Dream Works

Celebrating MLK Jr. Day

by Deesha Dyer

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Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. means more than lounging around on your Monday off. Luckily, Philly has plenty of volunteer opportunities, art happenings and discussions to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. So get out, get messy, get talking — all in the name of humanity.

Mon., Jan. 21, 6 p.m., $35

Geechee Girl Rice Café will host an exhibit benefiting the Goodlands Photography Project, which encourages students from West Kensington and Fairhill to capture the positive elements of their often stereotyped neighborhoods. (Pictured is a piece by S. Herrera, age 10.) At the opening reception, you can munch on snacks by chef Valerie Erwin, meet some of the young artists and buy selected work. Geechee Girl Rice Café, 6825 Germantown Ave., 215-843-8113, geecheegirlricecafe.com.

Mon., Jan. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Founded by Kristin Groenveld, Art Sphere Inc. is dedicated to empowering Philly youth through artistic expression. In honor of MLK Jr. Day, they'll continue the beautification of the Fishtown Rec Center with the help of volunteers. The stencil-and-painting project aims to restore the uniqueness of Fishtown by overwriting the vandalism that has plagued the parks and playgrounds. Registration required. Fishtown Recreation Center, 1201 E. Montgomery Ave., 215-413-3955, artsphere.org.

Sat., Jan. 19, 2 p.m., free

Join illustrators E.B. Lewis and Elbrite Brown for some family-friendly fun and discussions at Robin's Bookstore. Lewis lent his Alphabet, which uses the ABCs to teach black history. Brown — whose illustrations won him an award named after MLK Jr.'s late wife, Coretta Scott King — will share his new work in Playing to Win, about tennis player Althea Gibson. Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600, robinsbookstore.com.

Sat., Jan. 26, noon—5 p.m., free

Before his untimely death, MLK Jr. laid the foundation for the Poor People's Campaign, a collective that explores economic justice and issues that contribute to the overwhelming poverty in America. Hosted by Geoclan.com — a Philly-based Web site dedicated to providing a forum for multicultural news and happenings — this symposium will include informative workshops from organizations such as Youth Health Empowerment Project and Philadelphia Student Union. Additionally, a panel discussion featuring Metro columnist and Temple professor Marc Lamont Hill and representatives from the Kensington Welfare Rights Union will dive deeper into the social effects of poverty. The Carriage House, 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, geoclan.com.

Mon., Jan. 21, 10 a.m.– 3 p.m., $18

Little ones should dress for a mess if they plan on participating in this celebration at Cheltenham Center for the Arts. The day will use theater, music, painting and costumes to explore the idea of diversity with children ages 6 to 12. At the end of the afternoon, budding dramatists will come together and create their own theatrical masterpiece based on what they've learned. Registration required. Cheltenham Center for the Arts, 439 Ashbourne Rd., Cheltenham, 215-379-4660, cheltenhamarts.org.