Art, music, science and more: Your MLK Day events guide for the Pittsburgh area

Photo above by Unseen Histories via Unsplash.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is on Jan. 20, and it’s a perfect day to celebrate Dr. King’s commitment to social justice and equality. Many schools are closed that day, so we’ve gathered for you a roundup of events for families to experience together in the day and evening.

Jan. 17-26: “Looking Forward: The Ruby Bridges Story,” New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts. In 1960, a 6-year-old girl named Ruby Bridges becomes the first African American student to attend an all-white grade school in New Orleans. Experience her remarkable journey as she blazes a trail for generations to follow. Tickets are $39 for grownups, $19 for kids. The Jan. 17 performance is pay what you can. A sensory-friendly performance is planned for Jan. 25.

Jan. 20: 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast at La Roche University. Doors at the Zappala Campus Center open at 8:00 a.m. for an 8:30 breakfast focused on the theme, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The keynote speaker is Dr. Angela Reynolds, CEO of YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh. The MLK Unity Breakfast Committee will honor local high school students who have a dream for a better world with the Spirit of Unity Essay Awards. And in keeping with “MLK Day of Service,” several local nonprofit organizations will share their need for volunteers; and following the program, attendees can choose to participate in a service project for the second half of the morning. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for students grades K-12, plus online processing fees. Advanced registration is required by Jan. 15.

Jan. 20: Day Off at the Museum: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Carnegie Museum of Art. Young artists ages 6 through 10 are invited to spend their day off from school immersed in art, learning and fun. Registration is $75. (Also, drop in at the Carnegie on Jan. 19, 3 to 5 p.m., to see a curated selection of Charles “Teenie” Harris’s photographs that connect the work of Dr. King to national civil rights movements, public school education, neighborhood organizing for racial and economic justice, and family and church gatherings.)

Jan. 20: The Children’s Museum and MuseumLab celebration. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., make art inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of hope and kindness with guest artist and muralist Kayla Thomas. You can also write your own poems and speeches based on Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, and share your own dreams with poet M. Smalls. And don’t miss the museum’s special storytime exploring Dr. King’s life and legacy. Details here.

Jan. 20: SLB Radio’s“Streaming Justice.” Also happening at the Children’s Museum, where SLB’s Youth Media Center is located, the SLB team will once again be hosting Streaming Justice. From 3 to 6 p.m., and repeating until midnight, tune in to Streaming Justice, SLB Radio’s annual teen-hosted talk show about issues of civil rights and social justice. Listen at www.youthexpress.org or via the TuneIn or the Simple Radio app.

(As of Jan. 9, the SLB team is still looking for a few more teen hosts for Streaming Justice: Students in Grades 6 to 12 are invited to help host one-hour segments of this live radio talk show, which is SLB’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day live broadcast focusing on civil rights — past, present and future. The broadcast will feature 100% teen hosts and teen-selected topics, music, conversation, listener phone calls and more. No experience is needed! Complete details and a simple application are available right here.)

Jan. 20: In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King: An MLK Day Celebration Through Art & Advocacy, Kelly Strayhorn Theater. KST’s annual day of reflection, unity and creative expression, happening from 1 to 4 p.m., begins with activities in the lobby, followed by performances in the theater. Included are Hill Dance Academy Theatre faculty, Guardians of Sound’s Hip Hop Orchestra and students from Los Sabrosos Dance Company. Admission is “pay what moves you” from $0-$25.

Jan. 20: Open House at the Westmoreland Museum of Art. Visit the museum for  a special celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy, presented in partnership with the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition. Events running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. include a Unity Candle Lighting ceremony, live performances throughout the museum, information on local organizations, and art and activities for all ages. Details here.

Jan. 20: Pittsburgh Glass Center’s Free Community Day. Kids and adults can get creative on MLK Day at PGC. You can drop in between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to learn about glass and enjoy hands-on activities that demonstrate the importance of teamwork in the creative process. Glassblowing and neon/plasma demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day. Details here.

Jan. 20: Citizens Science Lab Open House. This very cool nonprofit educational space in the South Hills, founded by a Black research biologist and focused on creating science-literate communities through fun and engaging hands-on STEM experiences, is hosting a free MLK Day Open House from 1 to 3 p.m. It’s a great way to enjoy hands-on science for all ages.

Jan. 20: Let Freedom Sing, Kelly Strayhorn Theater. The 18^th-annual Let Freedom Sing Concert at 7:30 p.m. celebrates the social justice legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through vocal and instrumental music as well as spoken word. Tickets are “pay what moves you” from $2-$50.