SARATOGA SPRINGS — MLK Saratoga’s annual Dr. King Celebration Weekend takes place Jan. 13-16 in Saratoga Springs.
A range of programs reflecting on social, environmental, racial, and economic justice issues, will include workshops, performances, lectures, and panel discussions.
This year’s theme explores and responds to Dr. King’s reflection: “In a sense, songs are the soul of a movement.”
Events begin 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13 with the 8th Annual Dr. King Challenge: More Music Less Violence. Hosted and curated by Capital Region’s DJ Hollys8d at the Holiday Inn, the event includes several regional performing artists. Reception with light fare & cash bar, fun art projects, photo booth. Family friendly. Suggested donation of $10 or pay what you can.
Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Saratoga Springs Public Library: storyteller Jae Gayle’s family-friendly workshop “How the Negro Got His Song” at 10:30 a.m., followed by two presentations and panel discussions - Restorative Justice in Schools: Promoting and Protecting Dignity and Justice for Everyone at 12:30; and C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios’ Erasing Spaces & Faces – The Legacy of Urban Renewal in Saratoga Springs at 3 p.m.
At 6 p.m. on Saturday, Yaddo artist, award-winning journalist and author of Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop, Danyel Smith, will be in conversation with Skidmore’s Dr. Emmanuel Balogun & Dr. Tammy Owens, with a special performance by multidisciplinary artist/poet D. Colin, at The Pines @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Free, reservations required.
Sunday, Jan. 15 Caffè Lena hosts two music programs with the Nikara Warren Trio celebrating Black excellence in music and featuring music from her triumphant debut album Black Wall Street. The afternoon kids’ show: Little Folks MLK Celebration with Nikara Warren Trio is at 3 p.m. The evening performance at 6:30 p.m. will begin with an interview with Nikara Warren before her ensemble brings her musicality to the stage. Both programs are free, reservations strongly suggested as seating is limited.
Monday, Jan. 16 begins with the National Day of Service. MLK Saratoga is offering in-person volunteer projects and actions in collaboration with a variety of community organizations. Projects for all ages include: C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios to make kindness rocks; Mooncatcher Project to assemble sustainable menstrual pad kits; Waldorf School for story-reading and card-making; Saratoga Free Fridge - donate food and grocery cards; Little Free Library at the Frederick Allen Lodge - donate books; Temple Sinai Take Note: donate children’s book and musical instruments drive; Youth Squared to make peace flags. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Weekend programs conclude at 2 p.m. at Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs with refreshments and fellowship.
2 p.m. Songs are the Soul of a Movement - We will close the Dr. King Celebration Weekend by honoring Dr. King with music and community, with a little history and activism sprinkled in hosted by Soulist Garland Nelson. Program highlights: Freedom’s Highways – an interactive performance with Donald Hyman about artists, civil rights and protest songs. Jermaine Wells and the Ill Funk Ensemble will perform historical civil rights and contemporary protest songs. Community speakers and our city’s first poet laureate, Joseph Bruchac will be in attendance. There will be refreshments and fellowship as well.
All events are free & open to the public. Check the website for details and updates. The links to reserve seats for events that require registration are located at the end of each event’s description on the main celebration page. www.mlksaratoga.org/celebration-weekend.
