January 16, 2012
Posting will be light today on account of the national holiday.
But we wouldn’t leave you out to dry; see below for our guide to all things MLK happening throughout the city today to commemorate one of our nation’s most celebrated Civil Rights heroes.
Note that all national parks have free admission in honor of today’s holiday, 18 of which are located in our state.
We’ll be back tomorrow morning with new theater shows opening, awesome restaurant deals and more.
• Free Philadelphia Orchestra Concert: The Philadelphia Orchestra is giving Philadelphia a different way to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Today at 3 p.m. the orchestra is holding its 22nd annual FREE Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert. The concert will be held, appropriately, at Martin Luther King High School, hosting the concert for the seventh consecutive year. The orchestra will play alongside the School District of Philadelphia’s All City Choir. Reserve your spot online.
• The National Museum of American Jewish History MLK Day Programming: Free admission is granted for all who visit the museum today between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to take part in a selection of events including self-guided tours which pay tribute to the struggles and efforts made for equality in America. A screening of Eyes on the Prize, a TV series documenting interviews and historical footage during the civil rights movement will be shown in the museum’s Dell Theater. In addition, NMAJH is partnering with the Fleisher Art Memorial, a tuition-free visual art school in Philadelphia, to inspire the little ones to get a bit creative with a special watercolor project from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• MLK Day at the National Constitution Center: The center’s day of remembrance today will include dramatic performances, an opera, service projects and craft activities, all of which are free with museum admission. At noon, a live reading of Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech will be performed by local actors and students.
• MLK Day at the Franklin Institute: Listen to the powerful and inspiring words of Dr. King’s speech before hundreds of thousands of civil rights supporters at the 1963 March on Washington, played every hour on the hour at the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial inside the institute. There will be scavenger hunts, storytelling, coloring activities and more, all day long.
• MLK Day Kensington Neighborhood Clean-up: Take today as an opportunity to help clean up the Kensington neighborhood, organized by NKCDC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing East Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service at the African American Museum: Join AAMP, Citizens Bank, neighbors and volunteers for a day of service and celebration of the life and principles of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be a full day of activities, entertainment, opportunities for service-learning. Think performances by the Philadelphia CLef Club Youth Jazz Ensemble and Freedom Choir of Philadelphia, a Historical Scavenger Hunt, a chance to meet the Phillie Phanatic and more.
• Interested in other ways of participating in MLK Day in Philly? Register to volunteer at one of the 1,200 service projects throughout the city that day, or create your own personal service project within your own community.
January 11, 2012
The Philadelphia Orchestra is giving Philadelphia a different way to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. This Monday, January 16, the orchestra is holding its 22nd annual FREE Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert. The concert will be held, appropriately, at Martin Luther King High School, hosting the concert for the seventh consecutive year. Tthe orchestra will play alongside the School District of Philadelphia’s All City Choir. Additionally, Charlotte Blake Alston will narrate readings from Dr. King. Reserve your spot online. [Philadelphia Orchestra MLK Concert]
January 5, 2012
Pay homage one of our nation’s most iconic leaders at one of Philadelphia's most iconic museums.
(Photo courtesy NMAJH)
On January 16, 2012, in honor of Martin Luther King Day, the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH) located on Independence Mall, will celebrate the birthday of the civil rights hero with a family-filled day of programming.
Free admission is granted for all who visit the museum between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to take part in a selection of events including self-guided tours which pay tribute to the struggles and efforts made for equality in America.
A screening of Eyes on the Prize, a TV series documenting interviews and historical footage during the civil rights movement will be shown in the museum’s Dell Theater.
In addition, NMAJH is partnering with the Fleisher Art Memorial, a tuition-free visual art school in Philadelphia, to inspire the little ones to get a bit creative with a special watercolor project from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
For other MLK Day ideas, check out our previous coverage.
The National Museum of American Jewish History MLK Day Programming
Where: 101 S. Independence Mall East
When: Monday, January 16, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Info: www.nmajh.org
January 4, 2012
The center's highly relevant Fighting for Democracy exhibition closes simultaneously with the MLK day of remembrance programming; make sure to check it out. (Photo by Jeff Fusco courtesy NCC)
The National Constitution Center will participate in a big way in the 17th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 16.
The center’s day of remembrance will include dramatic performances, an opera, service projects and craft activities, all of which are free with museum admission.
In the F.M. Kirby Auditorium, there will be two performances of “Two of a Kind” (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), an award-winning, nationally touring husband and wife duo who specialize in interactive musical programs for children. Visitors can participate in their sing-along tailored to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
At noon, a live reading of Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech will be performed by local actors and students.
Throughout the day, you can make crafts like “Hands Across the World” chains and “I Have a Dream” mobiles, or participate in quilting and sewing projects that benefit the Women Against Abuse shelter. Sew quilts, baby blankets and pillows for those in need while discovering the history of quilting in communities.
Concluding the day at 3 in the F.M. Kirby Auditorium is a performance by International Opera Theater, who will present an excerpt from their opera, The Heart of a Hero. The opera combines gospel, opera, movement, poetry and spirituals, and tells the little-known stories of three posthumously-awarded Congressional Medal of Honor minority recipients.
Make sure you check out the relevant exhibition Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We the People, which closes that day.
Interested in other ways of participating in MLK Day in Philly? Register to volunteer at one of the 1,200 service projects throughout the city that day, or create your own personal service project within your own community.
MLK Day at the National Constitution Center
Where: 525 Arch Street
When: Monday, January 16, beginning at 11 a.m.
Cost: Free with museum admission
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org
January 14, 2011
Celebrate MLK Day at the Franklin Institute.
(Photo by K. Ciappa for GPTMC)
The Franklin Institute is offering a series of activities and events in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday on Monday, January 17th.
Dr. King’s legacy is remembered in a book reading activity in which children can hear the stories of various scientists, like Guion Bluford, the first African American to orbit the Earth; and Mae Jemison, the first African American in space. Afterward, they can try on real astronaut gear.
In addition, the entire 17-minute video recording of King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech (the actual footage!) will play at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MLK Day schedule of events at The Franklin Institute:
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: “I Have a Dream” speech will be shown on the hour in Franklin Hall
• 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Storybook Science (book reading) highlighting African American Scientists, in the Space Command exhibit
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Dr. King coloring activity and make-and-takes in Key Hall
All MLK Day activities are free with general museum admission.
MLK Day at the Franklin Institute
Where: 222 N. 20th Street
When: Monday, January 15th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Museum admission is $15.50 for adults, $14.50 for seniors (62+) and military and $12 for kids (4-11)
More info: www2.fi.edu
January 10, 2011
Help serve the community at the National Constitution Center. (Photo courtesy NCC)
Spend Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 17th, at the National Constitution Center as it joins in the 16th annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service, the largest Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event in the nation.
In the spirit of Dr. King’s vision for a more engaged community, National Constitution Center visitors can sew quilts, baby blankets, and pillows for local non-profit Women Against Abuse. Children can also create special MLK-inspired crafts, including “Hands Across the World” chains and “I Have a Dream” mobiles.
Additionally, In Kirby Auditorium at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., guests can take part in an interactive MLK-themed sing-along with nationally renowned husband/wife musical duo “Two of a Kind.” Plus, students from regional schools and local actors will read aloud Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech at noon and 2 p.m.
The day will conclude with a staff-led “Reflection Session” from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., during which volunteers can reflect on their experiences with service, what the holiday means to them, and how they feel Dr. King’s legacy is being carried out.
The Center’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events are FREE with museum admission.
MLK Day at the National Constitution Center
When: Monday, January 17th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 525 Arch Street
Cost: FREE with admission (Adults $12, Seniors 65+ $11, Children 4-12 $8, Active military and children under 4 free)
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org
