A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
at Providence Children’s Museum
Monday, January 17, 2011
11:30am-4:00pm

Providence Children’s Museum presents a powerful celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 17. The celebration features an exhibit, activities and a live performance with songs and stories and is free with Museum admission of $8.50 per person.

Award-winning storytellers and actors Rochel Coleman and Valerie Tutson portray Civil Rights activists Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks and more in their moving “M.L.K: Amazing Grace” at 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. Coleman and Tutson have performed the show at venues throughout the country. They emphasize that, despite its serious subject, “M.L.K.” is not all grave and solemn; the production includes a number of light moments of repartee and song with its important message.

“In the case of the Civil Rights Movement, what has to be remembered is that everyone participated, black, white, brown, Asian and Native American,” said Coleman. “When you apply that to today, it only makes sense that the nature of race relations would focus on what was essentially Dr. King’s dream, to unite all people, to become one nation.”

From 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, families can also browse an exhibit of photographs, text and a selection of carefully chosen books about the American Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence. Visitors can choose to participate in a thought-provoking interactive exploration of the negative power of discrimination, during which they encounter “red only” and “green only” labels throughout the Museum. Educators will be on hand to talk to families following this provocative exercise and invite them to record their responses.

“While we marvel that race relations in our country have come so far in our lifetimes,” explained Children’s Museum Executive Director Janice O’Donnell, “we also believe that our children need to understand the struggle that led to this day, and to understand that racism is still something we must confront and work to eradicate. There have been great gains and there is more to be done.”

This powerful, popular annual celebration at the Museum, sponsored in part by Herman H. Rose, offers an educational and hands-on approach to learning about the work and times of Dr. King and other activists who took a stand against injustice and gives families a valuable opportunity to discuss the difficult subject of racial discrimination.

Providence Children’s Museum