January 13, 2022 - MLK Day Events + 100 biggest festivals in 2022

Hello Sunday.

January 23 2022

Understanding MLK’s impact in the Triangle

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday — we’re remembering his presence in the City of Oaks and what you can do to honor his life + legacy.

Raleigh’s life-size Dr. King MLK Jr. statue | Photo by The Triangle Martin Luther King Jr. Committee

How is Dr. King connected to NC + the Triangle?

King’s first visit to Raleigh was in April 1960 to support the Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee at Shaw University.
The NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources found evidence that Dr. King delivered an early version of the famous “I Have A Dream” speech at a school gymnasium in Rocky Mount (~55 mins from Raleigh) on Nov. 27, 1962.
King spoke to an integrated audience of ~5,000 at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh on July 31, 1966. Read about his visit here.

Does Raleigh have a dedication to Dr. King?

Yes — Raleigh is home to the first public park in the US solely devoted to Dr. King and the civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens is located at 1215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Did you know? The park houses a life-size sculpture of Dr. King + more civil rights public art.

What can I do to celebrate on Monday?

MLK Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast | Mon., Jan 17 | 7-9 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Join keynote speaker Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie to celebrate MLK Jr. + the civil rights movement in Raleigh.
MLK Memorial March | Mon., Jan. 17 | 11 a.m. | State Capitol Building, Edenton Street Side | Free | Masks are recommended by event organizers
MLK Jr. Noon Observance | Mon., Jan 17 | 12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune in to the MLK Committee’s YouTube page for the “Beloved Community Here and Now” panel discussion.
Evening Musical Celebration | Mon., Jan. 17 | 5:30 p.m. | Virtual | Listen to John Clark, Melissa Wade, and Jerry Smith close out the day with a celebration of MLK through music.
King Day: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday | Mon., Jan 17 | 12-3 p.m. | John Chavis Memorial Park | Celebrate MLK with arts and crafts for children, an outdoor civil rights scavenger hunt + local food trucks.
United Way of Greater Triangle Day of Service | Mon., Jan 17 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Diaper Bank of NC, 1311 E. Club Blvd, Durham | Stop by throughout the day to donate essential goods to the Diaper Bank of NC, Equity Before Birth, and MAAME.

MORE MLK EVENTS

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EVENTS

Today

ZOSO, The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 8 p.m. | Lincoln Theatre | $14.50+ | Rock on with ZOSO, the popular Led Zeppelin cover band. 🎸
Raleigh Veterans Job Fair | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 4600 Trinity Rd. | Free | Network at this job fair held specifically for veterans, their spouses, active-duty military personnel + members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Richard II | Thurs., Jan. 13-Sat., Jan. 29 | 7 p.m. | William Peace University | $10+ | See Shakespeare’s Richard II performed live.

Friday

Beethoven Triple Concerto | Fri., Jan. 14 | 12 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | $37+ | Enjoy works from Beethoven’s Triple Concerto including selections from Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, performed by the NC Symphony. 🎶

Saturday

Linda Gorham Presents “African American Heroes and Sheroes” | Sat., Jan. 15 | 11 a.m. | Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary | $8 | Learn about famous African American figures who have made a positive impact on our country + about our nation’s history to help preserve the past.
Renew in the New Year | Sat., Jan. 15 | 11-12 p.m. | Village Regional Library, 1930 Clark Ave. | Free | Tidy up with Debra Perdomo and learn about decluttering your home with a Marie Kondo certified professional. 🏡

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

SHOP

Meet your “I got 9 hours of sleep last night” secret

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ADD TO CART

NEWS NOTES

Weather

54º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain ☁️
Weather on Sunday will be a mess, according to WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth. “All we know now is that it’s a moisture-rich system. We are concerned about the low temperature Sunday night into Monday. It’s likely to drop into the 20s, meaning icy roads.” ❄️

Civic

Raleigh is looking for citizens to submit plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to become part of an online gallery of designs. Homeowners will be able to purchase these plans from the designer to “fast-track” the building process. Learn more here. 🏘️

Number

Citrix Cycle announced its 2021 biking statistics and wow, we’re impressed. Riders burned approximately 12,020,254 calories, reduced 60.99 tons of carbon dioxide emissions + racked up a combined distance of 136,951 miles. 🚲

DYK

In the state budget passed last year, $28 million was dedicated to esports ventures, including $10 million for grants to help bring esports events to NC, like the Halo Championship Series event recently held at the Raleigh Convention Center with a $350,000 prize pool. Read more about how the state is trying to create a name for itself in the realm of esports here. 🎮

Biz

The perfect blend of coffee + people — 321 Coffee is expanding downtown, opening at 615 Hillsborough St. near Char-grill. The coffee shop and roastery employs 30+ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on inclusion. (The News & Observer) ☕
Out with traditional staffing methods and in with Gignpro, a new-age restaurant staffing app. The Charleston-based company is active in 12 markets across the South, now including Raleigh. Gignpro celebrated its Raleigh launch yesterday at Raleigh Brewing Company. 📱

Plan Ahead

On Wed., Jan. 26, Raleigh Founded will host a free coworking day at its Gateway location, 2409 Crabtree Blvd., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wyrick Robbins — a full-service law firm that offers legal services to businesses — will be present offering free office hours from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 💼
Durham Creek Week is coming back this spring. Visit creeks and celebrate the natural environment around Durham from March 12-19. The schedule for virtual + in-person events is coming soon.

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Celebrate Dress Up Your Pet Day

📸 @savinggracenc

Brody Reporting for Star Command — Saving Grace is announcing the winner of the 2021 Halloween costume contest tomorrow, Jan. 14 in celebration of National Dress Up Your Pet Day.

Saving Grace rescues animals from rural animal control facilities, often rescuing animals from areas with extremely limited resources. Saving Grace has so many adoptable dogs + some cats that are ready for a little extra TLC. If you are considering hosting, adopting, volunteering, or giving — learn more here. 🐶

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THE WRAP

Editor’s Pick: Did you see that VisitRaleigh shared a list of the 100 biggest festivals + events happening in 2022? I was thrilled to see that the Dreamville Festival will be happening in April this year. What about you?

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about local places to try amazing mocktails for Dry January.