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Musical celebration fosters unity in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Music was woven throughout the Civil Rights movement, which is why it was fitting to incorporate musical performances in celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Monday night.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Music was woven throughout the Civil Rights movement, which is why it was fitting to incorporate musical performances in celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Monday night.

King was a civil rights hero and preacher familiar with the importance of the gift of song as it relates to moving people to action.

“Everybody should walk away feeling a sense of togetherness, a sense of being, a sense of family,” said attendee Fredericka Faison.

At the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, hundreds of people gathered Monday night to create a sense of unity through music and other artistic performances at the 38th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Evening Musical Celebration.

The night featured spiritual songs King and others sang during protests and marches and many believe the spirit of the messages in those songs still resonates.

“It was important for me to be here to offer my gift unto the Lord, obviously, but to spread the word and to spread the good news that Dr. Martin Luther King has done for us,” said musician Bruce Graves.

“When they come together and do the march and do the prayer breakfast and tie it up with this concert, I just think it’s just how everybody can just come in and feel this sense of togetherness,” Faison said.

Many of the events in the Triangle throughout the weekend leading up to Monday night were organized by the Triangle Martin Luther King Committee.

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