FRIDAY, JANUARY 15
CIVIL RIGHTS DISCUSSION: Politics & Prose is continuing their virtual event series with a conversation about the late civil rights icon Julian Bond and his book A Time To Speak, A Time To Act. The event will feature civil rights leaders and advocates including Pamela Horowitz, Jeanne Theoharis, and Vann R. Newkirk II. (6 p.m.; FREE, with donations encouraged)
RAPPERS PAINT & SIP: On Friday, local artist Sarah Albert is hosting one of her socially-distant paint and sip events in Arlington, Va. Participants can choose between muses like Cardi B, Biggie Smalls, Chance the Rapper, Tupac, or Post Malone. Painting supplies are included but registration is limited. (The Boardroom Arlington, 925 N Garfield St, Arlington, Va.; 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.; $31)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
PARK VOLUNTEER SERIES: This year, the Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Montgomery Parks are continuing their tradition of honoring Martin Luther King Jr. through a weekend of service and volunteer opportunities. On Saturday, their events start at 7 am and include trash clean-ups and invasive species removals. The weekend continues with events held across the park on Sunday and Monday. (Various times and locations; FREE)
DANCE FILM SCREENING: On Saturday, the District’s Gandhi Memorial Center is hosting a digital event to explore the history and traditions of Yogachara Buddhism in Kashmir. The event will include a conversation about the influential school of Buddhist philosophy and a screening of Sacred Buddhist Dance. (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.; FREE)
ROSSLYN WELLNESS: On Saturday, earn some endorphins by using Rosslyn’s new self-guided Fitness & Wellness tour. The program maps out different routes and workouts across the city to help local residents keep active, all while social distancing. Activities include stair repeats on North Nash Street, a 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) run around Roosevelt Island and Gateway Park, as well as a mindfulness break in Freedom Park. (FREE)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17
CINDERELLA: Sunday is the last day to tune in to the Kennedy Center’s performance of Cinderella. In 2019, British choreographer Matthew Bourne brought his play to the Center — and starting from Friday at 8 p.m. through Sunday, the show will be available for streaming on-demand. (On-demand; $10)
JAZZ LIVE STREAM: Spend your Sunday evening watching local jazz legend Sharón Clark as she performs as part of The Covid Sessions at Blue House Productions. Clark will be joined by Chris Grasso on the piano, Blake Meister on the bass, and Lenny Robinson on the drums. The show will be streaming free (with donations encouraged) from Blue House Live’s Facebook and YouTube pages. (7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.; FREE with donations encouraged).
MONDAY, JANUARY 18
VIRTUAL PARADE: On Monday, the 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk & Parade in D.C. will still take place … albeit with some changes to accommodate the ongoing pandemic. Instead of occurring in-person, this year’s parade will be held virtually to ensure that everyone can safely participate. Join by registering online and following the parade starting at noon on the organizers’ YouTube page. (12 p.m.; FREE).
ROSA PARKS: Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Essential Theatre, the local, non-profit professional theatre dedicated to raising the voices and stories of African Americans. On Monday, they are hosting a one-time performance of Rosa Parks: Such A Time, a one-woman play written by and starring Gwendolyn Briley-Strand. (2 p.m.; FREE).
FILM FORUM: On Monday, the Smithsonian Associates is hosting a digital conversation about the film MLK/FBI, which brings light to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s files and surveillance on Martin Luther King Jr. The conversation will include film director Sam Pollard and Larry Rubin, a former field secretary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The first 350 registrants will also receive a link to stream the film before the event. (7 p.m.; FREE)
A PEOPLE’S PROGRAM: In the afternoon on Monday, the National Museum of African American History & Culture is hosting A People’s Holiday, an art, jazz, and poetry event to honor Martin Luther King Jr. . The virtual performance will include six-time Grammy Award-winner Christian McBride, award-winning poet Evie Shockley, and students from The Juilliard School. (4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; FREE)
POETRY PERFORMANCES: The Folger Shakespeare Library is honoring Dr. King’s legacy by streaming an event with contemporary artists alongside the speeches of civil rights leaders. The event will include poets Camonghne Felix, Julian Randall, and Joseph Ross, along with actors Sara Barker, Fatima Quander, and James Johnson. The speeches will feature the works of Dr. King, Gandhi, Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. (On-demand; FREE)
