Madison MLK Day Events

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, sit with three of their four children in their Atlanta, Ga, home, on March 17, 1963. From left are: Martin Luther King III, 5, Dexter Scott, 2, and Yolanda Denise, 7.

Life’s most urgent and persistent question is: what are you doing for others?
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every year, on January 16, the day Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, people across the nation join together to recognize the achievements of someone who really changed our country. Here are some events across Madison that celebrate an amazing human being:

Monday, January 16, 2017

9 a.m.: MLK Youth Service Day 2012: “A dedication to service … A discovery of science.” Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, 330 N. Orchard St. The event for middle and high school youth will both honor and reflect on the life of King and learn how science and service can intersect. There is no cost to attend, but registration is limited to the first 300 registrants. Information: 608-729-1200.

1:15 p.m.: The Figure Skating Club of Madison will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a service project of making blankets for Project Linus. After their project the club will perform a free show from 1:15 to 2:50 p.m. at the Madison Ice Arena, 725 Forward Drive. The public is encouraged to bring a pair or two of socks to donate to Middleton Outreach Ministry. A public skate will follow from 2:50 to 3:50 p.m. Free skate rentals will be available. Information: 608-204-7606.

6 p.m.: The 27th annual City/County King Holiday Observance will be held at the Overture Center Capitol Theater, 201 State St. The keynote speaker is the Rev. C.T. Vivian, who helped found the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference and helped organize the first sit-ins in Nashville in 1960 and the first civil rights march in 1961. Vivian rode the first “Freedom Bus” into Jackson, Miss., and went on to work alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in Birmingham, Selma, Chicago, Nashville and the March on Washington.

In addition to the keynote address, the event will feature the presentation of the annual City/County Dr. King Awards. Music will be provided by the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir led by noted local music director Leotha Stanley. This event is free and open to the public.

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