For more than two decades, Ridgefielders have gathered on this, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, to celebrate and honor the courageous civil rights leader who would have been 88 years old today.
The free community event, which was started by Ridgefield resident Mark Robinson and First Selectman Rudy Marconi, has grown tremendously over the years, with humble beginnings in the basement of Town Hall.
Today, hundreds of residents gathered in The Ridgefield Playhouse for an afternoon of spirit, song, and reflection. “We are celebrating a day on, not a day off,” said First Selectman, Rudy Marconi, who spoke of the importance of volunteerism and service to others.
Mark Robinson reflected on Dr. King and asked the audience to “spend a few minutes reflecting on Dr. King."
He spoke of the November presidential election saying, “In the name of God, I don’t know how we got here.” “You can not say you believe in Dr. King’s dream and then build a wall. You can’t make American great again and not care about everyone else,” Robinson said.
The afternoon included soulful and uplifting performances by Broadway’s Daniel Levine and Bryan Perri as well as The Ridgefield Chorale, The Serendipity Chorale, Kimberly Wilson, Ridgefield A Better Chance and Carolyn Smith and Daniela Rodriguez from Keys, a non-profit organization that brings music education to underserved inner city children.
A highlight of today's event was bestowing the Spirit of Dr. King award upon Daniela Sikora, Director of The Ridgefield Chorale and presenting a special posthumous Spirit of Dr. King award to the family of Tom Belote.
“There is no other person more deserving of this award this year than Daniela,” said Marconi. A talented arranger, composer, and conductor, Sikora, launched the Being Human, Being Kind community initiative as Ridgefield’s “Reply to Violence” - bringing attention to bullying through powerful programs and musical compositions. In addition to her work with The Ridgefield Chorale, Sikora shares her time and talent with Founders Hall