Belafonte will screen film for MLK celebration

On Monday, Turner Classic Movies paid tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of special films. One was “Odds Against Tomorrow.”

Harry Belafonte produced the 1959 movie, in which he starred as a bank robber who was forced to work with a racist white partner. In the end, both died in a fiery explosion. Police could not distinguish one from the other.

On Tuesday, Belafonte — the legendary singer; actor; political, social and civil rights activist; and friend of Dr. King — will be in Charlottesville as part of the keynote event of the Community MLK Celebration.

The Paramount Theater will host a screening of the recent HBO documentary of Belafonte’s career, “Sing Your Song,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Belafonte and Julian Bond, who also appears in the film, will discuss the documentary and Belafonte’s new memoir. “My Song” was published by Knopf in October. A book signing will follow.

UVa professor and Pulitzer Prize winner Rita Dove will introduce the special guests.

The introductions could take a while, because Belafonte’s accomplishments are many.

Known by many as the King of Calypso, he has a collection of awards that span the genres. He owns a collection of Grammys and was the first black man to win an Emmy. He has countless films and theatrical productions to his credits, and he has spent much of his life promoting human rights.

The new documentary charts his life as a boy born in New York and raised in Jamaica who returns to Harlem after serving in the Navy during World War II.

He and Sidney Poitier became friends. The two loved the theater, but couldn’t afford the prices, so they were known to buy one ticket and trade places between the acts.

The friends both attended the American Negro Theater, where their classmates included Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis.

His successes were many.

He started in theater but became a crossover hit as a singer.

In 1968, he also garnered considerable headlines for his appearance on Petula Clark’s TV special. During a duet, she reached out and touched his arm. It was big news back in the day. Sponsors were nervous at the contact between a black man and a white woman, but Clark insisted that it be left in the show.

Times have changed, but Belafonte’s activism and have not.

In 1985, he helped organize the Grammy Award-winning song “We Are the World,” a multi-artist effort to raise funds for African famine relief. He also performed in Live Aid.

Belafonte was the first African-American to win an Emmy in 1960 for his TV special, “Tonight with Harry Belafonte.” He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.

He also has shared his successes.

He provided financially for King’s family. He helped to finance the Freedom Rides and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee.

In his new memoir, Belafonte reflects on his life. Not only exploring his career as a singer and actor, the book also delves into his relationships with prominent politicians and activists, including King, John F. Kennedy Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro.

Along with the film and the book, Belafonte also had a new companion CD released in October — “Sing Your Song: The Music.” It chronicles his musical career and features some of his most memorable works, including “The Banana Boat Song (Day O),” “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” and duets with Odetta, “A Hole in the Bucket” and Malaika (My Angel).”

Tuesday’s Community MLK Celebration is a community-wide effort. The free event is staged by the University of Virginia’s Office for Diversity and Equity, the Paramount Theater, the Virginia Film Festival, the Virginia Festival of the Book and the UVa Office of the Vice President for Human Resources.

Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 5 p.m.

There also will be a special screening of “Sing Your Song” for local middle and high school students and teachers at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Belafonte and Larry Sabato will hold a discussion following the screening at CHS. Any area educators who would like to attend the morning show should contact Jane Freeman with the Virginia Film Festival’s Outreach and Education Program or visit www.virginiafilmfestival.org.

 The University of Virginia is commemorating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events that will run through the end of the month. Other featured events include programs dedicated to Henry Martin, who was known as the UVa bell ringer.

Other events include:

Wednesday

» Panel discussion and luncheon: “The Enduring Legacy of Henry Martin and Other Enslaved Laborers at UVa,” noon, auditorium of the Harrison Institute and Small Special Collections Library.

Born into slavery at Monticello on July 4, 1826 — the day Thomas Jefferson died — Martin worked in slavery and then as a free man at the university for approximately 53 years.

» An event to honor Henry Martin, featuring speakers and First Presbyterian Church Handbell Choir. 5:30 p.m., Rotunda

Thursday

» Film: “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin,” 7 p.m., Nau Hall, Room 101.

Rustin was the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.

Jan. 27

» The UVa a cappella singing choir Black Voices celebrates its 40th anniversary, 7 p.m., Newcomb Hall Ballroom.

Jan. 31

» Michael Cody and Julian Bond, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Caplin Pavilion, Law School.

Since 1961, Cody has worked for the law firm of Burch, Porter and Johnson, which represented King during the Memphis sanitation workers’ march in 1968.