Four things in Wilmington (in-person and virtual) to celebrate MLK Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is historically a time to reflect on the late Civil Rights leader and his thoughts and goals for a better world during a time when society was changing and colliding.

And as issues such as racial injustice and more recently a Capitol Hill riot remain at the forefront, the anniversary of King's birthday on Friday --  MLK Day, however, observed Monday -- perhaps holds more meaning than ever.

So while some annual MLK Day events, such as the downtown parade, are canceled this year due to COVID-19, others have emerged online while a few in-person gatherings are scheduled with protocols such as social distancing. 

Here are a few things that you can do to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

1. Cameron Art Museum

The Wilmington facility is presenting a community art project on Saturday and Sunday.

The "I Have a Dream" Peace Flag Project is focused on the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. In-person art-making will take place outside and socially distanced on the museum’s grounds Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday from 1-3 p.m.

Pre-registration in one-hour time slots is required. At-home Dream Flag kits are available for anyone who would like to make their flag at home, participation in the project is $5.

The flags created will be included in a community art installation that will be displayed around the CAM pond until the end of January.

For more information about this project, please email education@cameronartmuseum.org. Options are available for community groups, churches, and schools to participate.

2. Wilmington Jewish Film Festival

The festival is offering a film pop-up in honor of MLK Day.

The documentary is directed by Dani Menkin and can be viewed at 7 p.m. Saturday-Monday. Ticket price will be $10 per device and available at goelevent.com/WilmingtonJewishFilmFestival/e/Aulcie.

"Aulcie" is about a Black professional basketball player, Aulcie Perry, who was recruited to play for the Israel Maccabi basketball team. Perry led Maccabi Tel Aviv to an upset win in the European Championship in 1977 and again four years later. He converted to Judaism and became an Israeli citizen. Recounting both the highs and lows, this film tells the story of a remarkable athlete who captured the spirit of a nation, triumphant and victorious against all odds.

For more information, visit wilmingtonjff.org/aulcie.

3. Curbside Cinema Drive-In Movie: 'Selma'

Wilmington's Curbside Cinema series will continue showing films outdoors in the new year, and the first features Civil Rights in the 1960s South.

The first of six scheduled screenings in 2021 will be on Friday, Jan. 22 and feature "Selma," director Ava Duvernay's 2014 drama about the fight for voting rights in the 1960s South. All screenings take place on Friday nights in the parking lot of Kenan Auditorium on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and are preceded by short films curated by the Cucalorus Festival. Tickets are on sale now.

More:Wilmington drive-in announces movie lineup for Curbside Cinema 2021

Curbside Cinema is presented by the Cucalorus Festival and UNCW’s Office of the Arts. StarNews and public radio WHQR are media sponsors.

4. Cape Fear Sierra Club Program

Cape Fear Sierra Club presents an MLK Program: Environmental Justice in SENC Monday from 6:30-8 p.m. featuring a three-speaker panel on some of the most pressing issues impacting our region, including industrial animal farming (CAFOs) and the wood pellet industry.

Speakers for the virtual event are Devon Hall, Executive Director of Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help (REACH); Belinda Joyner, Environmental Justice Advocate and Organizer with Clean Air Carolina; and Naeema Muhammad, Organizing Co-Director for North Carolina Environmental Justice Network.

The panel is moderated by Ashley Daniels, New Hanover County resident and environmental justice advocate. Admission is free with the zoom link:   

To attend this important program, just use the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85640359547?pwd=emZuZExhV2VaZnJsL01ZWXRJQlJjQT09 

If you are hosting an event and want it on this list, email Ken.Blevins@StarNewsOnline.com.