Martin Luther King Day is coming and the memories and aspirations of the day and the man find unusually fine expression in Baba King, a production of Akil Marshall's Dance Afrika Dance.

As Marshall sees it, the civil rights movement began in Africa. "As soon as people realized their loved ones were missing, they longed for their return and that was the beginning of the civil rights movement." Such a perspective implies an underlying oneness among African and African-American people and culture, a thesis D.A.D. has been living out in its performances since 1992, paradoxically keeping the African and African-American distinct while often presenting both on the same stage and through the same performers.

We saw an earlier incarnation of Baba King at the Allen Theatre in May of 2004. Acting, singing, dancing and drumming created a collage in which the African was confidently juxtaposed with the African-American struggle for civil rights. Ambitious as this theater piece is, it has a way of not over reaching, allowing the mostly local performers to shine as a worthy foil to the inspiring historical personages and events evoked in readings and photographs.

Resources and personnel can be expected to vary but we know that Director Tony Sias, Artistic Director and Choreographer Sister Saidah Mitchell, Musical Director Brother Olugbala Manns and New York based vocalist Cenithia Selinas remain on board; on Mon 1/17 1PM at the Palace Theatre. Tickets are complimentary and available at Playhouse Square Ticket Office, 1519 Euclid Avenue. from Cool Cleveland contributors Victor Lucas and Elsa Johnson vicnelsa@earthlink.net (:divend:)