A King, A Singer and A President
By Eve M. Ferguson
Among the many activities the National Capital area offers in celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Kennedy Center’s annual free concert featuring musical talent of note has always been a destination as well as a commemoration of the late civil rights leader’s legacy. For the hundreds who made the effort to stand in long lines for tickets for the premiere concert by singer/songwriter India.Arie, the wait had an added bonus. Streaming through metal detectors might have been a cue that someone was there who warranted extra security. But few realized that someone was President Barack Obama accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, who was celebrating her 46th birthday on January 19th, along with their daughters Sasha and Malia.
India. Arie
Photo By: Eve M. Ferguson
Georgetown University President John De Gioia ushered in the 2010 recipient and the namesake of the annual Coach John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award for humanitarian work, which this year went to former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo for his work through the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. When DeGioia announced that Michelle Obama was in the house, a collective gasp went through the audience as all heads turned toward the presidential box high above the crowd. But when it was revealed that the president would introduce Mutombo, cheers broke out as many got their first sighting of the 44th president in person, almost one year to the day since he took the oath of office.
Clearly, the presence of such power also affected Arie, who took the stage after two songs performed by the Let Freedom Ring chorus, assembled annually by Rev. Nolan Williams, Jr. and Georgetown University. Looking royal herself in a glittering orange flowing top and sleek black dress, Arie acknowledged the privilege of playing for the president, and didn’t disappoint the audience.
Nominated for three Grammy’s for her latest Testimony Vol. 2: Love & Politics, Arie opened her hour-long set with Israeli world music star Idan Raichel, to perform his composition, “The Water,” impressively sung by Arie in Hebrew. She immediately transitioned to her hit “He Heals Me,” poignantly accompanied on piano by Raichel. She would also call on stage another world music up-and-coming performer, Dobhe Gnahore of the Ivory Coast, to accompany her on Sade’s “Pearls,” interspliced by the chorus from Gnahore’s song “Palea.”
The soulful duet left Arie in tears as she admitted being “so excited, honored and overwhelmed” to be a part of the legendary celebration.
Singing in her finest form, and ultimately picking up her guitar for her hit “Strength, Courage and Wisdom,” from her debut album Acoustic Soul, those who yearned to hear a string of her beloved songs were not let down. With two powerful backup singers, she did an a cappella version of “Complicated Melody” dedicated to “all the men out there,” followed by “Good Man,” dedicated to American troops fighting abroad. Quoting Stevie Wonder, Arie dedicated “The Cure” to the late singer Syreeta Wright who was married to Wonder.
Arie left the stage momentarily, but was called back for an encore. Donning colorful butterfly wings, she ended the night with “There’s Hope,” the song that was included in the 2008 Obama campaign, earning a look of satisfaction and approval from the president, while Michelle mouthed the words and danced.
|
Subscribe securely online and/or order back issues:
CLICK HERE
|
