Guide to events around Rochester celebrating legacy of Dr. King

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes place on Monday, Jan. 20 and the Rochester area is holding events to honor to the legacy of the civil rights icon.

Here are some of the events happening before, during, and after the federal holiday. As a reminder, government offices, neighborhood service centers, rec centers, the city’s animal services, and public libraries will be closed on Monday.

Annual MLK Day Community Celebration at Kodak Hall (Monday, Jan. 20) 

The Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission holding its 40th annual celebration with a worship service and music at Kodak Hall within the Eastman Theatre.

It takes place at 9 a.m. The theme will be “maintaining infinite hope” and it features a message from Pastor Sebrone Johnson. You can learn more about the celebration and the work on the commission here.

RMSC (Monday, Jan. 20)

RMSC is celebrating the legacy of Dr. King with a day of events. The RMSC Glowforge Laser will make buttons with quotes from MLK and his contemporaries. Guests can also decorate a patch in honor of the Civil Rights Movement.

Here are other events planned, which run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can learn more here.

• In His Words: Listen and watch important and notable speeches by MLK in the Bausch Auditorium, including “Other America,” I Have a Dream,” and more.

• The Green Book: Explore the history, locations and significance of The Green Book Motorist Guide, by Victor Hugo Green. Use the Green Book and maps to explore different routes and locations from this important and essential book.

• Coloring Station: Take a break to color MLK themed coloring pages.

Strong National Museum of Play (Monday, Jan. 20)

Strong Museum is celebrating the legacy of Dr. King with performances and activities. Guests can add their dreams to the Wall of Hope at the Adams Atrium within the museum.

There will also be a performance from the YMCA’s Dreamseeds band at 11:30 a.m. at the atrium. Then, there will be a performance of “Meet Dr. King”, an introduction to his work with freedom, integration, and equality. It’s taking place at the Paychex Theatre at 1 p.m. Learn more here.

1199SEIU union (Monday, Jan. 20)

Healthcare workers and other members of the 1199SEIU union are holding their 44th annual celebration of MLK Day. It’s taking place at the Strong Memorial Hospital Class of ’62 Auditorium from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can learn more here.

Weeks before he was assassinated, Dr. King addressed union members and called 1199 the “authentic conscience of the labor movement”. 1199SEIU says they continue to carry out Dr. King’s legacy by fighting injustice in all its forms.

Keynote address at RIT (Wednesday, Jan. 29)

Rochester Institute of Technology is holding its annual Expressions of King’s Legacy. The free event at the Gordon Field House runs from noon to 2 p.m.

It features a keynote speech and Q&A session from Deborah Archer, the eighth president of the American Civil Liberties Union. It also features a performance by Garth Fagan Dance. You can register here.

Commemorative address at the U of R (Thursday, Jan. 30)

The University of Rochester is hosting a commemorative address to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, featuring a star actor.

Actor Giancarlo Esposito, who played businessman Gus Fring on the TV show “Breaking Bad”, will deliver the address. The free event runs from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the Strong Auditorium on the River Campus. The address has been a tradition since 2001, highlighting diversity, freedom, civil rights, and social justice. You can register here.