Though the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is Jan. 15, the nation celebrates the civil rights activist on the third Monday of the month. The city's annual parade will pay homage to King with a rousing march down Baltimore's aptly named boulevard, children will enjoy hands-on activities and jazz enthusiasts will reflect with live music.
"I HAVE A DREAM" WEEKEND: : Port Discovery honors King with interactive exhibits, including peace quilt-making with the African American Quilters of Baltimore and drum circles. Children can join The Kindersinger, Pam Minor, for a birthday tribute to King. Minor's interactive set includes sing-alongs and puppetry. The festivities take place Saturday-Monday at Port Discovery, 35 Market Place. Tickets are $12.95. Call 410-727-8120 or go to portdiscovery.org.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE: : The parade, now in its 10th year, honors community service by recognizing local organizations such as A Can Can Make A Difference and Baltimore Equality. Hear live music and see dance performances by Baltimore Westsiders, N-Full Motion Marching "Stallions" Band and more. Other highlights include the Baltimore County Corvette Club and the Mounted Unit of Maryland "Buffalo Soldiers." The parade begins noon Monday at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street and proceeds to Baltimore Street. Free. Go to promotionandarts.com.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: : The Reginald F. Lewis Museum hosts live music and film screenings, and offers craft-making for children. Also, the Rev. Frank Reid III, of Baltimore's Bethel A.M.E. Church, discusses King's book "Strength to Love." The pastor will illuminate King's philosophy as presented by this collection of sermons. The celebration starts 10 a.m. Monday (book discussion is at 2:30 p.m.) at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830. E. Pratt St. Tickets are $5. Call 443-263-1800 or go to africanamericanculture.org.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY: : On Monday, enjoy free admission to the quirky American Visionary Art Museum, which screens King's "I Have a Dream" speech all day, offers free birthday cake and hosts a make-your-own Shrinky Dink bar, part of the museum's "Life, Liberty & Pursuit of Happiness" exhibit. Live performances include local favorite Abu the Flutemaker, who plays music on instruments made of discarded objects, at 2 p.m., and Batala, a nearly 30-piece all-women percussion group, at 4 p.m. The celebration starts 10 a.m. Monday at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway. Free. Call 410-244-1900 or go to avam.org.
DR. KING REMEMBERED IN CONCERT: : The Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts hosts an emotional musical tribute. The Washington Symphonic Brass performs Joseph Schwantner's "New Morning for the World," which includes narration by Bill Ray, an African-American operatic bass. Renditions of Duke Ellington, Scott Joplin and Wynton Marsalis round out the set.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis. Tickets are $30. Call 410-263-5544 or go to marylandhall.org.