See & Do List 

Every Great Dream Begins with a Dreamer

Dr. King has been a beacon of hope to people the world over since he decided to steadfastly follow a course of action that would lead to his untimely death at age 39. As the voice of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King spurned a nation into consciousness by teaching that men and women should "not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Even though America has fallen way short of your ideal (see the Hurricane Katrina debacle), we honor you, Dr. King, for your faith that we would all reap the benefits.

Saturday, January 13

The Charlotte City Council unveils the renaming of Second Street as "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard." 10 a.m.

Terrence J., co-host of BET's 106 and Park, serves as parade marshal for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade. Featuring local and regional high school and university marching bands, look for West Charlotte and Johnson C. Smith, steppers, social and community service organizations, and political and religious leaders, the parade begins at Mint and Second Streets at 11 a.m. and ends at Marshall Park. For more information, call 704-336-5271.

Sunday, January 14

Hickory Grove Baptist Church and Nations Ford Community Church host the second annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Worship Service. Meant to "bring together the Charlotte community in the spirit of unity," this event will be held on the main campus of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 6050 Hickory Grove Rd, at 6 p.m.

Monday, January 15

The 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast presented by the H.L. McCrorey Family YMCA will be held at The Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College St, at 7 a.m. Funds raised from this event will support the YMCA's community outreach campaign. Tickets are $20. Call 704-716-6510 for more information.

What better way to work off that big breakfast than engaging in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pilgrim March? Participants led by Jaye Delai, Q92.7 Radio Host, will take a thirty-minute march from the Westin at 8:30 a.m. to Marshall Park to observe the Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony.

As the morning winds down, Dr. King's National Holiday Celebration kicks off at the Charlotte Convention Center at 11 a.m. Terrence J. will give the keynote address over the event which will showcase music, drama and recognition of CMS Arts and Writing Contest winners.

The Charlotte Symphony presents its 9th annual Daybreak of Freedom community concert tonight in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Belk Theater. Catrina Pegues, of "Gimme the Mike! Charlotte 2004" fame, will be singing. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5-$30 and can be purchase by calling 704-972-2000.

-- compiled by Branna Calloway

Thursday, January 11

The Curse of the Hope Diamond has made it the most visited museum object in the world. Dr. Richard Kurin, director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, will present a look at the 67-carat stone and the history that surrounds it. The evening begins at 7 p.m. and includes a Q & A session. Free with admission to the Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, N.C. Call 704-866-6900 or go to www.schielemuseum.org for more information. -- Calloway

Geeks rejoice! Scott, McCloud, the scholar behind best-selling books like Understanding Comics and Reinventing Comics will make his only trip to the Carolinas tonight, lecturing to folks at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. Sounds heady, eh? Hey, if you're a real comic guy, you'll love it! 7 p.m. in Tillman Auditorium on the Winthrop campus. Admission is $10. -- Carlton Hargro

Friday, January 12

You might call it witchcraft. "Old Blue Eyes" is young again as Steve Lippia joins the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in A Tribute to Sinatra at Belk Theater. Lippia salutes the pre-eminent pre-Elvis American idol with a parade of Frank's biggest hits, including "My Way" and "New York, New York." Victor Vanacore conducts the CSO Pops concert, beginning at 8 p.m. with a Saturday evening encore at the same time. Tickets are priced at $16-$65, but students with ID can latch onto the best remaining seats for $7.50 with Student Rush Tickets, on sale one hour before showtime. Call 704-972-2000, or click www.charlottesymphony.org. -- Perry Tannenbaum

Her music career began just like Michael Jackson's -- in that she also joined the family band at age five. Sara Evans' star rose with the release of Real Fine Place, which garnered her a CMA nom for "Female Vocalist of the Year." She was also named to People's "50 Most Beautiful People" list for 2005 and was the first county music singer to compete on ABC's Dancing with the Stars before leaving citing "personal reasons." She'll be at Ovens Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $31.75. www.ticketmaster.com. -- Calloway

Saturday, January 13

How fitting is it that a choir that got its start from a celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would perform here during the MLK weekend? Charlotte, you must turn out to hear the harmonies of the world famous Harlem Gospel Choir! Last year, the choir celebrated its 20th anniversary bringing people & nations together & giving something back. Listen as "the finest singers and musicians" from the Black churches of Harlem share a part of the African-American culture through gospel music. There will be two concerts today in Spirit Square's McGlohon Theatre at 3 & 8 p.m. For tickets, call 704-372-1000. -- Calloway