A schedule of Martin Luther King Day celebrations in the region, plus other weekend events

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

▪ 2023 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: Artistic Expression Uplifting the Movement — 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis. Inspired by depictions of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Moneta Sleet Jr., local Black performing artists, Aloha Misho, Alicia Sunshine, and Cameron Jamarr, will respond to Sleet’s photographs through their original performances. Following the performances, there will be a talk by Tabari Coleman, a community engagement moderator whose focus is on creating space for constructive dialogue across the St. Louis region. The program will conclude with a call to action from Marcus A. Creighton, on behalf of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter. Event is free; advance tickets are recommended. slam.org

▪ MLK Community Celebration 2023 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14; 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis. Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the holiday weekend with a variety of experiences at Missouri History Museum. Families are invited to join us on Saturday and Monday for youth activism workshops, meaningful conversations on race and social justice, storytelling, movement, craft workshops, and day of service opportunities. On Sunday afternoon all are invited to a keynote address, a brief musical performance, and an all-levels yoga class set to live gospel music. mohistory.org/mlk-celebration

▪ MLK Annual Community Breakfast — 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. New Life In Christ Church, 689 Scott Troy Road, Lebanon. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. O’Fallon Metro east NAACP presents the annual breakfast. Keynote Speaker: Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley on “Executing the Dream.” General Admission: $20. For tickets: aftontickets.com/ofallonnaacpmlkbreakfast.

▪ 37th annual MLK Day Celebration — 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Mt. Joy Church, 327 Olive St., Edwardsville. From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Accepting Responsibility For Your Actions” Radio Sermon - We will have amazing speakers, poets and musicals lead us in the steps of taking accountability for the consequences of our actions. Both the good and bad. facebook.com/events/3295947494028636

▪ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program Observance Celebration: ‘Together We Can Be the Dream’ — Noon Monday, Jan. 16. St. Paul Baptist Church, 1500 Bond Ave., East St. Louis. Seating on a first come, first serve basis. Masks required. Free and open to the public.

▪ The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Stéphane Denève, and St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus Director Kevin McBeth invite the St. Louis community to join the SLSO for a concert honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on the federal holiday this month. This one-hour concert is free. Ticket reservations are required. The concert will be broadcast live on KWMU 90.7 St. Louis Public Radio. 314-534-1700 or slso.org.

▪ MLK Bookend Event: Jessica Nordell, ‘The End of Bias: A Beginning: The Science and Practice of Overcoming Unconscious Bias’ — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17. SFC Performing Arts Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis. The End of Bias is a transformative, groundbreaking exploration into how we can eradicate unintentional bias and discrimination, the great challenge of our age. Jessica Nordell digs deep into the cognitive science, social psychology, and developmental research that underpin current efforts to eradicate unintentional bias and discrimination. Admission is free, but a ticket is required. facebook.com/events/823984012012569

Events

▪ Cozy Cider Cabin Pop-Up Events — 4:30-9 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays from Jan. 12 to Feb. 19. Eckert’s Belleville Farm, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville. Transport yourself to a cabin on a mountain-side close to home at Eckert’s Farm. The Cider Shed was transformed to mimic a cozy cabin nestled in the woods. Snuggle up with a loved one by the fireplace, enjoy deer, elk and moose adorning our walls, and bear skin rug nestled on our floor. Wear your favorite flannel and be amazed at the transformation of the space – you’ll forget you’re on a farm. Cost: $5 per person. Reservations encouraged; walk-ins welcome. eckerts.com

▪ Dance, feat. The Waterloo German Band — 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Highland Knights of Columbus, 12454 Illinois 143, Highland. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Admission: $10 per person. Cash bar. Kitchen open. Sponsored by the Highland Knights of Columbus.

▪ Christmas Tree Recycling — Through Sunday, Jan. 29. Plant Land, Old Route 50, east of Breese; Allen Branch Boat Ramp, Carlyle; Little Prairie Nature Trail parking lot in the West Spillway at Carlyle Lake. All decorations, including garland and tinsel, must be removed. No artificial trees or wreaths. The trees are used to provide effective and economical fish habitat at Carlyle Lake. 618-594-2484 or carlylelake@usace.army.mil.

Games

▪ Euchre — 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6 p.m. Partner night. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Sunday Night Bingo — 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Early Bird at 6:15 p.m. Cards sold at 5 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a canned good for one free card.

▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.

▪ Troy Senior Center Pokeno — Noon Wednesday, Jan. 18. Tri-Township Park, Wiesemeyer Building, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. A light lunch will be served. Cash prizes. No cost to play, no RSVP required. 618-667-2022.

▪ Smithton Athletic Association Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Turner Hall, 115 N. Julia St., Smithton. Silent auction begins at 6 p.m. Cash bar, BYO snacks. Cost: $120 per table of eight. For reservations, call/text 618-550-0855 or email kfreimuth@belleville118.org.

▪ St. Stephen Catholic Church Men’s Club Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Voigt Hall, 901 S. Main St., Caseyville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cash prizes for winning teams. Prizes to be awarded by “flights.” Includes 50/50 drawings, mulligans. Free soft drinks and snacks. Draft beer available for purchase. May BYO snacks and soft drinks. Cost: $15 per person. Up to eight players per table. For reservations, call or text 618-604-0600 or email stygar7@yahoo.com.

▪ Friends of the Belleville Public Library Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. Althoff High School Heritage Hall, 5401 W. Main St., Belleville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Great trivia questions – read by MC Roger Schlueter – cash prizes, mulligans and more. BYO snacks. Soda available for purchase; no alcohol will be sold. Cost: $12 per person with 6-8 players per table. For reservations: friendsofthebellevillelibrary@gmail.com (confirmation by return email).

Theater/Concerts

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G — 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Guest conductor Cristian Măcelaru returns to Powell Hall to lead the SLSO in a lighthearted and dreamy program. The concerts open with the SLSO’s first performance of music from Camille Saint-Saëns’ La foi, a five-act drama set in Egypt during the Middle Kingdom. Then, multi-prize-winning pianist Alice Sara Ott makes her SLSO debut with the performance of Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G. The concert concludes with Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1, written when the skilled composer and pianist was only 18 years old. Shostakovich’s schoolboy sense of humor and intense expression caused the composition to become widely known and performed. slso.org

▪ The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Pulitzer Concert — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. See into the future as four of America’s most talented young composers open our ears to a joyful array of sounds. Christian Quiñones digs into a bag of influences: Puerto Rican children’s games, body percussion, surrealism and reggaetón. Nicky Sohn explores the varied meanings “burning,” from the temporary sizzle of hot sauce to the searing sensation of heartache. Aiyana Braun pushes a solo violin to its virtuoso limit, finding drama and song along the way. Craziest of all, Peter Shin messes with the joyful, campy sounds of K-Pop vocals, then challenges SLSO percussionists to mimic and extend them. 314-534-1700 or slso.org.

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ Grief Share Seminar/Group — 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through April 4. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, lower level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Weekly seminar and support group for those grieving the death of a loved one. Featuring practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others who experienced the death of a loved one. There will be 13 sessions that can be started any session. Fee: $20 for the workbook. For info or to register: 618-344-3151 or bklee54@yahoo.com.

▪ Belleville ‘Sounds of Harmony’ Barbershop Chorus — 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Men of all ages who like to sing are encouraged to attend. For info: Bob at 618-566-8674 or email RLCearnal@gmail.com.

▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Online via Zoom. The PAL group provides education, support and hope to family members and loved ones of someone who has an addiction of substance use disorder. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. palgroup.org

▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org

Food

▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239

▪ Swansea Fish Stand – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Saturday: fried chicken. Open for carryout, call-in and dine-in orders. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/swanseafishstand

▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com

▪ Okawville American Legion Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Dine in or carryout. Also serving lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday with a salad bar. Pizza made fresh and served every day. facebook.com/OkawvilleLegion

▪ Germantown Fire Department Annual Breakfast — 8-11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Germantown American Legion, 1105 Sycamore St., Germantown. Serving pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, cornbread, potatoes, juice, milk and coffee. Dine in, drive-thru and carryout available. Proceeds to benefit Germantown Fire Department Cadets and The Backstoppers.

Reservations Required

▪ ‘Cracking the Code: The Book of Revelation’ — 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28 and Feb. 4. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Visitors Center, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville. Revelation is perhaps the most misunderstood book in the entire Bible. The “fulfillment” of things “prophesied” in Revelation has been claimed for centuries. The strange imagery found in Revelation makes it all the more mysterious. In this four-part series we will ‘crack the code’ of the Book of Revelation by examining who wrote it, for whom it was written, why it was written – and the meanings of those weird images. Presented by Mark Etline, Ph.D. Fee: $40 for the series or $10 per individual session. Pre-registration is required. 618-394-6281 or snows.org/ministries/spiritual-programs.

▪ Beginning Knitting Group — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 14 and 28. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Experience how easy it can be learning to knit through our structured, interactive, social knitting group. Perfect for true beginners or those looking for an easy refresh project. Different intermediate skills will be introduced on a project by project basis. Set up as a multi-day class, with “homework” in between. Registration required. glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Art with Greta — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Each month different mediums will be explored – may include acrylics, watercolors, pastels, mixed media and more. Registration required. glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. Online via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires registration. Instructed by Anne Hughes. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Space is limited. Registration required. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ ‘Fully Human’ Video Series — 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Visitors Center, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville. Explore how our encounter with God profoundly shapes our understanding of what it means to be human. We will examine the multi-faceted Christian perspective on humanity’s place in the evolving universe. Based on the book, “Fully Human: Understanding Christian Anthropology,” by Sr. Sara Fairbanks, OP, Ph.D. Hosted by Fr. Mark Dean, OMI of King’s House Retreat & Renewal Center. We will also study our origin, purpose, goal and future destiny. Information and registration at https://snows.org/ministries/spiritual-programs/ or call the Shrine at 618-394-6281.

CEO Glow Night — 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Big Daddy’s 618, 313 E. Main St., Belleville. At Belleville CEO’s first ever glow night, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a full night of socialization, delicious food – provided by Bennie’s Pizza, Copper Fire and Nothing Bundt Cakes – and live music by Lil Sister. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.

This story was originally published January 11, 2023 at 7:00 AM.