Following the wintry slowdown in Athens, the growing tradition of activities and festivities taking place over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend has made the federal holiday the kickoff for events in the new year. Its message pairs perfectly with the start of a new year, marking the resolution to embrace diversity while honoring unity and striving to build community. There are a number of ways to celebrate the holiday in Athens over the weekend and on the day itself detailed here.
45th Annual MLK Awards Banquet
Jan. 13 • Georgia Center for Continuing Education
A longstanding commemoration of community members, the theme of this year’s awards banquet is “It Starts with Me: Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence.” During the awards, individuals and organizations that have made an impact over the last year with their contributions to human relations will be honored. Community youth will also be recognized by awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors. Keynote speaker the Rev. Pippin Whitaker, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, will address the audience in addition to a musical performance by the Clarke Central High School concert choir. 5 p.m. FREE! humanrelationscouncil.org
Athens in Harmony Encore
Jan. 14 • The Foundry
The uplifting Athens in Harmony musical event returned last September for its sixth year after a pandemic-induced break. After the show sold out so quickly, the producers of the event—Pat Priest, Mokah Jasmine Johnson and Knowa Johnson—decided an encore performance was a must, especially after hearing the diverse group of musicians had become friends and wanted to perform together again. The event pairs unlikely duos of performers together across perceived barriers of race, culture and even genres. The encore performance, originally scheduled for November, was postponed due to circumstances out of the producers’ control and moved to MLK Day weekend. “The event sure resonates, though, with Dr. King’s belief in the importance of building a beloved community,” says Priest. “And right now, with the world seeming to be on fire, it’s especially uplifting to attend an event that connects us despite differences of race, ethnicity and religious beliefs. It seems like a sappy kumbaya moment, but singing ‘Give Peace a Chance’ at the end really is heartfelt, and the rappers—all young men of color—make it more inspiring still.” 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $20–25. [email protected]
ACC MLK Day of Service
Jan. 15 • Lay Park Gymnasium
For those looking to give back in honor of MLK Day, every year Athens-Clarke County hosts a convenient way to connect volunteers with organizations and service projects. This year approximately 30 organizations, schools and churches are participating. Among them are the Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Acceptance Recovery Center, Brooklyn Cemetery, Family Promise Athens, Project Safe and more. It’s highly recommended to register online to volunteer because there is limited walk-up registration available at the kick-off celebration, which includes light refreshments and free T-shirts for the first 400 volunteers. The online registration link will close on Friday, Jan. 12. 8:30–9:30 a.m. FREE! accgov.com/mlkday
8th Annual MLK Day Parade & Music Festival
Jan. 15 • Downtown Athens & 40 Watt Club
The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement and United Group of Artists co-present the eighth annual family-friendly downtown parade and festival featuring live music, a kids zone, food and vendors. The festivities begin at noon on the corner of Hull and Washington streets that are part of the historic Hot Corner block, with the parade taking place at 3 p.m. After the parade there will be a free day party that continues at the 40 Watt Club with special guest performances by Tabitha Duncan (Kut Klose) and 1BadAzzDrummer. There will also be performances by Anthony “AD” Dorsey, Kxng Blanco, Fhenix James, Brando, Domino 787 & Chiki Flow, Ron da Don Parys, Britt, Farin, Kuza, Motorhead 2X & Poet, Squallé, P.O. The Priceless One, Marco Hull, Jalen and Diedra Stroud. Every year the parade celebrates the legacy of King while promoting culture, equity and diversity in downtown with the participation of organizations, entrepreneurs and musicians from all over the Athens area. 12–6 p.m. FREE! athensmlkparade.com
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