MLK Shake

Typically serene Severance Hall becomes a raucous gospel revival house for tonight's 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert. During the musical tribute, James Rose, a mentor for the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra, will talk about his work with the national Sphinx Competition to track down talented minority musicians. This year's winner, 21-year-old Elena Urioste, will then play the violin with guest conductor Chelsea Tipton II and the Cleveland Orchestra. The program will continue with classical, spiritual, and gospel pieces by the 125-member Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Central State University choruses. And Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson will wrap up the night by handing out the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Community Service Award. "It's a fabulous, uplifting spiritual concert," says Kathy Pahr, the orchestra's spokeswoman. "It's great clapping and raise-the-roof music." The roof is raised at 6 tonight at Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved online at www.clevelandorchestra.com.
Sun., Jan. 20, 6 p.m., 2008