Community Corner

5 Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day Around Royal Oak

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here are five ways to recognize the day.

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here are five ways to recognize the day.

1. Visit the Detroit Zoo

  • Where: Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak
  • When: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday
  • Why go: The Detroit Zoological Society is offering a discount of $2 off all regular-price admissions to the Detroit Zoo in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The discount is available only with a coupon, which can be printed off the Zoo’s website (visit www.detroitzoo.org and click on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day banner on the home page).
2. Celebrate at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
  • Where: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 East Warren Avenue at Brush Street, Detroit
  • When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday
  • Why go: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is The Wright Museum's busiest day of the year - and with good reason. It's an exciting day of celebration that includes children's workshops, arts and crafts, musical performances, storytelling, video tributes, special displays of MLK-related artifacts including The Table of Brotherhood and a scale model of the Martin Luther King Jr., National Memorial in Washington D.C., and more.
3. Savor the day at the 12th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast
  • Where: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 East Warren Avenue, Detroit
  • When: 8-10 a.m. Monday
  • Cost: $35
  • Tickets: thewright.org
  • Why go:  Breakfast is from 8 - 9 a.m. in the Ford Freedom Rotunda followed by a program in the General Motors Theater featuring Reverend Dr. Carlyle Fielding Stewart III, Senior Pastor, Hope United Methodist Church, Charleston; Charleston, South Carolina'scontemporary violinist Daniel Davis performing "The Dream Today;" China Cochran, Lyric Soprano; 2013 Miss Michigan American Sweetheart Isabella Vesprini; and the Institute of Music & Dance at Marygrove College.
4. Watch King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery To Memphis
  • Where: The Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
  • When: 2 p.m. Monday
  • Cost: $8.50; DIA members, seniors and students, $6.50. 
  • Why go: This monumental documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968, in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King's speeches, protests, and arrests are interspersed with scenes of other high-profile supporters and opponents of the cause, punctuated by heartfelt testimonials by some of Hollywood's biggest stars. See more at: www.dia.org.
5. Check out a book at the Royal Oak Public Library
  • Where: Royal Oak Public Library, 222 E. 11 Mile Road
  • When: 10 a.m - 9 p.m. Monday
  • Why go: Want more information on the civil rights icon? Check out the library for information about Martin Luther King Jr. There are autobiographies, memoirs and audiobooks available for children and adults.

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