Community Days presented by the John P. Murphy Foundation.
“We look forward to uniting fans in celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy, and inspiring them to find their voice and do their part to contribute to a more equitable word, just as artists have done throughout history through their music,” said Greg Harris, President & CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Enjoy the vibrant virtual programming and activities for all ages at rockhall.com and on the Rock Hall’s YouTube channel. The virtual program is free on Monday, January 18th and premiers at 12 p.m. ET. Programming includes: • A special look at the exhibit “It’s Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment” with Chief Curator Nwaka Onwusa • Music and dance performances including the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church Gospel Choir • Exclusive Rock Hall Vault footage of interviews and performances spotlighting African American artists • Rock Hall educational spotlights for families • Educational resources related to social justice available on Rock Hall EDU, a digital education platform powered by PNC (sign up for free here) • And more!
Music was an integral part to the Civil Rights Movement, and musicians stood alongside Dr. King during many of his appearances in the name of racial justice. Including Hall of Fame Inductees, Nina Simone Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Staples Singers, Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Sam Cooke, musicians have regularly played a role in advocating for social change.
In every generation, artists have responded in song and action to promote social justice and equality. What the world is seeing today, as injustices are called out and protesters are finding their voices, is not new. And neither are the musical responses - words and music and passion converging to create something much bigger that cuts deep into the rage, gives hope and radiates empowerment. Experience these important messages in the Rock Hall’s exhibit, “It’s Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment,” available virtually at rockhall.com and at the Museum.
Become a Rock Hall Virtual Member to get special access to monthly exclusive stories, live stream interviews, archival video footage, and other never-before-seen From the Vault exclusives. Sign up today at rockhall.com.
Don’t miss the Rock Hall’s next Fam Jam on January 9th at 11 a.m. on the Rock Hall’s YouTube channel. The free event brings the community together to feature music education activities, live performances from The Beck Center for the Arts, crafts with The Children’s Museum of Cleveland and story time with The Cleveland Public Library. Teachers and parents can create a free account on Rock Hall EDU to access supplemental activity information.
Thanks to the generous support of the John P. Murphy Foundation, fans can take advantage of free admission to the Rock Hall on MLK Jr. Day on January 18th, and other community engagement days throughout the year that provide impactful, educational programming and increased collaboration with community partners. Visit rockhall.com/events for details.
About the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Rock Connects Us. Our mission is clear: To engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock & roll. We share stories of the people, events and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, and engaging programs. Join the millions who love it as much as you do. Experience us live or online – Visit rockhall.com or follow the Rock Hall on Facebook (@rockandrollhalloffame), Twitter (@rockhall), Instagram (@rockhall) and YouTube (youtube.com/rockhall). Long Live Rock!
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