Talks, parade, concert and music on schedule

The Desmond-Fish Library in Garrison will host two events to celebrate the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which takes place on the third Monday in January and happens this year to fall on his actual birthday, Jan. 15.

Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 (Photo by Marion S. Trikosko/Library of Congress)

On Sunday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m., the library will host a community potluck followed by a talk by Peter Egziabher, counsel and fellow in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, on voter disenfranchisement, the weaknesses of the registration system and how automation could help bring the more than 50 million unregistered voters in the U.S. to the polls.

On Monday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m. the library will host a concert celebrating King’s legacy with Tony Jefferson, Jon Sholle, Tony Garnier, Sherryl Marshall and Jonathan Kruk performing songs of civil rights and resistance. The library is located at the intersection of Routes 403 and 9D.

In Beacon, the Springfield Baptist Church will again host the annual celebration of King’s birthday, beginning with a continental breakfast on Jan. 15 from 8 to 9:20 a.m. at the church, which is located at 8 Mattie Cooper Square.

The theme of the 2018 celebration is “If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain.”

At 9:30 a.m., the line-up will begin for the fifth annual community parade (bring U.S. flags, posters and banners), followed at 10:45 a.m. by the presentation of the fifth annual Southern Dutchess Coalition/Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest.

At 11 a.m., the third annual youth and adult talent presentation will take place, and then youth, choir members and seniors will have lunch at 11:50 a.m., followed by adults at noon.

At 1 p.m., the Rev. Edward Benson of the New Vision Church of Deliverance in Peekskill will lead a worship service at Springfield Baptist. Music will be provided by Brandon Williams, Sharlene Stout, Shonna Robinson, and the Southern Dutchess Coalition Massed Choir. For more information, call the event chair, Jennifer Baker-McClinton, at 845-559-3076.

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