KNOXVILLE - The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission announces line-up of events for the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Celebration. New special programs combine with traditional events to make a very special celebration.

 The MLK Celebration programs are designed to increase awareness of Dr. King’s work and to bring all races in our community into closer harmony. For 2010, all celebration events relate to the theme of “Realizing His Dream Through Service:  It Is Up To Us” and there are several new programs that underline that theme. 

School-age young people are invited to participate in the all-new Youth Symposium to be held at the Children’s Defense Fund Haley Farm January 16. The morning sessions will focus on strengthening the community by helping our youth to be leaders for equity in the future.  The half-day teacher in-service credit program provides special professional development sessions for local school teachers aimed at promoting the principles and goals of the Knox County School Strategic Plan.  

The traditional “Night with the Arts” on January 17^th will feature original productions written exclusively for the MLK commemorative events. Beginning at 6:00PM, this very special production will be at the Colston Performing Arts Center on the campus of Knoxville College and is open to the public without charge.  

Also new this year will be a month-long exhibit of MLK-related works of art on display at the Bijou Theatre Gallery.  The gala opening of this meaningful exhibit will be from 5:00PM – 7:00PM on  January 8^th as part of the First Friday events. 

The MLK website at www.mlkknoxville.org has been expanded and revised so that all details of the 2010 celebration can be conveniently accessed. 

The kick-off event for the MLK Celebration will be the Interfaith Prayer Service at Mount Calvary Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 13^th at noon. Religious leaders from many different faiths will join in this very special worship service.   

The Leadership Symposium is scheduled for the morning of January 14 followed by the annual Leadership/Awards Luncheon at noon.  The special guest speaker at this year’s luncheon is Dr. John Maguire, President Emeritus of Claremont Graduate University and life director of the King Center.  (Ticket information for the luncheon can be found at www.mlkKnoxville.org.) 

The community really comes together on the MLK holiday, January 18.   The annual MLK Parade is one of the most exciting events of the celebration with hundreds of participants and – this year, former Mayor and former Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe will be the Grand Marshal. 

The parade will end at the Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church for the annual Memorial Tribute Service with Rev. Raphael Gamaliel Warnock as the keynote speaker.  Dr. Warnock is currently the Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, spiritual home of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Other related events include a community discussion by the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance on January 15^th at 7:00PM and the YWCA Race Against Racism during the afternoon of January 16^th.  

The closing tribute to Dr. King and his work will be the Holiday Celebration Concert on January 18th at 6:00PM in the Knoxville Civic Auditorium featuring the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the MLK Holiday Celebration Choir, and a variety of special guest performers.   

With the exception of the luncheon on January 14, all MLK Celebration events are open to the public without charge. 

“The MLK season is an opportune time for all to reflect upon the ideals of the Dream and the Dreamer,” stated MLK Chair Renee Kesler. “Together, may we all seek to realize his dream Through service as it is up to us.” 

For additional information, go to the website www.mlkknoxville.org or contact Michael Combs, mcombs@utk.edu.  
 
  
 
Digest of  MLK Celebration Events for 2010