Top 9 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events 2007

1. Joyful Noise

Come honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 20th annual Joyful Noise gospel concert, featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir and a special tribute to Coretta Scott King. Led by Mistress of Ceremonies the Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, M.D.

Saturday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m.
$10-$20
Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Harvard University, Cambridge
(617) 496-2222
fas.harvard.edu

2. Celebrating the Life and Achievements of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Museum of African American History celebrates the life and achievements of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., with an event featuring the musical talents of young people from the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Intensive Community Program. The concert will feature orchestral renditions of gospel, spirituals, and classical music, as well as readings from some of King’s speeches.

Monday, Jan. 15, 3 p.m.
Suggested donation $3 students $5 adults.
Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University, 55 Temple Street, Boston
(617) 725-0022 x25 or rsvp@afroammuseum.org

3. Visit the Museum of African American History

Explore the Museum of African American History's new exhibit, “A Gathering Place for Freedom,” which commemorates the bicentennial of the historic African Meeting House. View original photos of Prince Hall, Frederick Douglass, Lewis Hayden, and other Boston Abolitionists. Exhibit runs January 2 thru April 2007.

Monday thru Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free (donations welcome)
46 Joy Street, Boston
(617) 725-0022
afroammuseum.org

4. City of Boston’s 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

The City of Boston offers two days of free events for MLK Day:

• MLK: A Gift of Song
  Featuring Grammy-winner Peabo Bryson, with gospel artist Minister Melvin Murphy and dance troupe Origination.

  Sunday, January 14, 7 p.m.
  Free (tickets required)
  The Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston
  (617) 635-3911
  cityofboston.gov

• The Martin Luther King National Oration
  Featuring keynote speaker Governor Deval Patrick, and gospel recording artist Bishop Charlie’s Angels and Jeremy Gooding. A public reception will follow at Boston City Hall.

  Monday, Jan.15, noon
  Free
  Faneuil Hall, Congress Street, Boston
  (617) 635-3911
  cityofboston.gov

5. A Tribute to August Wilson

Charles Dutton, twice nominated for a Tony Award for his performances in August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and The Piano Lesson; and Dwight Andrews, musical director for several of Wilson's Broadway productions, pay tribute to the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who died in October 2005. Elvis Mitchell, entertainment critic for NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon, will moderate. A screening of The Piano Lesson will be shown before the forum at noon.

Monday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Free
John F. Kennedy Library, Smith Center, Columbia Point, Boston
(617) 514-1643
jfklibrary.org

6. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast

This annual breakfast commemorating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. features keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. The event is sponsored by the South End’s Union United Methodist Church and St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church. Congregation members and the Boston community gather to honor and renew the commitment to King’s principles.

Monday, Jan. 15, 8 a.m.
$35
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Boston
(617) 536-0872

7. Fifth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Concert

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at a concert featuring the Boston Children's Chorus and special guests Chicago Children's Chorus, and Young People's Chorus of New York City. This year’s theme is "Struggle, Unity, Spirit & Freedom," and the choruses will perform a variety of multicultural songs celebrating peace, community, and social integration. The event will be televised live on WCVB-TV 5.

Monday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m.
$25
New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston
(617) 585-1260
bostonchildrenschorus.org

8. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Open House

The Museum of Fine Arts and the Citizens Bank Foundation celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a Community Open House. Enjoy music, dance, art, and film while learning about King’s impact on art, access, identity, and the creative voice. General admission to the MFA will be free all day as will many family appropriate programs.

Monday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Free
Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston
(617) 585-1260
mfa.org

9. Walk the Black Heritage Trail

Check out some of the sites on The Black Heritage Trail, which explores the history of Boston’s free black community in the 19th century, and consists of 14 sites. If you want to take a self-guided tour you can pick up maps and site brochures at the African Meeting House during site hours, or get the information online. Many of the sites are privately owned and not open to the public. Ranger guided tours of the Black Heritage Trail are currently on the winter season schedule: Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. by appointment only. Call 24 hours in advance to schedule a tour: (617) 742- 5415.