As an important center of African-American history and the present-day home of an array of diverse residents and travelers alike, New York City is the perfect place to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
In addition to the events and celebrations detailed below, the city offers plenty of engaging and inspiring activities to explore during the three-day weekend. Central Park is beautiful in the winter, providing a quiet respite to balance the shopping, dining and shows of Midtown Manhattan. If you do want to find excitement and elegance, it’s never far at The Palace, home to the acclaimed restaurant Villard Michel Richard and Trouble’s Trust, Manhattan’s best new cocktail bar.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2014 Events in NYC
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Tour in Historic Harlem
Home of the famous Harlem Renaissance and well-known cultural attractions like the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Striver’s Row, and the Apollo Theater, Harlem is to this day an important hub of African-American business, art and culture. This two-hour tour, operated by Big Onion Walking Tours, meets at 135th Street and Lenox Avenue (just a short subway ride away from The Palace) and costs just $20. The tour will traverse the historic blocks of Central Harlem, passing by sites frequented by W.E.B DuBois, Malcolm X, and other luminaries of African-American history.
Learn more at www.bigonion.com.
Harlem Gospel Choir Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Matinee Show
One of the country’s most prominent and acclaimed choirs delivers a special matinee performance to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The 65-member choir will perform at noon at the BB King Blues Club, in the heart of Times Square. The Harlem Gospel Choir’s shows are known for their enthusiasm and unfettered joy – the perfect way to celebrate the birthday of one of the world’s most influential and inspiring figures.
Find out more at www.harlemgospelchoir.com.
Radical Presence: Black Performance in Contemporary Art at The Studio Museum
Offering a unique glimpse of the emergence and development of black performance art in the decades since Martin Luther King, Jr. worked for integration and equality, this exhibit features more than 100 works by 36 artists. Video, performance-based photography, interactive works, and performance installations are on display this winter at the Studio Museum in Harlem.