Brooklyn prepares to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The iconic Civil Rights Leader Would Have turned 89 this Monday

January 11, 2018 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

In this Thursday photo, the bust of civil rights activist and leader Martin Luther King Jr. is draped with a wreath of flowers to commemorate his birthday in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Share this:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and his message has been an inspiration for generations to people throughout the world. The spokesman and leader of the civil rights movement would have been 89 years old this Monday, and Brooklyn is celebrating the anniversary of his birth in various ways and in a number of locations this weekend.

On Saturday, Jan. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. the Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents “Martin Luther King Tribute: Spirit of Hope.” The program will feature selections from renowned opera baritone Lester Lynch’s recent recording “On My Journey Now: Spirituals & Hymns,” as well as performances by the BMS faculty and students. BMS is located at 126 Saint Felix St. and tickets are $5.

From Saturday to Monday, Jan. 15, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum at 145 Brooklyn Ave. will honor King with three days of history and fun, where families will celebrate the themes of diversity, equality, freedom and resistance that King believed in. The cost is $11.

On Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) at 30 Lafayette Ave. presents its 32nd annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., New York City’s largest public celebration in honor of the iconic civil rights leader.

This is tribute brings world-renowned activists, intellectuals and civic leaders together with musicians and other performers to pay tribute to King’s legacy and to help keep his message alive.

The free event is presented by BAM, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York, Martha Redbone and The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir. This year’s keynote speaker will be Jelani Cobb.

Also on Monday from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture at 53 Prospect Park West offers a family event to celebrate King with African music, drumming, dance, face painting, African crafts, stories, food and costumes. The cost is $20 for children 3 to 12 years old, free to kids 2 years old or younger and $5 for adults and teens accompanying a child.