Explore Lexington’s history by taking part in History Hop on President’s Day, sponsored by 250Lex.

 “Sanctuary Road” is a one-hour opera using the words of William Still (English-language libretto), who recounted the stories and dangerous journeys taken by enslaved people seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 7 & 8, and at 2 p.m., March 9, at the Lexington Opera House.

“This is a year of celebration for Lexington,” Gorton said. “I am thrilled 250Lex is partnering with UK Opera Theatre to bring the important story of William Still and the Underground Railroad to life through its production of ‘Sanctuary Road.’ This is a part of Lexington’s history. Throughout the year, we are focused on telling the stories, and listening to the past and present voices of our community.”

Started in 1955, UK Opera Theatre has become a nationally recognized opera program. This is largely due to the work and vision of the program’s current director, Dr. Everett McCorvey, who has been at UK since 1991, and has served as director of the opera program since 1997.

“I’m excited and extremely honored to be able to bring this story to our Lexington community,” McCorvey said. “The story of William Still is the story of triumph, perseverance and truth. Many people know of Harriet Tubman; for me, William Still’s story was also very rewarding and uplifting. To add to this, over 100 years later, his descendants – Valerie Still and Art Still – came to UK and became two of the greatest athletes to ever play at UK. It just adds more beauty to this incredible story. Many people may not also know that one of the first recognized African American composers in the classical world was William Grant Still, also a descendant of the William Still family. And to know that some of this story happened at Cheapside, right here in Lexington … it’s a dramatic twist to this already incredible story. I’m deeply appreciative to the Mayor’s Office, the 250Lex Commission, the University of Kentucky Community Relations Office, University of Kentucky Women & Philanthropy, and OperaLex for helping us bring this important story to Lexington during the 250th anniversary of the founding of our great city.”

“Sanctuary Road” also tells the story of Peter Still, the brother of William Still, who was sold into slavery in Lexington.

“As we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Lexington, I’m thrilled that part of this year-long celebration is the recognition and honoring of the Still family in Lexington with UK Opera Theatre presenting ‘Sanctuary Road’,” Valerie Still said. “Most Kentuckians know my brother, Art, and I as the University of Kentucky’s most dominant brother and sister athletic superstars. But the Still family legacy is much more than that! It is a legacy of faith, freedom, fellowship and family. It is a legacy of self-respect, self-awareness, self-sovereignty and self-empowerment. It is a legacy of fearless, altruistic superstars! My great-great granduncles, Levin Jr. and Peter, as boys, were sold to a man in Lexington, shortly after the city was established. Their youngest brother, William, would eventually become the most important and powerful abolitionist in the operation of the Underground Railroad. Over 170 years later, I accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Kentucky. ‘Sanctuary Road’ tells our story. I am inviting all my Kentucky family, and friends, and family across the USA, to join me on this most auspicious weekend, and share an historic happening together with my brother and me. This story is one that unites, inspires, uplifts, empowers and reminds us that we all are superstars…pure, positive, peaceful, powerful, unlimited energy.”

“Sanctuary Road” was created by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec, and Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning librettist/lyricist Mark Campbell. UK Opera Theatre’s production stars Lexington’s Michael Preacely as William Still, and is directed by Dennis Whitehead Darling. Each performance of “Sanctuary Road” will be followed by a talkback with members of the cast and creative team. Ticket purchases can be made at https://finearts.uky.edu/music/sanctuary-road.

The 250Lex Commission, co-chaired by Eunice Beatty and Kip Cornett, has worked over the past 15 months to bring a full year of events and programming that tell the story of Lexington’s 250-year history.

“Sanctuary Road” tells the story of the quest for freedom during slavery,” Beatty said. “William Still, an African-American, acted on behalf of many searching for a safe haven from the struggles and wrongful treatment of slavery. While today many try to imagine the life during those times—music and song connects this journalistic story in a way that all people feel the power and prayer of a time in history bound with inhuman treatment. 250Lex is honored to support ‘Sanctuary Road’ as a Community Cultural Grant recipient, as Lexington celebrates 250 years.”

Find more information and an events calendar at www.250lex.com.