Starting at the end of this week there will be concerts, tributes, and a parade in the DC Metro area honoring the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrating African-American history.  In addition to these special local events, across the nation volunteers will be pitching-in to help out community organizations on Monday, January 16, as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.  For service projects in your area (or to register your own service project) please visit mlkday.gov. 

Especially for elementary-aged children, we recommend "To the Mountaintop", a program at the National Museum of Natural History including re-enactments of some of Dr. King's most powerful speeches, and "The Color of Justice" at the Publick Playhouse, a play that explores the "separate but equal" doctrine through the experiences of a young girl.  Younger children will enjoy the "Valentines for Veterans" service project at the National Children's Museum Launch Zone and the pure joy of Adventure Theatre's "The Snowy Day," the first children's picture book to feature an African-American child as the main character.  

And, of course, if you haven't yet now is the perfect time for the family to visit the new Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, dedicated in the fall of 2011.   The impressive memorial is located at 1964 Independence Ave., SW, symbolically sited along the Tidal Basin between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.    

District of Columbia 

Jan. 13 -  27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program - National Museum of Natural History

Jan. 14 - KanKouran West African Dance Co. performance at the Dance Place

Jan. 14-16 - To the Mountaintop - Words of Martin Luther King Jr. - National Museum of American History

Jan. 16 - "King in Our Midst": Celebration Service & Concert at the National Cathedral

Jan. 16 - Ward 8 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and March for Statehood

Jan. 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Lunch Cruise

Jan. 22 - Living the Dream...Singing the Dream: Tribute at the Kennedy Center

Maryland 

Jan. 13 - "The Color of Justice" at the Publick Playhouse

Jan. 14 - Martin Luther King Day of Service - National Children's Museum Launch Zone

Jan. 14-16 - Martin Luther King Days 2012 - Annmarie Garden

Jan. 16 - Montgomery County Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Strathmore

Jan. 16 - Free Screening of "King: A Filmed Record...Montgomery to Memphis" at AFI Silver Theatre

Jan. 16 - Rockville's 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Event

Jan. 20 - Feb. 12 - "The Snowy Day" at Adventure Theatre

Virginia 

Jan. 14 - Reston Community Orchestra's Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute

Jan. 15 - 43rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute at Washington-Lee High School

Jan. 15 - 9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at McLean's Alden Theatre

Jan. 16 - Martin Luther King Poster Contest Awards - Alexandria City Hall

For more information about these events please visit DC Metro Mom's Calendar.  And, if you know of an event we missed, please let us know at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll add it to the calendar.  Thanks and enjoy the holiday weekend!