Martin Luther King Day events: How to mark MLK’s legacy
Make the most of your time off. Mark the civil-rights leader's achievements at performances, programming and Martin Luther King Day celebrations in New York.
Fri Jan 18 2013
Photograph: Elena Olivo
Since it was first observed nationwide in 1986, the holiday commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has served as a reminder of his legacy—to the causes of civil rights, nonviolent opposition and community service. There are plenty of events to check out on the day itself and over the weekend, including live-music tributes, museum exhibits, readings and more. And to help round out your day, we've picked a few more things to do, too.
Martin Luther King Day events on the day
27th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Critics choice
- Free
Acclaimed singer/songwriter/actor (and personal friend of MLK) Harry Belafonte is the keynote speaker at BAM’s yearly celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Following the speech are performances by the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir and Kindred The Family Soul as well as an art show by students from the Saratoga Village Community Center. Plus, since this year's MLK Day coincides with President Obama's inauguration, families can stick around for a live stream of the ceremony.
- BAM Howard Gilman Opera House 30 Lafayette Ave, between Ashland Pl and St. Felix St
- Until Mon Jan 21
"The Dream Continues: Photographs of Martin Luther King Murals by Vergara"
- Critics choice
Camilo José Vergara photographed murals of Martin Luther King while traveling around the U.S. in the years after the civil-rights leader's assassination. The works combine iconic poses with the cultural sensibilities of the artist and the influence of the neighborhood in which the painting is located. Note, N-YHS is normally closed on Mondays but is open on Martin Luther King Day.
- New-York Historical Society 170 Central Park West, between 76th and 77th Sts
- Sun May 5
Tongues Untied, True Tales Told: African-American Women Changing the Picture in Film and Television
- Critics choice
See excerpts from Barbara Montgomery's upcoming film Mitote, about three turn-of-the-20th-century African-American women, as part of the museum's Martin Luther King Day programming. Montgomery discusses the project and the process of reviving other untold stories with its actors S. Epatha Merkerson and Ruby Dee.
- Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35th Ave, at 37th St, 11106
- Until Mon Jan 21
Artists Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.
- Critics choice
- Free
For its annual observance, the JCC in Manhattan gathers a range of performers who incorporate King’s vision into their work. Witness a cross-cultural exchange between composer Anthony Coleman, operatic singerAnthony Russell and klezmer clarinetist Michael Winograd, and hear music from Catherine Russell & Her Band.
- Symphony Space 2537 Broadway, at 95th St, 10025
- Until Mon Jan 21
Marc Cary Focus Trio
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Pianist Marc Cary hails from Washington, D.C., where he cut his teeth playing in go-go bands before jumping to NYC and landing in singer Abbey Lincoln's group. His current trio's focus is postbop of the knotty variety; here, joined by unnamed special guests, he and his band honor Martin Luther King Jr.
- Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (at Frederick P. Rose Hall) 33 W 60th St, at Broadway
- Until Mon Jan 21
Living Colour + 24-7 Spyz + Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber + Ronny Drayton + Nona Hendryx and more
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Two iconic, local metal bands—the soul-soaked Living Colour and groovy, funk-infused 24-7 Spyz—get together for a Martin Luther King Day concert benefiting Donovan Drayton, the unconvicted but imprisoned son of big-deal guitarist Ronny Drayton, also appearing.
- Highline Ballroom 431 W 16th St, between Ninth and Tenth Aves
- Until Mon Jan 21
Harlem Gospel Choir
- Price band: 2/4
Formed in 1986, the Harlem Gospel Choir has an impressive crossover résumé, having worked with U2 (on Rattle and Hum), Diana Ross and Jimmy Cliff. The group’s performances are exuberant, to say the least—as you'd expect from the slogan, "Get your dose of the Holy Ghost"—and today the group plays a special Martin Luther King Day matinee.
- B.B. King Blues Club & Grill 237 W 42nd St, between Seventh and Eighth Aves
- Until Mon Jan 21
Annual MLK Day Commemorative March
- Free
Join eighth-graders from Manhattan Country School as they lead a peace-minded walk through Manhattan. The students will stop at points related to the issue of civil rights to give public speeches they wrote for the occasion; sites include the ASPCA, the 92nd Street Y and the Museum of the City of New York. The walk starts at Gracie Mansion and ends at Manhattan Country School. For details, visit manhattancountryschool.org.
- Various locations
- Mon Jan 21
Martin Luther King Day events over the weekend
The TIPA Project
- Critics choice
- Free
Since 1982, Stanley Tannen's Toward International Peace Through the Arts project has produced readings featuring significant talent, and this MLK-themed event is no exception. David Strathairn, Frances Sternhagen and Fritz Weaver read excerpts from speeches by Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Barack Obama and others.
- St. Luke's Church 308 W 46th St, between Eighth and Ninth Aves
- Fri Jan 18
Talib Kweli
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Indie-hip-hop titan Talib Kweli plays with a full backing band in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gil Scott-Heron—and if there's a man up to that tall order, it just might be this iconic local rapper.
"The Dream Continues: Photographs of Martin Luther King Murals by Vergara"
- Critics choice
Camilo José Vergara photographed murals of Martin Luther King while traveling around the U.S. in the years after the civil-rights leader's assassination. The works combine iconic poses with the cultural sensibilities of the artist and the influence of the neighborhood in which the painting is located.
- New-York Historical Society 170 Central Park West, between 76th and 77th Sts
- Sun May 5
Other things to do on Martin Luther King Day
Ellie Goulding + St. Lucia
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Electro-savvy British pop lass Ellie Goulding celebrates the unstoppable "Lights" and her current sophomore LP, Halcyon, with a sold-out two-night stand at Terminal 5.
- Terminal 5 610 W 56th St, at Eleventh Ave
- Tue Jan 22
Todd Barry
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Todd Barry has guest-starred on innumerable network and cable comedies, and been featured on almost every late-night talk show. His acerbic wit, deadpan delivery and wickedly smart punch lines will win you over, too.
- Union Hall 702 Union St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves
- Until Sat Apr 6
Movement Research at the Judson Church
- Critics choice
- Free
Movement Research resumes its series of free, experimental dance held nearly every Monday night at Judson Church. Program: Jin-Ju Song-Begin, Barbara Mahler, Nadia Tykulsker and Larissa Velez-Jackson.
- Judson Memorial Church 55 Washington Sq South, at Thompson St
- Mon Jan 21
L.A. on the Hudson
Three Los Angeles-based writers with recent titles—Jim Krusoe (Parsifal), Dylan Landis (Normal People Don't Live Like This) and Janice Shapiro (Bummer and Other Stories)—share the bill.
“The History of the Graphic Novel”
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
This two-day class delves into the history of illustrated stories, from the comic books of the ’40s to the genre’s evolution into long-form narratives with adult subject matter. Sarah McDaniel Dyer, the editor-in-chief of “nerd publishing start-up” Old Timey Hedgehog, discusses how the medium got to where it is today, and why comics are worth studying.
- Brooklyn Brainery 515 Court St, at 9th St
- Mon Jan 28
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