Mon 1/15
School’s out for the MLK Day holiday, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on the fight for civil and human rights. But there’s plenty to do with the kids to keep them entertained and teach them something about that legacy as well, with most of the area museums, typically not open Mondays, offering special programming and access to their collections for free.
There’s a lot going on around University circle, with the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of National History, Western Reserve Historical Society and Severance Music Center all open. The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Open House & Day of Music will take place at Severance Hall from noon-5pm with performances by the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, Linking Legacies Chamber Ensemble, Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, Evelyn Wright & the Joe Hunter Trio, the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers, 10K Movement and more. It’s free; no tickets are required. Get more info here.
From 10am-4pm The Cleveland Museum of Art will have a variety of performances and interactive activities going on in its Ames Family Atrium, including a poetry wall, a family photo booth, a little library, a screenprint making opportunity, music by DJ Kristyles and a performance by the gospel group Humbly Submitted. There’ll also be gallery talks connecting artworks to the Civil Rights Movement.
The nearby Western Reserve Historical Society is also open from 10am-4pm and free to see all its exhibits including one about noted Black Cleveland architect Robert P. Madison and one about how women won the right to vote. And the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is offering a free All Day Discovery Day from 10am-4pm, with the chance to talk to its staff scientists, watch animal presentations and take part in hands-on activities.
The Akron Art Museum will also be open from 11am-5pm, with gallery talks and interactive activities in the lobby, as well as photos on display relating to Dr. King and the civil rights movement.
The Maltz Museum in Beachwood is also inviting people to explore its exhibits for free with hands-on activities happening as well, and an author talk with Shaker Heights-born author Wesley Lowery at1pm. Rad more here.