BALTIMORE — The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture is preparing to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in what officials say is a special way. Located at 830 E. Pratt Street, the famous museum’s celebrations will include live performances, community discussions, films and crafts that will reflect on and honor the civil rights leader who was born on January 15, 1929 and was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
The January 15 King Day celebration begins at noon with a special admission charge of $5.
The celebration includes the musical concert, “Man of Peace: The 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.” featuring choral presentations and spoken texts from King set to chamber music written by composer Benny Russell and performed by the Peabody’s Tuned In Orchestra.
“Visitors should expect a MLK Day celebration filled with art, music, activities and performances at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum,” said museum spokeswoman LaDawn Black. “We have planned an afternoon that celebrates the greatness of Dr. King, but also looks to place Dr. King’s work in a modern construct. There will be activities for the whole family.”
Courtesy Photo/RFL
The museum’s celebration of King includes a “MLK STEP Salute” performed by the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women Step Team.
Additionally, the museum’s celebration of King will include a “MLK STEP Salute” performed by the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women Step Team; “Combatting Violence in Our City,” a Community Discussion moderated by Dr. Harold Carter of New Shiloh Baptist Church; and a Freedom Square Quilting Party, which include crafting quilt blocks that honor King and other freedom fighters.
“We are the largest African American Museum in Maryland. Our third floor permanent collection tells the full story of the African American experience in Maryland and families are able to interact in that gallery on MLK Day,” Black said. “We have curated very unique acts that take the legacy of Dr. King and make it relevant to families today through music, step, art and spoken word.”
Additionally, “There will be an opportunity to learn about quilting and make your own quilt block while touring our newest exhibition, ‘Emancipation: Freedom Quilted and Stitched,’ which looks to tell the current state of African Americans around the world through quilts,” Black said.
Further, the museum’s celebration will not only focus on where African Americans have been and what they’ve overcome, but “It will also show where we are going as a community and all of this for a discounted admission rate of $5,” she said.
For more information about MLK Day at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, visit: www.lewismuseum.org.