Cities & Towns

Complete Guide to Martin Luther King Day Events: Brooklyn Calendar

Martin Luther King Day — Honor Dr. King on January 16, 2012

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Here is a listing of a dozen or so MLK celebrations and things to do in Brooklyn on, and around, to honor Dr. King on Martin Luther King Day.

1. Friday, January 14: Restoration Plaza Annual Dance Troupe MLK Performance

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, MOVEMENT! for the Restoration Dance Theatre Company’s annual concert in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The company returns to the Kumble Theater with an eye on his journey through the lens of contemporary dance movement.

Details:
KUMBLE THEATER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus
1 University Plaza, Brooklyn
General Admission: $20

2. Mon. Jan 16: NEW YORKS BIGGEST MLK EVENT AT BAM

Don't miss BAM's 26th annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It's the largest celebration of Martin Luther King Day in New York City. And, it's free! Starts at 10:30 A.M:

Keynote speaker Dennis M. Walcott,Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education
Musical performances by Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely and Institutional Radio Choir (The Hit Makers) from the Institutional C.O.G.I.C. of Brooklyn
Film screening of The Black Power Mixtape 1967--1975 at BAM Rose Cinema
Weekend celebration also features Chanda Rule and MuthaWit at BAMcafé Live, and an art exhibition in the BAMcafé, "Picture the Dream"

3. Martin Luther King Day of Service

Martin Luther King Day is a day when all are encouraged to do service in the community. For instance:

All Weekend: 72 Hour Painting Project and Breakfast, Paul Robeson Theatre: As reported in the local Patch: "Join 500 Men Making a Difference for its Martin Luther King Jr. 72 Hour Painting Project and Breakfast, beginning at midnight Friday January 13th and ending at midnight Monday January 16th at the Paul Robeson Theatre, 40 Greene ave Bklyn, NY. A working weekend to" clear the first floor" of the Paul Robeson Theater at 40 Greene Ave. in Downtown Brooklyn. Followed by a men’s breakfast at 9:00am on MLK day at 525 Waverly Pl.
Monday, January 16 Sewing Quilts for Survivors (Crown Heights): Two shifts: Noon - 3:00 PM and 3:15 PM - 6:15 PM
Help Sue Rock Originals Everyone, a local organization that provides clothing and home furnishings to women and children escaping situations of domestic violence. The MLK Day event create quilts for families living in domestic-violence shelters. Even non-sewers can participate by folding, ironing and sorting fabric; taking fliers around Brooklyn to publicize the organization's work; and taking photos/videos/blogging about the day's events. RSVP required: https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gppkts

4. All Weekend: Martin Luther King Weekend Events at Brooklyn Children's Museum

Bring the kids! The Brooklyn Children's Museum has a fun, educational three-day weekend long program featuring programming that communicates the values of Martin Luther King Day in an age-appropriate, family friendly way.
Where: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Avenue, located next to Brower Park, just one mile from Grand Army Plaza
When: 11:30 and 2:30 for 5 and younger
Admission: Admission is $7.50 per person, and free for Museum members and children under 1 year of age.
Website: Brooklyn Children's Museum www.brooklynkids.org/

5. What Brooklyn's Reading for MLK Day? Recommendations from Independent Bookstores

See what some leading independent bookstores in Brooklyn recommend as reading in honor of Martin Luther King Day. What to Read for MLK Day.

6. Fri. January 13: A Benefit for Haiti

A benefit concert with special performances by Oleta Adams and Carimi. Get tickets
Walt Whitman Theatre, at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College campus
2900 Campus Road.

7. Sat. Jan 14: Brooklyn Central Library Children's Program

At Brooklyn Central Library at 2 P.M.. Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with poetry and music provided by the American Opera Project and the Noel Pointer Foundation.

8. Sat. Jan 14: Habitat for Humanity at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church

oin Habitat for Humanity at the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church for “Building on the Dream,” a celebration of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” at 2 P.M., at 869 Halsey Street. Get details and RSVP at mfang@habitatnyc.org.

9. Sun. Jan 15: WNYC Event at Brooklyn Museum-SOLD OUT (but broadcast on radio)

This is event is sold out for 2012 but you can still see see who's participating in the excellent panel, hosted by WNYC. The topic is Dr. King's legacy in terms of education as a right. You can hear excerpts from the event broadcast on The Brian Lehrer Show on Monday, on MLK Day.

10. Sun. Jan 15: Gospel Choir Churches, Sermons

Of course, Brooklyn is filled with churches, some with gospel choirs. Go with a friend, or if you're unaffiliated, check out the Brooklyn Tabernacle in Downtown Brooklyn, which holds services on Sundays at 9 A.M., noon and 3 P.M. Also, read about the choir at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church at 85 South Oxford in Fort Greene.