From an entire weekend of family-friendly activities at the Missouri History Museum to a free concert at Powell Hall, there are many ways to celebrate and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
WHAT: MLK COMMUNITY CELEBRATION 2023
WHERE: Missouri History Museum
WHEN: Various times, Jan. 14 to 16
Youth activism workshops, storytelling, meaningful conversations on race and social justice and “gospel yoga” in the Grand Hall are just some of experiences planned this weekend at the Missouri History Museum in celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Youth activism workshops for middle- and high-school students are set to take place at different times during the three-day event, encouraging participants use their own to question, explain, elaborate and interpret their concepts of societal justice. A family-friendly Black History Scavenger Hunt includes make-and-takes of advocacy-inspired crafts. On Sunday, a keynote address features Lynne M. Jackson, who will speak about her family’s legacy and reconciliation, and about ways to break the generational cycles of injustices. Jackson, the president and founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation, is the great-great-granddaughter of Dread and Harriet Scott.
All events are free. A complete schedule is available on the Missouri History Museum’s MLK Community Celebration page.
WHAT: ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
WHERE: Powell Hall
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 16
For the first time, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will perform a free community concert celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy through music.
Music director Stéphane Denève and IN UNISON chorus director Kevin McBeth will lead the orchestra and its resident choral ensembles during the one-hour concert featuring the music of Rollo Dilworth, Adolphus Hailstork and Florence Price. In addition, traditional hymns and anthems alongside St. Louis composer Adam Maness’ “Divides That Bind,” commissioned by the SLSO in 2015, will be performed.
The concert is free, but tickets are required. For reservations, visit the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra website.
WHAT: ST. LOUIS JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY BOOKEND EVENT
WHERE: St. Louis Jewish Community Center
WHEN: 7 p.m., Jan. 17
Jessica Nordell, author of “The End of Bias: A Beginning,” will participate in a St. Louis Jewish Book Festival Bookend Event to talk about her exploration into how unintentional bias and discrimination can be eradicated.
Nordell’s book is a culmination of 15 years of digging deep into the cognitive science, social psychology and developmental research of the subject matter, exploring what works and why. Her findings? Biased behavior can change and her book outlines how people can transform themselves and the world.
The event is free, but reservations are required.
WHAT: GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK FEE-FREE DAY
WHERE: Gateway Arch
WHEN: Jan. 16
The National Park Service has announced a series of fee-free days for 2023, including on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16.
At the Gateway Arch National Park, the $3 entrance fee included in each adult Tram Ride to the Top ticket and adult Documentary Movie ticket is waived.
In addition to Jan. 16, other fee-free days are: April 22 (First Day of National Park Week), Aug. 4 (Great American Outdoors Day), Sept. 23 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day).
Visitors are strongly encouraged to get Tram Ride to the Top tickets in advance.
Powell Hall’s Transformation Will Be Game-Changer for Grand Center
