Photo by MudflapDC
The federal and District governments will both be closed on Monday to mark Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. There are a huge number of ways to spend that day and the week leading up to it by remembering the civil rights leader and volunteering. Below are a few of the options. Email more ways to celebrate MLK Day to tips@dcist.com.
The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum will host a celebration featuring Nicole C. Lee, president of TransAfrica, and a performance by Lesole’s Dance Project tonight from 7 to 9 p.m at the National Museum of Natural History.
The D.C. Public Library has planned a week of celebrations and activities, through January 21:
Wednesday, January 15, 6:30 p.m., A Conversation on D.C. Statehood with Anise Jenkins and Johnny Barnes, Anacostia Library Saturday, January 18, 1 p.m., Collective Voices 18th Annual Literary Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. featuring many special guests, including Washington, DC Poet Laureate, Delores Kendrick and the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Tuesday, January 21, 10:45 a.m., Martin Luther King’s Birthday Celebration, Takoma Park Library King Week Project/Let’s Promote Peace Mural: Families with children ages 4-12 can stop by any neighborhood library from January 12-18 to participate in the King Week Project. Children can personalize a paper peace symbol and sign a peace pledge to be displayed as a “Let’s Promote Peace” mural in the children’s room. After the mural is displayed in your neighborhood library, it will be sent to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to become part of a larger peace display for Black History Month! Read more. Dream Big Like Me Video Contest: Teens are encouraged to submit a video of their original work that shows how they will continue Dr. King’s dream of equality for all. The original work can be a song, rap, poem, skit/dramatization, or speech. Video submissions will be accepted January 19-February 15, 2014.
Folger Shakespeare Library will host an MLK Day event that combines dramatic readings of speeches and poetry from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In the spirit of a day of service, we are asking for donations of new and unused linens, food, sundries, cleaning supplies and more to benefit Calvary Women’s Services. For more on what to donate, click here.
IMPACT will host a service event at the Washington Monument and MLK Memorial on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will “trim and mulch cherry trees,” “plant around the monument and memorial,” and “engage in general beautification.”
The Washington Hebrew Congregation (3935 Macomb Street NW) will host a day of service on Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join members of Washington Hebrew Congregation on this 12th annual Day of Service. Together we will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and WHC’s commitment to the homeless and at-risk in our community as we prepare meals, sort donated clothing, make craft projects, and more. So we can plan properly, RSVP to Layne Weiss, or 202-895-6307.
Find more volunteering options here by entering your zip code.
