Where To Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day In NYC
January 10, 2017 9:25 AM
Filed Under: Carly Petrone, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Eat.See.Play,
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, New York City, Play, See
Martin Luther King (AFP/Getty Images)
By Carly Petrone
This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, honor the man who fought for civil
rights, justice, and diversity for all Americans. Here are six
celebrations taking place in New York City.
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11213
718-735-4400
More: Best Indoor Playgrounds For Kids
Stop into the Brooklyn Children’s Museum on January 15 and 16 for
their MLK, Jr. “I Have A Dream” celebration. This two-day event will
bring together culture, fun, and families to share MLK’s legacy while
learning about the importance of diversity, equality, and rights. Kids
can create their own artwork, interact with historical artifacts, make
silkscreen protest posters using Civil Rights artwork as inspiration,
and much more. You can even walk away with your own decorated “I
Have A Dream” tote bag with inspirational quotes from the man
himself. Learn more about workshop and admission times on their
website.
(credit: Apollo Theater)
Apollo Uptown Hall: Where Do We Go From Here? MLK And The
Future Of Inclusion
253 W. 125th St.
New York, NY 10027
Join WNYC’s Brian Lehrer and Jami Floyd at the Apollo Theater as
they host the 11th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration.
They will moderate an open and honest discussion about the future
of social justice movements by exploring the themes presented in
Dr. King’s final manuscript, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or
Community.” Listen as a panel of leading voices in journalism,
politics, activism, and the social justice sphere come together to
address what they think the future holds in a post-Obama
administration. The lineup includes Shaun King, Opal Tometi, L. Joy
Williams, Rev. James Forbes and hip hop artist and activist Talib
Kweli. Event begins at 3 p.m. on Monday, January 17. RSVP here.
(credit: NYC Parks)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
More: Best Places To Volunteer In NYC
There are plenty of ways to get your family together over MLK
holiday weekend. Volunteer to remove debris from the wetlands in
Idlewild Park in Queens, trace your hands on fabric to cut out and
layer onto muslin as part of the A Hand in Freedom art project, or
grab your coat and head over to Prospect Park to find out what your
favorite park animals are up to this winter. All of these events are
free and celebrate the diversity and freedoms that Dr. King worked
so hard for during his lifetime.
(credit: Big Onion)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Historic Harlem
Northwest corner of 135th St. and Lenox
New York, NY
212-439-1090
More: Best Historic Walking Tours In NYC
On January 16, sign up for a walking tour of Historic Harlem to
celebrate African Americans who have fought for equal rights.
Guides from Big Onion Walking Tours will explore the history and
evolution of Harlem, while emphasizing the artistic, literary, and
musical influences of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. Stops include
the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Striver’s Row, the Apollo Theater, the
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Hotel Theresa, and
sites associated with historic figures like W.E.B. DuBois, Madame
C.J. Walker, Malcom X., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Carl van Vechten,
and many others. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for
seniors, and $15 for students. Tour schedule includes two tour times
at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Children’s Museum Of Manhattan
212 W. 83rd Street
New York, NY, 10024
212-721-1223
Head down to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan from Jan. 14-16
to take part in a weekend dedicated to celebrating the life and work
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Kids can create their own book
commemorating King and his wife, Corretta Scott, as well as learn
traditional and contemporary Afro-Caribbean dance with members of
the KaNu Dance Center. Learn more here.
(credit: BAM)
Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2017
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BAM will host New York City’s biggest public celebration in honor of the iconic
civil rights leader on the morning of January 16. This free event begins at 10:30
a.m. and tickets will be distributed on a fist-come, first-seated basis. This year’s
keynote speaker is racial justice and immigrant rights activist and Black Lives
Matter movement co-founder Opal Tometi. There will also be performances by
the Brooklyn Institutional Radio Choir and the Campbell Brothers. Learn more
here.