We know his name, and we know his legacy.
Now, as part of the national recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, designated Jan. 20, local communities are holding events of celebration and service to commemorate his work. Here’s how you can participate:
MLK Jr. Dreamfest, Jan. 17 through Feb. 8
These free events include:
Women of Action Gathering, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m., Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary
An Arts Tribute to Martin, Jan. 18 from 3 to 7 p.m., Cary Arts Center. Dance, song and spoken word, a reading of King and more. townofcary.org
Day of Service, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Middle Creek Community Center. All ages; registration required, at (919) 469-4301, townofcary.org
MLK Community Day of Service, Jan. 17
United Way of the Greater Triangle is in its ninth year of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, hosting more than 2,000 volunteers at 30 projects located throughout the Triangle in “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” For a list of volunteer opportunities, see unitedwaytriangle.org.
Garner's Annual MLK Observance, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m.
The Garner Performing Arts Center is the setting for this fourth annual celebration, headlined by the Rev. Charles Weldon Brooks, with the theme of One Nation, One Dream, We're Better Together. Free admission; nonperishable food items will be collected for Garner Area Ministries.
MLK Celebration, Jan. 20 at 8:30 a.m.
St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church, located at 605 Bridge St. in Fuquay-Varina, hosts the 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, beginning with a march at 8:30 a.m., breakfast at 9:15 and the program at 10. (919) 285-4135
34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial March, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m.
Individuals, community leaders, churches and civic organizations are invited to participate; the march departs from the State Capitol Building, Edenton Street side, downtown Raleigh.
Musical Performance featuring Earnest Pugh and Ruth La’ontra, Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
National recording artists Earnest Pugh and Ruth La’ontra headline this musical production at Meymandi Hall, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. trianglemlk.com
13th Annual African-American Cultural Celebration, Jan. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Musicians, storytellers, dancers, historians, authors and artists come together, honoring the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Free. N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh, (919) 807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens, Open year-round
The first public park in the U.S. solely devoted to Dr. King and the civil rights movement, featuring the King Memorial Wall, a life-sized bronze statue of King, and a granite water monument. Free admission; open daily. Located at 1300 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Raleigh. (919) 834-6264
