Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit
Jan. 15, 2016 (Friday prior)
Address: 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Phone: 313-577-5284
Time: 10 a.m.
Cost: $10/program, $65/program and luncheon
Wayne State University hosts the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tribute luncheon, which features keynote speaker and civil rights leader Van Jones, who is a Yale-educated attorney and former Obama White House advisor, has written two New York Times bestsellers, and works as a CNN political correspondent. He is speaking to honor and celebrate the life of Dr. King.
Walgreen Drama Center in Ann Arbor
Jan. 17, 2016
Address: 1226 Murfin Ave., Ann Arbor
Phone: 734-764-0583
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate MLK Day with performances by three students, an interview of James McBride, and a performance by McBride and his jazz band. This event is part of the MLK Symposium #WhoWillBeNext.
Milford’s MLK Day Celebration
Jan. 17-18, 2016
Address: Prospect Hill, downtown Milford and the Suzanne Haskew Arts Center, 125 S. Main St., Milford
Time: 1 p.m. Sunday, 4-7 p.m. Monday
Costs: Free/march on Sunday; bowl project: $10/child, $15/adult
The city of Milford offers a couple family events to help celebrate this special day. The March on Main Street on Sunday kicks off at 1 p.m. and is followed by a performance of the national anthem, hot beverages and more. On Monday, head to the Suzanne Haskew Arts Center for the Empty Bowl Project Charity Event to paint a ceramic bowl as part of a grassroots effort of end hunger.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
Phone: 313-494-5800
Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free with museum admission: $8/ages 13-61, $5/ages 3-12, free/under 3
Today is this historical hotspot’s busiest day of the year. Arrive early and spend the entire day enjoying arts and crafts, musical performances, storytelling, video tributes, special displays and more. A breakfast (for an additional $35) kicks off the festivities at 8 a.m.
Athens High School in Troy
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 4333 John R St., Troy
Phone: 248-524-1147
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Cost: Free; donations accepted
All are welcome to join Athens High School as it hosts a multi-activity event, titled A Celebration of Freedom, full of art displays, essays and guest speakers.
Farmington Community Library Main Branch
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 32737 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
Phone: 248-553-0300
Time: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
The event begins at 9 a.m. at Prince of Peace Church (28000 New Market Road), with a one-third-mile walk to the library. There, the O.E. Dunckel Middle School Choir performs at 10:15 a.m., followed by a keynote presentation by Harry Weaver from the Detroit Anti-Defamation League at around 10:45 a.m. Then, there’s a reading by poet Ber-Henda Williams at 11:30 a.m., storytelling with Gwen Lewis at 1 p.m., a performance by the Harrison High School Dance Company at 2:15 p.m., and a community discussion forum on civil rights, immigration and refugees, which is new this year, later in the day. Plus, there’s crafts going on in the children’s room (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Note: All times are an estimate of when activities will begin. There will be an artist display by First Circle on the Main Level in the non-fiction area, too.
MLK Peace Walk Celebration in Southfield
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: Hope United Methodist Church and Southfield Pavilion (addresses in description below)
Time 9:30 a.m./walk, 11 a.m./program
Cost: Free
Families gather at Hope United Methodist Church (26275 Northwestern Highway) for this 31-year-old walk commemorating Martin Luther King Jr., sponsored by Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force, Inc. The program afterward happens at the Southfield Pavilion (26000 Evergreen Road).
Henry Ford Museum
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: Henry Ford Museum, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
Phone: 313-982-6001
Time: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate MLK’s life with live music, hands-on activities and crafts.
University of Michigan Detroit Center
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 3663 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Phone: 313-593-3584
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
This event features a screening of the original symposium followed by a complimentary lunch, and a panel discussion titled Leading for Today and Tomorrow. Registration not required, but appreciated.
Detroit Historical Museum
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Phone: 313-833-7935
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Today, the museum offers a wide variety of activities, crafts and performances that let families of all backgrounds play together, and learn of King’s life and legacy, in honor of his 87th birthday.
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 220 E. Ann St., Ann Arbor
Phone: 734-995-5439
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $6/ages 2-plus (special pricing)
On MLK Jr. Day, the AAHOM offers a reduced admission rate and tons of fun. Kids can use toys to discover their inner engineer in the museum’s “pop-up makerspace” – and today, the challenge is to build a bell and make a ramp.
Burton Memorial Tower in Ann Arbor
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 881 University Ave., Ann Arbor
Phone: 734-764-0583
Time: noon
Cost: Free
This event is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium and features a performance by U-M carillonists performing music by various African American composers on the 54-bell carillon in the tower. You can listen outside, or climb the tower to see the bells.
Painting with a Twist in Ferndale
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 200 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
Phone: 248-850-7182
Time: Rainbow Love: 1-3 p.m., MLK Bridge: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: $25/seat for rainbow love, $35/seat for MLK Bridge
Create your own MLK Day masterpiece at this Ferndale spot. There are two MLK Day options this year: “Rainbow Love,” for ages 7-plus, and “MLK Bridge,” for adults. Register in advance to secure seat.
Barton Nature Area in Ann Arbor
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: West Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor
Phone: 734-794-6627
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Natural Area Preservation, an organization that works to protect nature spaces in Ann Arbor, encourages local residents to use their MLK Day off to volunteer. Head here and help remove invasive shrubs and clean up the area. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes (dress for weather!). Tools, snacks and training provided.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Phone: 313-833-7900
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: free/screening, free/admission to the museum for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, free/kids 5 and under and members; others: $12.50/museum admission for adults, $6/museum admission for kids, $7/museum admission for college students
The 1970s documentary King: A Filmed Record … Montgomery to Memphis, follows the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and plays today.
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
Phone: 734-327-4200
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Biakuye Percussion Group performs a special show for kids in grades K and older – plus adults.
Flint Public Library
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 1026 E. Kearsley St., Flint
Phone: 810-232-7111
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
This annual event celebrates the life of MLK Jr. with keynote speech by Flint’s Mayor, Dr. Karen Weaver, an message inspired by King’s work as a Civil Rights’ leader called, A Legacy of Leadership, a musical performance, a re-enactment of the iconic, I Have a Dream speech, crafts and more. Note: activities at the Flint Institute of Arts follow this event.
Flint Institute of Arts
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint
Phone: 810-234-1695
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy a step performance by The Gamma Delta Kudos and the Kappa Leadership League, followed by a jazz performance by The Reichlin Small group. There’s light refreshments and an opportunity to create thematic murals inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., too. Note: Activities at the library precede this event.
Baldwin Public Library
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 300 W. Merrill St., Birmingham
Phone: 248-647-1700
Time: 3-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Miz Rosie entertains kids of all ages with music played on African music, African American folktales and more – all in celebration of MLK Day.
Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton
Jan. 18, 2016
Address: 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton
Phone: 734-394-5460
Time: 6 p.m.
Cost: $2/general admission
This tribute, titled Canton Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., celebrates his legacy with music and dance. There will be a luncheon, presentation by a keynote speaker, and MLK-themed artwork by local high school students on display, too.
