The Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations at Denison University present a six-part film series, documenting aspects of African-American life. Each film will be presented and hosted by a guest speaker, who will introduce the film and discuss it afterward. The first film in this series will be "Jubilee Singers: Sacrifice and Glory," with special guest faculty speaker, Raymond Wise, screened at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan.15, at Herrick Auditorium (500 West Loop).

The Fisk Jubilee Singers first performed in the late 1800s, singing ballads and patriotic anthems. In Oberlin, Ohio, responding to their director George White's suggestion, they added a few spirituals, their own sacred music, to the program. That concert proved to be a turning point in their history. Overwhelmingly well received, the Jubilee Singers went on to perform for royalty around the world. Today the Singers continue to move listeners with their music, which keeps the past alive and connects the emotions and strong faith of their ancestors with the people of the present.

Uniquely qualified to speak on this film, Wise is founder and president of Raise Productions, a gospel music production company in Columbus, Ohio. Raymond Wise also graduated from Denison in 1983 and now conducts the college's gospel choir. In addition, he teaches at the Ohio State University and the Columbus School for Girls.

Five subsequent films with faculty and other expert speakers will be presented on Jan. 30 and Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28.

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Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- MLK Jr. Film Series presents "Jubilee Singers," with faculty presenter Raymond Wise (music), 7 p.m., Tues., Jan. 15, at Herrick Auditorium (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. Contact Lisa Scott, (740) 587-6711, for more information.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Film Series, "Black Theatre: The Making of a Movement," with presenter Ron Pitts, (Ujima Theatre, Columbus), 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, Herrick Auditorium (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. For further information contact Lisa Scott at (740) 587-6711.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Film Series, "Freedom on My Mind," with faculty presenter John Jackson, (Black studies), 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, Herrick Auditorium (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. For further information contact Lisa Scott at (740) 587-6711.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Film Series, "Mr. and Mrs. Loving," with faculty presenter Eric Boehme (political science), 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, Herrick Auditorium (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. For further information contact Lisa Scott at (740) 587-6711.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Film Series, "Wild Women Don't Have the Blues," with faculty presenter Laurel Kennedy (communication), 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, Herrick Auditorium (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. For further information contact Lisa Scott at (740) 587-6711.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Film Series, "Strange Fruit," with faculty presenter Erika Molloseau (communication), 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, Herrick Auditorium (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. For further information contact Lisa Scott at (740) 587-6711.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575