The Whirl: Lichtin Plaza Unveiling

On Apr. 21, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts celebrated the newly enhanced Lichtin Plaza, its primary outdoor gathering space, during an official ceremony with city leaders, local officials, project partners and Omni Raleigh Hotel executives. The event included entertainment from the Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Symphony and Shaw University’s “Platinum Sound” Marching Band.

Shaw University’s “Platinum Sound” Marching Band performs in front of the Martin Marietta center for the performing arts
Platinum Sound
City leaders stand together in front of the performing arts center.
Jeff Doane, Janet Cowell, Marchell Adams-David, Denny Edwards
Guests stand in front of the performing arts center at the unveiling ceremony
Guests at the unveiling
Carolina Ballet dancers pose in front of the marietta performing arts center.
Carolina Ballet dancers

This article originally appeared in the August 2026 issue of WALTER magazine.

The Whirl