Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Will Feature a Play

Monday is set aside to honor the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and part of the celebration includes a play, as you can read in this story from the Herald-Dispatch:

A play with a serious message, kids activities and the traditional march are planned as part of the 16th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Huntington.

This year's theme for the celebration is "A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." The program is presented by the Marshall University Division of Multicultural Affairs.

The events begin at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, with a series of youth activities at the A.D. Lewis Center in Huntington. Students from throughout the area have been invited to take part in activities, which include fun and creative exercises led by Marshall University professors and students in writing, theater and career opportunities. The center is located at 1450 AD Lewis Ave.

The traditional march will form at 4 p.m. at the 16th Street Baptist Church, 1647 9th Ave., and will take marchers via 20th Street to the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. Huntington Mayor Kim Wolfe will be this year's grand marshal. The parade is open to the public.

The celebration will end with the play 1001 Black Inventions at 5 p.m. in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. 1001 Black Inventions features the lives of men and women and focuses on how a typical American family attempts to survive in a world without the inventions created by Africans and African Americans. The play focuses on black ingenuity being an integral part of their daily lives.

A dessert reception will follow, and music will be provided by Charles Lloyd, pianist. Although tickets are required for the performance, they are free and may be obtained by calling 304-696-4677.

"I am honored that Marshall University's Division of Multicultural Affairs is an integral part of the celebration of Dr. King's life, which demonstrates unity between campus and community and idealizes Dr. King's vision," said Dr. Shari Williams-Clarke, MU's vice president of Multicultural Affairs, in a prepared release.

All of the events are open to the public.