MLK Day

America’s first black president gets sworn in on Tuesday. Today, celebrate the black leader whose civil rights crusade helped make that possible. Events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day are happening throughout the city. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rockhurst University (54th Street and Troost), the Harmony’s Youth Day Celebration promotes interactive learning for kids. Admission is free. For the Kansas City, Kansas, Martin Luther King Celebration, a “Motorcade for Hunger” will roll into Jack Reardon Civic Center (500 Minnesota Avenue) at 11 a.m. for a speech by Pastor C.L. Bachus and scholarship presentation to high-school students. At the Kansas City Art Institute, festivities from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. include a short documentary about the civil rights movement shown in Epperson Auditorium in Vanderslice Hall (4415 Warwick, 816-802-3435), plus discussion, a dance presentation and cake.

Mon., Jan. 19, 9 a.m., 2009