NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER’S
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION
PROMOTES SERVICE AND UNDERSTANDING
WHEN: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 16, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Independence Mall
Philadelphia, PA 19106
DETAILS: Quilting Service Project and Craft Activities, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In the spirit of Dr. King, visitors can participate in a quilting and sewing service project that benefits the local Philadelphia nonprofit, Women Against Abuse shelter. Participants will sew quilts, baby blankets and pillows for those in need while learning how quilting has brought communities together throughout history. Throughout the day children also will have the opportunity to make special crafts, including “Hands Across the World” chains and “I Have a Dream” mobiles.
“Two of a Kind” Sing-Along, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Visitors can take part in a sing-along concert with “Two of a Kind,” an award-winning, nationally touring, husband-wife duo who specialize in interactive musical programs for children. The performance will focus on themes related to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through songs, sign-language, movement, and stories, all with an emphasis on interaction and participation.
Dramatic Reading of “I Have a Dream” Speech, 12:00 p.m.
Students from local colleges and local actors will read aloud Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech at 12:00 p.m.
International Opera Theater presents The Heart of a Hero, 3:00 p.m.
A dramatic combination of gospel, opera, movement, poetry and spirituals,
International Opera Theater’s new work The Heart of a Hero tells the little known stories of minority Congressional Medal of Honor recipients: First Lieutenant John R. Fox of the 92nd Infantry Division, Private First Class David M. Gonzales of the 32nd Infantry Division and Combat Medic James K. Okubo of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The Heart of a Hero features the International Opera Theater Multicultural Children's Choir, which will sing along side featured tenor Sergeant First Class Colin Eaton, a soloist with the United States Army Chorus.
Fighting for Democracy exhibition, all day
Visitors to the Center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day also will have the final opportunity to experienceFighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We the People”? on the last day of its three-month run. This groundbreaking exhibition, which pairs a must-see, multimedia exhibition from the Japanese American National Museum with an original theatrical production, traces the real-life experiences of a diverse group of seven Americans who bravely fought for equality, freedom and justice during the World War II era and helped paved the way for the Civil Rights movement and Dr. King’s work.
