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<p class="x_MsoNormal"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><b> </b> </font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><a href="http://www.krannertcenter.com/makeplans/calendar.aspx"><span style="color:windowtext">KrannertCenter.com</span></a></font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial">For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 12, 2012</font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Bridget Lee-Calfas, Advertising and Publicity Director</font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Phone: (217) 333-6282</font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Email: <a href="mailto:bklee@illinois.edu">
<span style="color:windowtext">bklee@illinois.edu</span></a> </font></p>
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<p class="x_MsoNormal"><b><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; the Offices of the President, Chancellor, and Provost; and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Access Announce UI Campus Sesquicentennial of the
Emancipation Proclamation Committee Programming:</font></b></p>
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<p class="x_MsoNormal"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><b><a href="http://www.krannertcenter.com/performance.aspx?id=2012121314261908128174106178"><b style="">SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK</b><b style="">®</b><b style="">: Saturday, February 9, 2013</b></a></b></font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><b style="">Culminating Celebration</b>, featuring Dr. Myrlie Evers-Williams, the U of I Black Chorus, and the Illinois Wind Symphony:
<b style="">Wednesday, February 27, 2013</b></font></p>
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<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial">As part of the campuswide initiative
<i style="">Inclusive Illinois: one campus, many voices</i>, the University of Illinois will commemorate the Sesquicentennial (150<sup>th</sup> Anniversary) of the Emancipation Proclamation with a series of lectures, art exhibits, musical performances, and
featured programs related to freedom and equality. The event series will present educational and transformative opportunities for students, staff, and faculty from the University of Illinois, as well as members of the Champaign-Urbana community.
<b style="">Details on the full range of programming can be found at </b><a href="http://inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu/MLK/emanproc.html">http://inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu/MLK/emanproc.html</a></font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><b style="">A highlight of the series includes a performance at Krannert Center’s Tryon Festival Theatre by the Grammy award-winning ensemble SWEET HONEY IN THE
ROCK® on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 7:30pm. </b>Founded in 1973 at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, this all-female
<i style="">a cappella</i> ensemble has woven a legacy of African-American music making that is rooted in sacred hymns of the Black church and the songs of the civil rights movement and infused with improvisation, soulful harmonies, and lively rhythms. According
to Associate Chancellor Menah Pratt-Clarke, SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK® “embodies the essence of issues of freedom, equality, and justice. It is precisely for these reasons and the values they epitomize that we are delighted that SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK® will
be a part of this celebration.”</font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><b style="">Tickets will go on sale Monday, December 17 at 10am and can be purchased online at
<a href="http://KrannertCenter.com">KrannertCenter.com</a>, by phone at 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX, or TTY at
</b><b style="">217/333-9714. This performance will be sign language interpreted. Patrons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing are encouraged to inquire about reserved seating arrangements.
</b></font></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Ticket Prices: $20 Standard / $15 Senior Citizen / $10 Youth & Student</font></b></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><font class="x_Apple-style-span" face="Arial">In the same spirit as SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK®, the career of
<b style="">Dr. Myrlie Evers-Williams</b>—civil rights activist, journalist, and wife of slain civil rights leader, Medgar Evers—demonstrates the transformative power of committed individuals.
<b style="">Her keynote speech at the Culminating Celebration in Krannert Center’s Foellinger Great Hall on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at 7:30pm</b> will connect the emancipation journey to the American Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, today’s
ongoing struggles for equality, and the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Medgar Evers’ assassination. Pratt-Clarke shared that “Dr. Evers-Williams’ long history of service in the pursuit of justice enables her to be a powerful voice for the importance of leadership,
service, and advocacy. We are thrilled that she will be able to share her journey with us here at Illinois. In addition to her keynote, the Culminating Celebration will include a musical tribute to Medgar Evers; spiritual arrangements by the Black Chorus;
as well as a performance of the <i style="">Lincoln Portrait</i> with the Illinois Wind Symphony.” </font></p>
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<div>Bridget Lee-Calfas</div>
<div>Advertising and Publicity Director</div>
<div>Krannert Center for the Performing Arts</div>
<div>500 South Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801</div>
<div><a href="mailto:bklee@illinois.edu">bklee@illinois.edu</a></div>
<div>217/333-6282</div>
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