FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            January 9, 2008

BETTYE LAVETTE TO HEADLINE CARY ’S ANNUAL MLK DREAMFEST CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY

Dramatic Interpreter Mike Wiley and ONE SONG also featured

CARY, NC – She has been hailed as one of the greatest soul singers in American music history, and now Cary is pleased to welcome Bettye LaVette to the Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave. on Saturday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the annual MLK Dreamfest Celebration that will also feature dramatist Mike Wiley and Vision United.  Tickets to the event are still available for $18 (adults), $16 (seniors 55 and older), and $15 (children 12 and under) at the Community Center or at Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or (919) 834-4000.

Discovered at the age of 16 by the legendary Johnnie Mae Matthews, Bettye LaVette’s first single was the swinging “My Man--He’s a Loving Man.”  LaVette next hit the charts with the Dee Dee Ford penned “Let Me Down Easy” in 1965.  Over the next three-plus decades, she cut a string of consistently strong singles for Big Wheel, Silver Fox, SSS, TCA, Atco, Epic, West End , Motown and Bar/None.  She is also known for the R&B hit “Right in the Middle (Of Falling in Love).”

Opening for Ms. Lavette will be a powerful, one-man dramatic interpretation of Brown vs. Board of Education performed by Mike Wiley.  Formerly of Theatre IV and Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, Wiley frequently performs for young audiences, plus film, television and regional theatre. A gifted playwright and actor, his overriding goal is expanding cultural awareness through dynamic portrayal of pivotal events to unveil a richer picture of the American experience.

“Don’t’ miss this opportunity to witness the talents of Lavette and Wiley in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy,“ said Performing Arts Coordinator Sarah Bunch.  “Each year, this event draws together people from all backgrounds and ages, and we’re looking forward to seeing our community come together once again for this special tribute.”

Returning to the event this year is Vision United’s presentation of ONE SONG.  The ONE SONG/Dream of Inspiration program consists of various individual, ensemble and choral performers singing one song in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement.  For more, visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamfest section of www.townofcary.org.

The Marvelous Music Series concludes on Friday, April 11, 2008 with QuinTango.  For more, visit Marvelous Music Series at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.

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