Many workers receive Monday off work due to the observation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We’ve put together a list of five things that either honor MLK or demonstrate his values if you want to celebrate him during this holiday weekend.
Annual MLK Tribute Concert from Chicago Sinfonietta
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The Chicago Sinfonietta performs a tribute concert for Martin Luther King Jr. every year. This year’s edition features former Project Inclusion Freeman Fellows Kellen Gray and Kedrick Armstrong acting as guest conductors for the show, which features six musical numbers. Plus, the Sinfonietta announced Friday that it will offer half-off tickets for the performances if Chicago accumulates six inches of snow this weekend. Use the code “SNOWDAY” to get the discount online, via phone or at venue box offices.
3 p.m. Sunday at Wentz Concert Hall (171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville)
7:30 p.m. Monday at Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan Ave.)
Tickets: $10-$62. chicagosinfonietta.secure.force.com
King Day Festival: Long Journey into Freedom
The Art Institute of Chicago curates a variety of activities — for children and adults, from talks to craft-making — to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Guests are also encouraged to visit current AIC exhibition “Night Coming Tenderly, Black,” which showcases photographs by Chicago artist Dawoud Bey. The King Day Festival is free to all members of the public, and Illinois residents can enjoy free admission to the museum itself for the day.
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday at the Ryan Learning Center in the Art Institute of Chicago Modern Wing (159 E. Monroe St.)
Details: artic.edu
MLK Celebration Day
The Hyde Park Art Center will host an MLK Day celebration featuring a variety of free movie screenings — “Hidden Figures,” “The Man Who Knew Infinity,” “The March,” and “Brother Outsider” — art-making activities, workshops and other different performances. “Drop in anytime!” according to the Facebook event description.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave.
Details: hydeparkart.org
8th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration
The 8th annual edition of the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago’s MLK Day celebration features a “performance (from Muntu Dance Theater) and marketing fair promoting the Black arts community,” as well as readings of excerpts from Jackie Taylor’s “Black Renaissance.” The fair and reception begin at 6 p.m., then the performance begins at 7 p.m.
6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday at Black Ensemble Theater (4450 N. Clark St.)
Tickets: $20. eventbrite.com
Books and brews
826CHI, a local nonprofit that promotes writing and creative in Chicago kids, will host a books and brews event to support its cause. Hosted at Lagunitas Taproom, the event will also feature books written by 826CHI students to pair with your favorite brew. Oh, and there will be food, from Antique Taco, Chicago Diner, Jewell Events Catering and Roots Pizza. The event suggests a $15 cover in order to help fund 826CHI’s tuition-free programs.
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5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday at Lagunitas Chicago Taproom (2607 W. 17th St.)
Details: $15 suggested donation. eventbrite.com