For
Immediate
Release
January 6, 2010
Contact: Megan Fischer
Marketing and Public Relations Manager
(401) 273-5437 ext. 126
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A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
at Providence Children’s Museum
Monday, January 18, 2010
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Providence Children’s Museum 
presents a celebration of the
life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 18,
featuring an exhibit, activities and a live performance with songs and
stories. Award-winning storytellers and actors Rochel Coleman and Valerie Tutson portray Civil Rights
activists Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks and more in their powerful
“M.L.K: Amazing Grace” at 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. The
performance is free with Museum admission of $7.50 per person.
Coleman and Tutson have performed “M.L.K.: Amazing Grace” at venues throughout the country. They emphasize that, despite its serious subject, not all is grave and solemn in “M.L.K.” The production contains a number of light moments of repartee and song – but the subject is serious, said Coleman. “In the case of the Civil Rights Movement, what has to be remembered is that everyone participated, black, white, brown, Asian and Native American. 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 11:00 AM to 3:00 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.