Poetry & ‘Reflections’ Will Help Celebrate King’s Legacy

NEW HAVEN — The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection will present “Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s Legacy of Environmental & Social Justice: A Free Family Festival,” exploring local and global perspectives through performances, arts and educational activities.

Dr King strove to raise awareness about urban environmental issues and public health concerns that disproportionately affect communities of color. While these issues by no means have disappeared in the last three decades, great strides have been made in many communities to bring such inequalities to light and to improve living and working conditions. Dr King was a pioneer in these efforts.

Two days of activities have been planned to celebrate the progress that has been achieved and to continue the optimism for the future. Fun and educational activities for families and people of all ages and backgrounds will be presented Sunday and Monday, January 16-17.

Events will also include performances by members of the New Haven community and from around the world, interactive displays of the local natural environment, children’s storytelling, and a participatory drum circle.

The Arnold J. Alderman Memorial Lecture will be presented on Sunday afternoon beginning at 2. Guest speaker Jim Lucas has toured the country with “Reflections,” his one-man performance of excerpts from MLK’s famous speeches. Mr Lucas brings to life the words, background and experience of Dr King during his short life at a Civil Rights leader.

His speech and inflection are said to bear a “remarkable resemblance” to Dr King, and his programs are “awe-inspiring.”

A highlight of Monday’s programming will be a community poetry open mic, offering a chance for members of the community of all age to share their original poetry or rap and to speak their minds on issues of justice and injustice.

The open mic/readings will be Monday, January 17, from 11 am until 12:30 pm. An invitation-only slam competition will then be presented from 1:30 to 4:30.

Registration for the open mic must be received by Monday, January 17, at 10:45 am, and can be done in person, by email (Zannettel@aol.com) or over the phone at 203-281-5860. All participants will receive a T-shirt and will be entered into a lottery for a one-year Peabody Museum membership.

The programs will take place at The Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue. All are free of charge. Call the museum, 203-432-3776, or visit        www.peabody.yale.edu                      for details.