Ashe County Arts Council will be sponsoring a community celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson.

The featured performer for this event will be Mike Wiley, an actor based in North Carolina who has performed over 10 years in theatre, film and television. As playwright and actor, his overriding goal is expanding cultural awareness – for all audiences – through dynamic portrayal of pivotal events to unveil a richer picture of the American experience.

For the Martin Luther King Day Celebration, Wiley will perform excerpts from ‘The Parchman Hour’ commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders. Other highlights of the celebration will be students and community members reading essays, speeches and tributes highlighting the message of Dr. King and his teachings of peace, unity and equality in our society. Special music will be presented by a community chorus under the direction of Diane Bryan-Leeper.

The Martin Luther King Day celebration is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information please call 336-846-ARTS.