Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 18, and the national holiday brings a time to remember the legacy of America’s famous civil rights leader and give back to the community.
More than 57 years have passed since Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., and more than 52 years since the activist was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Still, the work he started remains more vital than ever to this day.
Around Central Florida, performing groups, community leaders and volunteers will bring the public together for concerts, prayer, discussions and more throughout the holiday weekend. Here are a few offerings.
Let Freedom Ring at the outdoor Dr. Phillips Frontyard Festival will bring a “memorable evening” with its 17-member Jazz Orchestra performing music by Marvin Gaye, Charlie Parker and Nina Simone. Two spoken word artists will join in performing iconic works that surrounded King and the civil rights movement. Tickets in socially-distanced pods are still available, starting at $20 per box. More information: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando; drphillipscenter.org
2021 MLK Holiday Parade Showcase at the Frontyard Festival brings the community a first-come, first-served show for free in place of a typical parade. The event will bring together dance, comedy, drumlines, music and art, all hosted by local comedian Rod Z. More information: 10 a.m. Jan. 16 at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando; drphillipscenter.org
Sanford’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Steering Committee will host several events throughout the holiday weekend. At 6 p.m. Jan. 16, a virtual MLK celebration provides a speech from WFTV-Channel 9 investigative reporter and anchor Daralene Jones. Beginning at 3 p.m. Jan. 17, the Rev. Sammie J. Edward Sr. will host a virtual interfaith service, and at 5 p.m. Jan. 18, performers will showcase their abilities in a virtual “Sanford’s Got Talent.” $25 provides access to all of the virtual celebrations, or $10-tickets are available separately for the MLK celebration and “Sanford’s Got Talent” event. More information: mlksanford.org
An Interfaith Service with the theme “Love and Power” will bring together voices, sounds and images from a diverse group of faith traditions, cultures and worldviews to support King’s vision of “a beloved community.” Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani will deliver the keynote speech. This service will be viewable online at 3 p.m. Jan. 17. More information: orlando.gov
An Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Virtual Prayer Event will commemorate the legacies of King and Orlando’s first African-American city council member. This annual tradition has been hosted for nearly three decades and will continue virtually amid the ongoing pandemic on Jan. 18. More information: orlando.gov
Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service by Heart of Florida United Way will help connect community members with volunteer opportunities and help explain the role of local nonprofit agencies. This virtual discussion will take place starting at 12 p.m. Jan. 18, and advance registration is required. The local organization will host a number of additional volunteer opportunities in the week following Martin Luther King Jr. Day. More information: hfuw.org
Seedlings for Civil Rights will bring together volunteers to beautify the Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center, Burton Boulevard and surrounding areas. Snacks, water and all supplies will be provided. Face coverings are required. Limited spots are available for the event beginning at 9 a.m. Jan 18; RSVP to Sean Hipps at sean.hipps@orlando.gov or call 407-246-2752. More information: orlando.gov/Events/Seedlings-for-Civil-Rights-2021
The Actively Engaged Community serves as a discussion on how to continue King’s legacy in local communities, hosted by University of Central Florida, Valencia College and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s College of Law. This virtual event takes place at 11 a.m. Jan. 21. More information: events.ucf.edu
Yesterday, This Was Home: The Ocoee Massacre of 1920 is on display at the Orange County Regional History Center to help inform and educate the community about the largest incident of voting-day violence in U.S. history. Visit the special exhibition to reflect on the time when Black citizen Mose Norman tried to exercise his legal right to vote in Ocoee and an unknown number of African-Americans were murdered by a white mob. More information: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando; thehistorycenter.org
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