Want to show your love for the arts this Valentine’s Day, while supporting a local leadership development program for middle and high school students?

Hearts 4 Art promises an evening music, art, poetry and dance, along with light refreshments – all to benefit the Meridian Freedom Project. The Feb. 14 event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Meridian Little Theatre, 4334 Highway 39 North.

The premiere event is presented by the Meridian cover band Aa’Keela & The Beats, whose catalog includes a blend of funk, soul, R&B, jazz, rock, gospel and everything in between.

“Meridian Little Theatre has entrusted me with this event. We’re trying something new and if it goes well, we’ll make it an annual event,” said MLT Board of Directors member Aa’Keela Hudnall, who also fronts the band that bears her name.

“And while it’s an opportunity to give singles and couples something different and fun to do for Valentine’s Day, it’s also a great opportunity to spread the word about such a worthwhile cause,” Hudnall said.

Through the Meridian Freedom Project, participating youth are taught what opportunities can offer to their lives.

“We teach our students that freedom doesn’t mean doing whatever you want to do. Freedom means you have choices,” said Anna Stephenson, director. “It’s important that our students one day graduate from high school and move forward in life knowing they have choices that have been created through their hard work, networking and the love and care of those in their lives.”

Participants commit to work from their point of entrance until they graduate from high school.

“We provide a lot of academic support, opportunities for creative expression and enrichment, health and fitness training and educational travel,” Stephenson said, adding that the program provides students opportunities both in and outside the classroom.

“Being a whole person is about more than being inside four walls all day,” she said. “This project allows us to create those opportunities, and make a lasting impression on a group of kids, their families and the community.”

And that is why, Hudnall said, Hearts 4 Art is showing love for the Meridian Freedom Project.

“They do such great work, often turning troubled kids around,” she said. “A lot of people in the community aren’t aware of this great organization and what they do. We hope to bring awareness to this program.”

A full night of entertainment is planned featuring artists representing various genres:

• Music – Several local singers and bands, including singer/songwriter Daniel Howze, vocalists N’spire Walker, Drew Towner and Kristian Hill, and Aa’Keela & The Beats.

• Art – Several artists from Meridian Museum Art will showcase their art, including Antonio Portis and Cary Haycox. Portis will also paint during the evening event.

• Poetry – Storyteller Da Terrence Roberts, spoken word artist Amicia Ramsey and other area spoken word artists.

• Dance – Leslie Lee and Stephen Thomas of Elegance Ballroom and Fitness Studio, as well as several dancers and dance groups from the Meridian area.

Tickets for Hearts 4 Art are $10, advance; $15 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the MLT Box Office at 601-482-6361 or email Aa’Keela Hudnall at aakeela.hudnall@gmail.com

• Hearts 4 Art is sponsored by Bo Haarala Autoplex of Meridian, New South Ford-Nissan, BMW of Meridian, Brickhaus Brewtique, Ed Chaney Tire Pros, Johnson Dodge Chrysler Jeep Kia, Joe Norwood and Mississippi Rep. Charles Young Jr.