Celebrations on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Western MA

MLK Jr. Kid's Celebration at the Florence Community Center in Florence, MA on Monday, January 17th from 10am-12Noon for kids 2-6yo. Also at 10am, across the street from the Florence Community Center, a guided tour of Florence's African American History will begin at the Sojourner Truth Memorial Stature - great history opportunity for older students.

Monday, January 17th, 2011

9am-2pm in Greenfield: MLK Day Celebration. Join Community Action Youth Programs for the MLK Day Family Event at the 2nd Congregational Church (16 Court Square). This event has been organized by Shout Out! Greenfield. The day will include: Conflict Resolution Workshops focusing on race, facilitated by Sasha Alexander Goldberg and Sheila Petingy; Full family style luncheon (vegan friendly); Local performers including the Franklin County Technical School’s Drum and Bugle Squad; Youth Speakers focusing on the powerful messages of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. RSVP 774-7028 x655 (FREE)

9:30-4pm in Sturbridge: Old Sturbridge Village presents “Honoring a Slave Heroine: The Mumbet Story” as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities at 1pm. The performance is based on the true story of Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, a young slave woman who won her freedom in court in 1781, citing language in the Massachusetts constitution: “all men are born free and equal.”All MLK Jr. Day programs at Old Sturbridge Village are included in the cost of admission to the museum. For more information: 800-SEE-1830; http://www.osv.org (FREE child admission when accompanied by an adult)

10am-12Noon in Florence: MLK Jr Children’s Celebration at the Florence Community Center (140 Pine St.) for kids 2-6yo. Dancing, drumming, arts & crafts and singing. (Donations accepted, but not required.)

10am in Florence: Walking tour of Florence’s African American History. Steve Strimer will lead the community on a guided tour. Meet at the Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue (Park/Pine St. corner) 584-8974 (FREE)

1pm in Springfield: Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Springfield Museum with Black History Laser Tribute by Prismatic Magic – Celebrate the contributions of African-Americans in this musical retrospective that features toe-tapping songs from legends such as Louie Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin. The show evolves into a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with his powerful “I Have a Dream” address. The performance ends with a medley of current pop artists of various ethnicities who have been inspired by the musical legends featured earlier in the program. 263-6800 http://www.springfieldmuseums.org (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)