More than a day off from work or school, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a congressionally declared day of service. In line with the civil rights activist’s work toward equality, the idea is to spend the day doing good deeds. Here are some local ways to get involved on and around Jan. 20, as well as commemorative gatherings and performances celebrating the reverend’s powerful and lasting legacy.
MLK Day of Service
Volunteer Arlington, a public/private partnership of the Leadership Center of Arlington and Arlington County, will host this annual event Jan. 18 at Washington-Liberty High School, although some projects will take place elsewhere. Register now for lots of family-friendly service activities, such as making no-sew blankets for children in affordable housing and crafting valentines for CRi, a nonprofit that provides resources to people with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Anyone 13 and older needs to create an account to register. // 1301 N. Stafford St., Arlington (Ballston)
RISE
On Jan. 18 at 7 p.m., catch this Collage Dance Collective performance inspired by MLK’s I’ve Been to the Mountaintop speech, which he delivered at the Mason Temple in Memphis on April 3, 1968, one day before his assassination. The ballet’s choreography chronicles what has happened in the decades since that powerful moment in history. Tickets to the show at the McLean Community Center’s Alden Theatre are $25, $20 for students and seniors, and $15 for center district residents. // 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Invasive Vegetation Removal Near National Landing
One of Arlington’s MLK Day of Service events involves helping the Friends of Mount Vernon Trail clean up the trail near National Landing on Jan. 18 from 10 a.m.-noon. Volunteers may use pruners, loppers, handsaws and trash bags to clear away unwanted vegetation. Enter the trail near Water Park and then walk about 0.4 miles to the meeting spot. See the map here. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Dreams, Faith, and Justice in Action
Produced by Encore Stage & Studio, this tribute to MLK at Wakefield High School on Jan. 19 from 5-6:30 p.m. will showcase local talent through dance, music and storytelling while also highlighting local organizations that continue the reverend’s peaceful crusade for social justice. Featured nonprofits include Challenging Racism, the Center for Youth & Family Advocacy and Arlington Food Assistance Center. The event is free to attend. // 1325 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Pay homage to MLK at the larger-than-life memorial to him in D.C. It’s free to visit and open 24 hours a day, every day, although note that commuting to the District on Jan. 20, which is also Inauguration Day, may come with extra traffic. // 1964 Independence Ave., S.W, Washington, D.C.
MLK Jr. Week of Service
Volunteer Fairfax is hosting opportunities to honor MLK through volunteerism. On Jan. 22, sign on for a webinar titled “Responding to Our Community’s Mental Health Challenges: A Role for Volunteering,” and on Jan. 25, join Give Together, an in-person day of service at the James Lee Community Center. Family-friendly service projects and financial literacy workshops for children in grades three to five and nine to 12 will be offered. // 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church