Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Chicago

On Monday, January 19, 2009, the nation will celebrate the legacy and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the great civil rights leader.

But, no doubt, many eyes will be focused on the following day, when the legacy of King's dream yields the momentous swearing in of the first African-American President of the United States, Barack Obama.

In fact, President-Elect Obama wants to transform the MLK holiday into a national day of community service called "Renew America Together." The Obamas and the Bidens encourage you to spend the day giving back to the nation. They intend to volunteer, too. Learn more through their Renew America Together website.

Expect some MLK celebrations to begin and end a little early this year so that Chicagoans can celebrate both great men.

MLK CELEBRATIONS

Rockefeller Chapel Memorial Celebration

• When: January 15, 2009 at Noon
• Where: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
  5850 S. Woodlawn, Chicago, IL
• Free and Open to the Public
• Contact: morse@uchicago.edu

Chicago Park District Celebrates MLK
A few celebrations and special events around the city this year.

• When: Monday, January 19, 2009
• Where: Various Chicago Park District locations, TBD.

DuSable Museum of African American History

• When: Sunday, January 18 through Tuesday, January 20, 2009
• Where: DuSable Museum, 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL
• Three days of events celebrating the legacy of Dr. King culminates with a simulcast of Barack Obama's Inauguration followed by a luncheon.

Vigil at the Federal Building - Monday, January 19
Kluczynski Federal Building
230 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60604
3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
(Next to the corner of the Jackson and Dearborn CTA Blue Line Exit)

Chicago History Museum
Dramatic Readings and Musical Performances Commemorating Dr. King's Life

• When: Monday, January 19, 2009
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
• Admission is free that day. No reservations needed.

MLK CONCERTS

Chicago Sinfonietta's Annual Tribute to MLK
The Dream Lives On!
When: Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 3 p.m.
Where: Lund Auditorium at Dominican University
7900 W. Division, River Forest, IL
How Much: $10 - $40

When: Monday, January 19, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Chicago's Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center
220 S. Michigan Avenue
How Much: $10 - $96

Tickets and More Info:(312)236-3681, x2 or via their web site.