University students and members of the local community showcased their talents with song, dance, instrumentals and spoken word to honor Dr. King’s legacy at the School of Music, Thursday night.Talent included India Arie covers, a lyrical dance, a saxophone instrumental and “Get on Board”, a satirical monologue from the book “Colored Museum.”Approximately 250 people attended the event, which was free.The event was a way for students to express what King means to them through a particular talent, said Cerise Edmonds, coordinator from the Office of Multicultural Affairs.”The performing arts is a thing that overtime brings people together,” said Christopher Jones, mathematics sophomore and member of the MLK Commemorative Committee. “Dancers dance. They don’t look at color. Singers sing. They don’t look at color or shape.”During King’s lifetime, he advocated the performing arts as a way for people to express unspoken issues, Edmonds said.The event, which was sponsored by the  Office of Multicultural Affairs, the University bookstore, Mellow Mushroom and Raising Cane’s, was the final program for MLK month.”It’s a way to end with fun and let the students showcase what they can do best,” Edmonds said.The performing arts give a face to minorities, said Taylor James-Lightner, chemical engineering freshman.The MLK Commemorative Committee began planning the event in September and performers auditioned in November, Jones said.The committee worked hard to ensure that students and the community could “come together for this year’s theme of collective responsibility,” said Paige Chenier, human resources and leadership development sophomore and co-team leader of the MLK Committee. “It’s not color, but talent, that brings us together,” Chenier said.The ceremony was laid-back and audience members were supportive of the acts.When one performer’s voice cracked halfway through his song, the audience clapped and encouraged him to continue.Linda Smith Griffin, University associate librarian and member of the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus, said her main reason for attending the event was to support the MLK celebrations on campus.”I also want to support students as a faculty member and support the recipient of the MLK Humanitarian Scholarship Award,” she said.Halfway through the ceremony, the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus presented the Mistress of Ceremonies, Raimy Living, broadcast journalism senior, with the MLK Humanitarian Scholarship Award.The annual award goes to a student who demonstrates positive race relations. Living said it was “an honor to be awarded” and plans on continuing “good deeds.”The event, through the final MLK celebration, leads into February, which is Black History Month.—-Contact Victoria Yu at [email protected]