Events Around the Region Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

Many celebrations of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. will be held around the region today, the official holiday marking what would have been the civil rights leader’s 82nd birthday.

West Hartford Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.

The town’s 15th annual celebration of King’s life runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the . The keynote speaker is Dr. Salome Raheim, dean of the There will also be student speakers and music by the Jazz Combo, the Gospel Choir and the Sounds. Refreshments will be donated by the Elmwood Senior Center.

Admission is free. The town hall is at 50 South Main St., West Hartford.

Music and Inspiration at the University of Hartford

The will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a program of music and reflections in the Lincoln Theater. The event starts at 11 a.m. and will feature performances by students from the in West Hartford and the University of Hartford Magnet School, as well as faculty of the The Hartt School. Jennifer Smith Turner, chief executive officer of the Girls Scout of Connecticut, will be the keynote speaker.

Admission is free but guests are invited to bring donations of new men’s socks, gloves, hats, scarves, or travel-sized toiletries for the Church Street Eats program at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. The University of Hartford is at 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford.

New Documentary in Simsbury

The town where King once lived and worked in the tobacco fields will observe the
holiday with the showing of the documentary Martin Luther King in Connecticut, which was filmed by Simsbury High School students. The program, sponsored by the town and the Simsbury Free Library, will be held at 1 p.m. at Eno Memorial Hall. There will be readings and singing by the students of Simsbury High School. The public is invited.

Admission is free. Eno Memorial Hall in Simsbury is at 754 Hopmeadow St. Phone 860-830-4072 for more information.

Activities and Education in Farmington

The Stanley-Whitman House in Farmington will offer activities for elementary school children, including an opportunity to create a poster commemorating King’s life and contributions, along with videos about him. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Refreshments will be served.

Admission to the Stanley-Whitman House is $7 for adults and $4 for students up to the age of 18. Children under 6 are admitted free. The house is at 37 High St. in Farmington.

Day of African-American Dance in Hartford

Dancers from around Connecticut will gather at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts to participate in African American Dance: The Stage Meets the Street, a day of dance classes and demonstrations. The event, co-sponsored by the Connecticut Dance Alliance, is open to dancers of varying experience levels. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. and classes at 9 a.m.

Admission is $25 for alliance members and $35 for non-members; $10 for students of members and $15 for students of non-members. The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts is at 15 Vernon St., Hartford. Visit www.ctdanceall.com

Free Admission to the New Britain Museum of American Art

The New Britain Museum of American Art celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day as one of its community days, with free admission for all. The museum, ordinarily closed on Monday, will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The New Britain Museum of American Art is at 56 Lexington Street, New Britain.