Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events

Hundreds of events around the country are dedicated to celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 15. Check your local events page.

Can’t get out? Listen to Michael Eric Dyson’s radio interview with Charles Johnson, the author of Dreamer, a novel on Martin Luther King, Jr. Check listings for The Michael Eric Dyson Show’s schedule in your area or listen online.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration January 15, 4 - 6 p.m., Strathmore Mansion, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. King is honored with world class music. The keynote speaker is the first African American to walk in space, former NASA astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. The event is free, but due to limited seating tickets must be reserved.

"When Peace was the Prize" January 15, 2 p.m., Seattle Center's Center House, 305 Harrison St., Seattle, Washington.

This is a staged reading of Martin Luther King Jr.'s acceptance speech for the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, presented by Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas. The reading is repeated twice at Seattle University: January 21 at 2 p.m. at Pigott Auditorium and January 22 at 7 p.m. at Schafer Auditorium in Lemieux Library. For more information phone 206-323-4032.

Living Voices: The Right to Dream January 15, performances at 1 and 3 p.m. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, California (310)-553-8403.

A discussion follows each performance. Admission is free but call for reservations. The museum is also featuring a display of the Los Angeles Ribet Academy's art department director, Phung Huynh Weiner's high school students’ works of art depicting Dr. King's contributions to U.S. history and society.

Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner, January 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia.

Volunteer to feed the homeless. For more information call 404-755-3353 ext 305.

Martin Luther King Parade and Festival January 15, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

After a parade down Sistrunk Boulevard, a festival is held at the park to honor Dr. King. For more information call (954)-791-1036.

"Quilombo Country” Monday, January 15, 7 p.m. Tribes Gallery, 285 East Third Street, New York City.

Quilombo Films is previewing this new film about modern-day quilombos, This special preview screening features the film’s new narration by hip-hop legend Chuck D of the band Public Enemy. In Brazil, largely unknown to the outside world, today communities of former slaves, quilombos, struggle to preserve a rich heritage born of resistance to oppression. A discussion follows the screening.

MLK Day Event with Jearlyn Steele January 15, Noon, University of Indianapolis, Ransburg Auditorium, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Nationally known gospel singer and radio host Jearlyn Steele speaks and performs at the university’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. She is accompanied by her pianist brother, Billy Steele, a member of the Grammy Award-winning group Sounds of Blackness.

“Come Share the Dream” January 15, 10:30 a.m. Howard Gilman Opera House, Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette, Brooklyn, New York.

BAM hosts the 21st annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.— Come Share the Dream, a Celebration of the Music of the Civil Rights Movement. It features Rutha Harris, Black Rock Coalition Orchestra, The Full Effect Gospel Ministries Mass Choir, and hip-hop performance artist Will Power.

The Walters Art Museum, January 15, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., 600 North Charles Street,Baltimore, Maryland

Learn about Dr. King and other influential African American heroes through activities in the Family Art Center. Watch Dr. King's “I Have a Dream” speech and a cartoon about his life. The museum is also presenting free docent-led tours of The Image of the Black in Art (11:30 a.m., 1 p.m.), Ancient Egypt (noon), The Chamber of Art and Wonders (12:30 p.m.). Meet in the Centre Street lobby for tours.

Annual “Marade” and Martin Luther King, Jr., yearbook signing January 15, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Martin Luther King Memorial site in City Park, 2100 Steele St., Denver, Colorado, ending at the Capitol.

This and other event activities are available. Check listings.