> At a Glance
> – The 43rd Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement Concert hits Dallas on January 18 at 7:30 p.m.
> – Performers include American Idol finalist Canaan James Hill, Sunday Best winners Jessica Reedy & Crystal Aikin, plus TBAAL’s 100-voice choir
> – A student-only matinee runs January 16 at 10 a.m. inside Fair Park’s Women’s Museum
> – Why it matters: The five-time Lone Star Emmy-winning show keeps Dr. King’s legacy alive through narration, dance and live music
Dallas marks Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend with a landmark stage tribute that fuses civil-rights history with powerhouse vocals and dance. NBC 5, Telemundo 39 and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) are teaming up to present the city’s longest-running concert honoring King’s life and activism.
Concert Details
The flagship performance lands at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2501 Flora Street, on Sunday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster or by calling (214) 743-2400.
A separate student show opens the weekend: Friday, January 16, 10 a.m. at TBAAL’s temporary Fair Park home inside The Women’s Museum. That session is designed for school groups and young learners.
Star-Studded Lineup
Audiences can expect dramatic readings and choreography anchored by a live choir and chart-topping gospel voices:
- Canaan James Hill – season-nine American Idol finalist
- Jessica Reedy – Sunday Best and Stellar Award winner
- Crystal Aikin – Sunday Best and Stellar Award winner
- TBAAL Concert Choir – 100 voices strong
The production walks viewers through the 1960s Civil Rights Movement while celebrating King’s enduring impact on American culture.
Ticket Options
| Ticket outlet | How to buy |
|---|---|
| Ticketmaster | Online at ticketmaster.com |
| Phone | Call (214) 743-2400 |
| Prices | Vary by seating section |
Organizers recommend early purchase; the annual event regularly sells out.
Key Takeaways
- The 43rd annual show is one of the most decorated local broadcasts, earning five Lone Star Emmy Awards
- Two performances serve different audiences: a student matinee on January 16 and the public gala on January 18
- Proceeds support TBAAL’s year-round arts-education programs across North Texas
Whether you sing along in the choir seats or watch history unfold on stage, the concert offers a moving reminder that music and activism still echo from the same heartbeat.
