Martin Luther King Day will be celebrated this year on Jan. 17, just two days after the Civil Rights icon’s birthday, Jan. 15. Beginning Jan. 13, the Richmond area will feature activities and events for more than a week. Living the Dream, a collaboration of Richmond-area churches and local organizations has a full schedule of events that are open to the public. Some are free while others require an admission fee or advanced registration.
Thursday, Jan. 13
Grace Pleasants Dinner Theater presented by the Richmond Community Theatre Guild, 6:30 p.m., Cedar Street Baptist Church, 2301 Cedar St., $30, Call 262-1982
Friday, Jan. 14
Community Leaders Breakfast, 7:30 am, Richmond Downtown Marriott, Speaker: Dr. Edward Ayers, President University of Richmond, Call 257-5814
Read Aloud: Readers in Richmond Public Schools, Contact Rev. Ricardo Brown, 355-1044 or fifthbc@mail.com to volunteer as a reader.
Saturday, Jan. 15
Youth Leadership Forum, ages 9-15, at Virginia Union University, 10 am. Contact William Hicks 536-2255 or wbillhicks@aol.com Please identify any youth-serving organization registrants may belong to.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship, 12 pm at Sixth Baptist Church, 400 South Addison St. Guest: Rev. Victor Davis
Monday, Jan. 17
Mass Meeting, 10 a.m. at Arthur Ashe Center, 3001 N. Boulevard. Free and open to the public. Come join the Richmond community as we celebrate the rich legacy of Dr. King. Richmond Public Schools students will present moving and memorable performances.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship, 1 p.m. at Sharon Baptist Church, 22 Leigh St. Contact Willie Williams 329-7800
Wednesday, Jan. 19
Senior Citizens of Richmond & Vicinity, 11:30 a.m. at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St. Contact Saundra Rollins 231-9306
Sunday, Jan. 30
Richmond Peace Education Center Presents Generation Dream 2011, 4 p.m., Youth Edu-Concert, VCU Performing Arts Center, 922 Park Ave., $5 donation requested. Contact Paul Fleisher 232-1002 or rypp@rpec.org
Friday, Feb. 4
Generation Dream 2011, 7 p.m., Youth Edu-Concert, Richmond Public Library, Downtown Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. Contact Paul Fleisher 232-1002 or
rypp@rpec.org
For info, contact Rev. Ricardo Brown, Executive Director, Living the Dream, Inc.,
355-1044 or fifthbc@mail.com
CELEBRATING FREEDOM, REMEMBERING KING
Friday, Jan. 15
Get Hands On
Join other Richmond area residents in several volunteer projects happening this weekend. Sponsored by HandsOn Greater Richmond, several projects will suit your talents and interests, so choose your favorite. Clear trails with Audubon, or get handy building furniture, help with Bingo for disabled citizens and more. Projects are family-friendly and volunteers will participate in a short discussion afterward that will allow them to talk about their work and its connection to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lifelong volunteerism. Registration ends at 3 pm on Friday, Jan. 15. Call 330-7400 or sign up at www.HandsOnGR.org.
Saturday, Jan. 16
MLK Drill Meet
More than 1,500 Junior ROTC cadets will converge at the Arthur Ashe Center in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Precision marching, routines and other drills such as color guards, platoons, squads and more. The meet lasts all day from 7 am to 5 pm with groups competing for awards in several categories. Drill groups from New York to South Carolina are booking to Richmond for the MLK Drill. Richmond schools include Armstrong, Franklin, Huguenot, John Marshall, John Wythe and Military. Free and open to the public. Arthur Ashe Center, 3001 N. Boulevard 780-6131
Monday, Jan. 17
Sycamore Rouge Holds 5th Annual Celebration of Dr. King
Staged readings of the words of Dr. King accompanied by song and music. Begins at 2 pm and is followed by a reception. Both are free and open to the public. Performances of the words of Dr. King, and of those who knew him, will be given by Melvin Lassiter, Timothy L. Harris, Justin Lowenhagen, and Shalandis Wheeler-Smith. kb saine will direct the staged reading, and will begin by reading the words of Coretta Scott King and about the meaning of the King holiday.
This is Sycamore Rouge’s fifth year of hosting the Dr. King Celebration. “We have actually been holding this event longer than the theatre has been open,” says kb saine. Although in early 2006, the theatre wasn’t ready to open its doors for good, organizers scrambled to prepare the space for a celebration in honor of Dr. King. The Theatre opened days later on Jan. 20, and has remembered Dr. King with a celebration every year since. Audience members are encouraged to bring with them a canned food good to be given to the Colonial Heights Food Pantry. Sycamore Rouge, Old Towne Petersburg, 21 W. Old St. www.sycamorerouge.org or call 975-5707
Sunday, Jan. 17
MLK Gospel Evensong
Dr. Carl W. Haywood leads a service in celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Enjoy the choral music performed by the Concert Choir of Norfolk State University, an African-American ensemble. Dr. Haywood is an organist, conductor, composer, and editor of Lift Every Voice and Sing II, the African-American Hymnal of the Episcopal Church. Soul stirring and powerful! 5 pm at St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1205 W. Franklin St., Richmond, 355-1779
Freedom Classic Festival
One of the most exciting games of the year, the Freedom Classic brings together Virginia State University and Virginia Union University in a game anticipated for months! The extravaganza also includes a Gospel Showcase, an art exhibition, live bands, drumline performances, half-time specials and more. Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St. Begins 3 pm, Game Tip-off is at 7 pm. www.freedomclassic.com
Monday, Jan. 18
Martin Luther King Celebration presented by Boaz & Ruth
Boaz & Ruth will host a special MLK program at 6 pm that features Dr. Brian Blount, President of Union-PSCE, who will speak on the significance of Martin Luther King’s life and dreams. Dinner is provided by Boaz & Ruth. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP by phone 329-4900 or email reservations@boazandruth.com. Boaz & Ruth helps Richmonders rebuild their lives after release from prison. 3030 Meadowbridge Rd. Richmond
