For
Immediate
Release
January 5, 2012
Contact: Megan Fischer
Director of Communications
(401) 273-5437 ext. 126
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A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
at Providence Children’s Museum
Monday, January 16, 2012
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Providence
Children’s Museum presents a powerful celebration of the life and work
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 16. The
celebration features an exhibit, activities and a live performance with
songs and stories and is free with Museum admission of $8.50 per person.
Award-winning storytellers and actors Rochel Coleman and Valerie Tutson
portray Civil Rights activists Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks and more in
their moving “M.L.K: Amazing Grace” at 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:30
PM. Coleman and Tutson have performed the show at venues
throughout the country. They emphasize that, despite its serious
subject, “M.L.K.” is not all grave and solemn; the production includes
a number of light moments of repartee and song with its important
message.
“In the case of the Civil Rights Movement, what has to be remembered is
that everyone participated, black, white, brown, Asian and Native
American,” said Coleman. “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 12:00 to 4:00 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.