The Peace and Justice Committee of the Albert Lea Human Rights Commission will host a variety presentation at noon and 5 p.

Monday, January 14, 2002

The Peace and Justice Committee of the Albert Lea Human Rights Commission will host a variety presentation at noon and 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at the Albert Lea Civic Theatre. The presentation is part of the Martin Luther King Day celebration.

Nancy Hockenberry, a member of the variety presentation committee, said the idea behind the show is further &uot;flesh out&uot; the celebration in the community.

&uot;We want to make the community more aware and involve a few more people in honoring the day,&uot; Hockenberry said.

&uot;Discrimination is really a problem. In a small town, minorities don’t have the base of support that they do in the large cities,&uot; Hockenberry said. &uot;I challenge the people in this community: if you see discrimination, you should report it.

&uot;Someone once said to discriminate against someone for something they have no control over is the cruelest thing,&uot; she said.

For the approximately 30-minute presentation, Linda Lares will serve as master of ceremonies. Artwork by Bonnie Wedge will be on display at the theatre. There will be excerpts from King’s &uot;I Have A Dream&uot; speech, with some audience participation. George Marin will provide music, and Anne Ehrhardt will read poems of either Maya Angelou of Langston Hughes.

Charles Winslett of Owatonna and Glen Parsons will present an excerpt from &uot;Master Harold and the Boys.&uot; The presentation will end with the song, &uot;You Have to Be Carefully Taught&uot; from &uot;South Pacific.&uot;

Hockenberry said the committee chose to give the presentations at the Civic Theatre because historically, social issues have been first introduced through theatre productions.

For the noon production, people can bring a bag lunch and may eat it in the Green Room after the production, where they can talk about the presentation. Beverage and dessert will be furnished. Those who don’t wish to bring a bag lunch can call Gos-Sip at 373-4722 and arrange to pick up a sandwich. A Taste of the Big Apple will also have slices of pizza ready.

For the 5 p.m. performance, hot cider will be available in the lobby.

All ages are welcome at the free performance.

&uot;We’re hoping for a good turnout,&uot; Hockenberry said.

Members of the variety presentation committee include Hockenberry, Anne Ehrhardt, Glen and Pat Parsons, Joan Muschler, Lilah Aas, Jake Loper and Paul Goodnature.