We Shall Overcome

• Presented By: Hylton Performing Arts Center
• Dates: January 20, 2019
• Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center
• Address: 10960 George Mason Circle, MS 5D2, Manassas, VA 20109
• Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Hear the compelling words of the great Martin Luther King, Jr. interwoven with incredible music created by African-American artists during the Civil Rights movement in this inspired production. Conceived and created by the accomplished musical artist Damien Sneed, We Shall Overcome blends actual recordings of Dr. King’s speeches with music from African-American traditions, tying together a lineage of music and culture that includes traditional gospel, modern gospel, classical, jazz, Broadway, and spirituals. From his seat at the piano, Sneed—an award-winning recording artist and a recipient of the prestigious Sphinx Medal of Excellence—guides the audience through this cultural journey, introducing soloists and sharing personal anecdotes, all accompanied by a choir and an instrumental ensemble. The artists fluidly cover a remarkable breadth of musical ground while celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King. They perform traditional spirituals, as well as a broad range of music from luminaries like Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Donny Hathaway. “Damien Sneed is an ambassador for classical and gospel music…he uses his artistry to make our world a better place.” (Wynton Marsalis)