Things to Do In Pittsburgh to Celebrate Martin Luther King
Events abound with poetry, speeches, concerts, dance and art to honor the civil rights leader around his birthday and federal holiday.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Pittsburgh will be holding several celebrations this week in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. Established in honor of the civil rights leader’s birthday on Jan. 15, the federal holiday encourages all Americans to volunteer and help serve their communities. Pittsburgh will be honoring the life and work of King with events aimed at fostering community through music and art. Here’s a sampling of events:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Words and Action
This is a screening of a compilation of King’s speeches to be shown on repeat throughout the weekend during museum hours.
Saturday, Jan. 13 – Monday, Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Carnegie Museum of Art Theater, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland
Music & Memories: Tribute to Homestead Trailblazers
Mary Cardwell Dawson, an opera soloist who helped found the National Negro Opera Company; her sister Catherine Cardwell Gardner, longtime Park Place AME Church chorale director; and their cousin Justin Hairston, a composer and chorale director, will be recognized during this MLK event featuring gospel, opera, jazz and chorale music, followed by brunch.
When: Saturday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.
Where: Park Place AME Church
215 E. 10th Ave., Homestead
This is the 17th annual concert celebrating King, with performances from Anqwenique Kinsel, Alton Merrell, the Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh and the MLK Festival Singers. KDKA reporter Mikey Hood will emcee. Guests are encouraged to pay what moves them as well as bring food items to donate to the East End Cooperative Ministry Food Pantry.
When: Monday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kelly Strayhorn Theater
5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty
Also at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, a community event will be hosted in the lobby earlier in the day with family-friendly activities, plus performances from Hill Dance Academy Theatre, K-Theatre Dance Complex and Alumni Theater Company in the theater.
When: Monday, Jan 15 from noon – 3 p.m.
Where: Kelly Strayhorn Theater
5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Open House
The museum will be open to celebrate King’s legacy with activities for both kids and adults, as well as performances and food. Registration is free.
When: Monday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
221 N. Main St., Greensburg
MLK Day of Reading
Heather Cunningham, an assistant professor of education at Chatham University, and Chatham students Kaitlin Marcus and Madison Stokes will be reading the book “A Place to Land,” by Barry Wittenstein. All children 12 and under in attendance will receive a new free children’s book after each reading (while supplies last).
When: Monday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m.
Where: Coffee Tree Roasters
5524 Walnut St., Shadyside
Poetry Unplugged / Hooks & Phonics Festival
This three-day inaugural Hooks & Phonics Festival kicks off on Friday, Jan 19 with spoken word poetry promoting King’s beliefs of non-violence and unification. Poets include Kayden Hern, Love Ties, Jesicca Lanay, Ed Mabrey, Aja Monet and Sunni Patterson. Other festivities will continue throughout the weekend, closing at 7 p.m. Sunday with the Urban Art Orchestra paying tribute to the late hip-hop producer J Dilla.
When: Friday, Jan 19 at 8 p.m.
Where: August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown
