SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — MLK Saratoga is holding its annual Celebration Weekend honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day beginning on Friday, January 17. Events will be held every day from then until Monday, January 20.

Friday, January 17

Dr. King Weekend Kickoff Celebration

The free event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs. Bakari Grady-Willis will emcee the event with DJ sets and music by Jermaine Wells and The Ill Funk Ensemble. There will be plenty of activities like dancing, face painting, and art projects for kids, and there will be food and a reception.

Saturday, January 18

African drumming workshop with Jordan Taylor Hill

This musical workshop with Jordan Taylor Hill is being held at the Saratoga Springs Public Library in the Dutcher Community Room on Henry Street. There will be some supplied drums and some shared for participants to immerse themselves in the cultural rhythms and musical traditions.

Puppet show and singalong

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs on North Broadway will celebrate the love and friendship in Dr. King’s life with a puppet performance and singalong from noon to 1 p.m. All are welcome, but especially kids and their caregivers.

Dances of Trinbago

This masterclass with Skidmore College Assistant Professor of Dance Kieron Dwayne Sargeant runs from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Saratoga Springs Public Library in the Dutcher Community Room. MLK Saratoga recommends wearing comfortable clothing and shoes to allow for movement. Anyone ages 10 and up is welcome to attend.

Sunday, January 19

“Audacious Faith” Sunday gospel service with the Heavenly Echoes

This Sunday service at Dyer Phelps AME Zion Church runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reverend David Baugh will be hosting the service until 11:30 a.m. with music from the Heavenly Echoes to follow and the theme of Audacious Faith.

Faith in the Future: A conversation between youth and adults about carrying on MLK’s legacy

Camp Stomping Ground and MLK Saratoga will host this conversation from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Together the participants will explore ways to overcome barriers to empathy.

Gina Coleman and Misty Blues MLK weekend tribute to Odetta

This free concert is being held at Caffe Lena with Misty Blues lead singer Gina Coleman to honor singer and civil rights activist Odetta.

“An Unsettling Force” film screening and discussion

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs will hold a screening of “An Unsettling Force” at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation from 6 to 7:30 p.m., including a discussion following the film.

Monday, January 20

Dr. King Day of Service

Come to the Saratoga Springs Public Library from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. to celebrate the life and work of Dr. King. There will be projects such as making blankets for shelter pets, making signs for Saratoga PRIDE, repairing books for donation to libraries, and more. MLK Saratoga says most projects are appropriate for children to participate in.

Dr. King Weekend Community Celebration

This last event will be a community celebration featuring local speakers, and a keynote address by Skidmore Professor Dr. Tammy Owens. There will also be music by Soulist Garland Nelson and vocalist and pianist Azzaam Hameed.

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