FRIDAY 1/13

More Music Less Violence
Holiday Inn
232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
5:30 p.m.

DJ Hollyw8d brings his energetic show of regional performers for the 8th Annual Dr. King Challenge. Opening with Joseph Bruchac, Saratoga Springs’ first poet laureate. Reception with light fare & cash bar, fun art projects, photo booth. Family friendly. No registration necessary. Suggested donation: $10 or pay what you can.

Performers include: Quady Rouse, Kourtnee Simmons, Valora, Ricky Bandana, Gian Life, and Doc Horton & The Jay St. Band.

SATURDAY 1/14

“How the Negro Got His Song”
Saratoga Springs Public Library
10:30 a.m.

A Saturday morning performance and interactive storytelling workshop with Jae Gayle that begins with the African-American folktale about John the Conqueror. Family friendly.
FREE. No registration necessary.

Jae Gayle is a performing arts-based teaching artist. A former South Bronx high school history teacher dedicated to creating platforms for young people, women, and artists of color to express, explore, and empower. Her current creative, professional, and academic pursuits investigate the legacy of American Slavery on parenting in the Black community; inspired by her exploration into mindful parenting as the mother of three beautiful souls. She is a board member of Creative Action Unlimited and engaged with the CAU's Social Justice Artist Collective. You can follow her work at metacocomom.com.

SATURDAY 1/14

Restorative Justice in Schools: Promoting and Protecting Dignity and Justice for Everyone
Saratoga Springs Public Library
12:30 p.m.

Restorative Justice (RJ) practices have roots in indigenous teachings where accountability and the repair of relationships were central to conflict resolution. Restorative practices in schools have emerged as an alternative to punitive zero-tolerance policies and a way to build a caring and supportive community. Building and maintaining relationships is central to restorative practices through creating a safe and supportive context to address conflict, problem solve, and to repair harm. This presentation and panel discussion will involve students and educators from the South Glens Falls Central School District (SGFCSD) who will share the positive impact restorative practices have on students, staff, and their school community. Moderated by Saratoga Educational Equity Network. FREE. Register here.

SATURDAY 1/14

Erasing Spaces and Faces:
The Legacy of Urban Renewal
in Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs Public Library
3:00 p.m.

A social practice, public history and art project (by C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Art Studios) with a focus on the experience of those displaced during urban renewal projects in the city of Saratoga Springs. Join us for the unveiling of the multi-media exhibition, presentation and panel discussion with historians, artists and community members David Hochfelder, Meghan Willis, Maelcolm Thayer, Marcus Kwame Anderson, Jen Wojtowicz, Dio Kauffman and Joy King. FREE. No registration necessary.

SATURDAY 1/14

In partnership with Yaddo, SPAC and Skidmore College, and presented by Julie and Sonny Bonacio:

Greatest Love of All: The Roots & Revolution of Black Women in Pop
A conversation with Danyel Smith, Dr. Emmanuel Balogun & Dr. Tammy Owens. Special performance by D. Colin.
The Pines @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
108 Avenue of the Pines (Park at Hall of Springs)
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
FREE. Click here to reserve your seat(s).

Danyel Smith is an author, award-winning journalist, and producer. She’s the creator and host of the Spotify-exclusive Black Girl Songbook, a music and talk show that centers on Black women in music. A 2021 Yaddo fellow, Danyel was a senior producer and editor at ESPN, and a John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford, where she cofounded HRDCVR, an innovative hardcover culture magazine. In addition to writing for NPR, The California Sunday Magazine, The New Yorker, Teen Vogue, and The New York Times, Danyel has served as editor of Billboard, editor at large for Time Inc., and editor in chief of Vibe. She is the author of two novels—More Like Wrestling and Bliss as well as her most recent book, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop.

Emmanuel Balogun, PhD is a Professor of Political Science at Skidmore College and an affiliate of the Black Studies program. His research focuses on African politics, especially how African countries engage with multilateralism to position themselves in international policy and trade. Dr. Balogun’s 2022 book, Region-Building in West Africa: Convergence and Agency in ECOWAS, shows how regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) influence regional governance. By collaborating with bureaucrats and other regions, practitioners are able to harmonize regional policy while deepening relationships with civilians. His current research project focuses on Africa’s agency in global governance.

As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Balogun brings his research interests to the policy world. He is an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations as a policy advisor with the Department of State on US-African relations. Additionally, he is the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion fellow for Bridging the Gap, which helps researchers produce policy-relevant work. Dr. Balogun received the 2021 Skidmore College President’s Award for Excellence.

Dr. Tammy C. Owens is a Professor of American Studies at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her scholarship has been published in journals such as History of Childhood and Youth, Departures in Critical Qualitative Research, and Girlhood Studies. Her current research examines the intersections of race and American childhood. She is also a social worker who speaks publicly and publishes writing related to her other research interests which include Black feminism, motherhood, Black women’s work lives, and relationships.

D. Colin is a multidisciplinary artist of Haitian descent. Her work has appeared in Trolley, Ink & Nebula, Jaded Ibis Press and Porter Gulch Review. She is the author of Dreaming in Kreyol and Said the Swing to the Hoop. She has been featured on PBS, Write About Now, NPR and has performed throughout the United States and internationally.

Beyond poetry, D. Colin has navigated the stage as an actor performing in productions with Black Theater Troupe of Upstate NY and Creative Action Unlimited. Her one woman show Simone appeared at Capital Rep Theater and she has spent years performing reenactments most often as Sojourner Truth. As an emerging artist, she has shown art at the Underground Railroad Education Center, Albany Center Gallery and the Arts Center of the Capital Region.

Although she grew up in Connecticut, she has called New York’s capital region home since 2007. With an educational background in English and Africana Studies, her work, no matter the medium, discusses the human condition, aims to create visibility and uses history and activism as its foundation. She is the 2022 Excellence in Arts & Letters Award recipient for UAlbany’s Alumni Association.

She is also a Cave Canem, VONA and New York State Writers Institute fellow.  She currently sits on the board for The Sanctuary for Independent Media, Black Dimensions in Art and is a founding member of the Social Justice Artist Collective.  She believes in Nina Simone’s words that “an artist’s duty is to reflect the times” and often says, “if the art didn’t move you, then I didn’t do my job.”

FREE. Click here to reserve your seat(s).

SUNDAY 1/15

Afternoon Kids’ Show: Little Folks MLK Celebration with Nikara Warren Trio
Caffè Lena
47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs
3:00 p.m.

This afternoon program is specifically for kids and families, introducing children to jazz as part of the story of America. Born and bred in the eclectic and electric enclave of Brooklyn, Nikara’s family, friends, band, and musical pedigree represent some of the best jazz has to offer. Her grandfather is world-renowned pianist Kenny Barron. She first heard vibraphone at the legendary Village Vanguard in her grandpa’s jazz ensemble. It became her calling in life. As a teacher, musician and composer, Nikara will spark the imagination of kids both young and old. FREE. Click here to reserve your spot(s).

SUNDAY 1/15

An Evening with Nikara Warren Trio
Caffè Lena
47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs
6:30 p.m.

Sunday evening’s performance will begin with an interview with Nikara before the ensemble brings her infectious compositional sense, post-modern patchwork of influences and cultural signposts, and her fearless musicality to the stage.Vibraphonist, composer, arranger, and educator Nikara Warren is reimagining vibes. Her bold quest comes from being well-versed in the vibraphone lineage, but seeking to adventure beyond it. FREE. Click here to reserve your spot(s).

MONDAY 1/16

Day of Service
Various locations
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Dr. King Celebration Weekend Day of Service is
part of a national tradition to honor Dr. King.
There will be several in-person family friendly
volunteer projects and actions in collaboration with a
variety of community organizations.

Please note locations.

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AT THE SARATOGA SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY 49 Henry Street

C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios: make kindness hearts and kindness rocks to spread love and kindness.

MoonCatcher Project: make and assemble sustainable menstrual pad kits (part of a global project).

Neighbors Taking Pride in Helping Neighbors: Saratoga Pride will be in the foyer collecting food cards and cash donations to support Free Fridge and other organizations helping those who need food.

Saratoga Central Catholic School: make a cozy blanket that will be donated to a local pet shelter. Bring a donation of pet food or a gift card to Benson’s or PetSmart to help feed local pets in need.

Thinkpeace “Welcoming Refugees Project” Participants will channel their creativity to welcome people displaced by war and other crises by creating postcards that will be sent to young refugees around the world. Together, we will discuss how we are all connected.

Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs: make cards and write notes to community members who could use a little love; students will be in the children’s room reading stories about Dr. King and social justice.

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AT SARATOGA SPRINGS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 175 Fifth Avenue

Youth2: Youth Helping Youth - Make Peace Flags
Create a flag that represents something that you value. Whether you march with it in a rally or hang it in a window or on a wall, you can celebrate and educate with a positive symbol or word. Come join in the conversation about what really matters, and how we can use our Art as resistance to injustice using positive words and actions. Participants may bring personal pictures or materials to incorporate in their design. Family friendly. Bring a smock or big shirt to protect your clothing if you can.

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AT PITNEY MEADOWS COMMUNITY FARM 223 West Avenue 

Join us on the farm from 9:30 to 12:00 pm to help with winter maintenance and repair. We’ll be in the Children’s Greenhouse, adjacent to the Community Gardens. 

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AT THE FREDERICK ALLEN LODGE 69 Beekman Street

Neighbors taking Pride in helping neighbors: Saratoga Pride will be on site at the Lodge to collect donated grocery cards or cash to support the Community Free Fridge and other programs supporting people who need food; And they will collect books* for the Little Free Library at the Frederick Allen Lodge, a historical Black landmark in our city. *Books, cookbooks, CDs, DVDs - for adults and children - that feature and promote Black experience, history, and culture.

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AT TEMPLE SINAI 509 Broadway

"TAKE NOTE!" A Children's Book & Musical Instrument Drive (9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
Temple Sinai is hosting a children's book and musical instrument drive benefiting two organizations. Instruments will go to Vanguard, the volunteer support group for the Albany Symphony, and their Instruments for Students program. They collect gently-used band/orchestra instruments for area schools, so all children can have access to music programs, regardless of their ability to afford rental fees. Books will go to Stories for Success, an organization created and run by Saratoga High School students to help new parents and babies through the power of reading, through providing the family of every baby born at Saratoga Hospital with a "book bag" and literacy materials. Books will also go to SEEN (Saratoga Educational Equity Network) for their three Little Libraries in Saratoga that need to stay filled!

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AT THE PRESBYTERIAN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 24 Circular Street
Welcoming Immigrants The Nolan House (older building on property) currently houses refugees from Ukraine and Nigeria. Work is being done now to accommodate more families. You can help by painting, cleaning and other small jobs. 4-5 people needed. 10am-noon.

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MONDAY 1/16

Community Celebration:
Songs are the Soul of a Movement
Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church
175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs
2:00-4:00

We will close the Dr. King Celebration Weekend by honoring Dr. King with music and community, with a little history and activism sprinkled in. Hosted by our friend: Soulist Garland Nelson.

Our program will begin with Freedom’s Highways - an interactive performance about artists, civil rights and protest songs. Donald Hyman will cover artists such as The Staple Singers, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Aretha Franklin and demonstrate how they used their platform to shed more light on the civil rights movement alongside Dr. King. We will then be joined by Jermaine Wells and the ILL Funk Ensemble who will perform historical civil rights and contemporary protest songs, providing some history and some energizing inspiration.

We'll hear from some local community activists and our city’s first poet laureate, Joseph Bruchac.

There will be refreshments and fellowship, too. FREE. No reservation necessary.