Next Month: Three Days of Martin Luther King Jr. Events in Reston

Reston Community Center is planning three days of special activities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day next month.

Reston’s 32nd annual celebration will include special speakers, performances and community service projects over three days from Jan. 14-16.

The three-day birthday celebration is a collaborative effort by many entities such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church of Reston, Reston Community Center, the office of Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, Reston Community Orchestra, Reston Association, Southgate Community Center, Cornerstones, and many other local business and civic organizations.

See a schedule of events below.

Saturday, Jan. 14: Day of Service, Performances

Service Projects: Reston Community Center is partnering with the Southgate Community Center, Reston Association, Cornerstones and The Closet for a day of community service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Both indoor and outdoor projects will take place beginning at 9 a.m. at Southgate Community Center (12125 Pinecrest Road). Indoor projects include bagging lunches for local shelters and sorting donated items for The Closet. Outdoor projects include cleaning up walkways and local green areas. Activities conclude around noon, and then free lunch will be served to all volunteers. Volunteers age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. To volunteer, contact Ha Brock at Reston Association at 703-435-7986 or [email protected].

Reston Community Orchestra Performance: The RCO presents its annual memorial tribute concert beginning at 4 p.m. at the Hunters Woods Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road). All ages are welcome. Admission is free, but donations to the orchestra are welcome.

‘The Pursuit of Harmony’ Performance: Jewish-American songwriter Michael Hunter Ochs and Muslim Palestinian peace activist and songwriter Alaa Alshaham invite all to an evening of music and conversation with the goal of peace. The evening begins at 8 p.m. at CenterStage at Hunters Woods Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets are $5 for Reston residents and employees and $10 for all others. The performance is sponsored in partnership with the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS).

Sunday, Jan. 15: ‘Voices of Inspiration’

Members of several local faith communities invite all to the 27th anniversary celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. beginning at 4 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation (1441 Wiehle Avenue). The free event is open to all ages, and is sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church of Reston.

Monday, Jan. 16: Seminars, Workshops, Youth Activities

Keynote Address: Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former Washington Post writer Eugene Robinson will speak his views on race relations in America, beginning at noon at Hunters Woods community center (2310 Colts Neck Road). Following the address, everyone is invited to the Community Lunch. Tickets are $5 for Reston residents and employees, and $10 for nonresidents.

‘Especially For Youth’ Activities: Children ages 6-12 are invited to participate in an afternoon of activities centered around the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, including a performance, an age-appropriate video and arts and crafts. The activities are free but registration through WebTrac is required. The session will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Hunters Woods community center (2310 Colts Neck Road).

Building Bridges Workshop: Dr. Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt will lead a workshop with the aim of exploring how people can relate to one another across all races and backgrounds. Ages 16 and up are welcome. The workshop is free but registration through WebTrac is required. The workshop will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Hunters Woods community center (2310 Colts Neck Road).

For more information on the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, visit Reston Community Center online.

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