What’s Open, Closed, And Happening On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Whether you plan to spend Martin Luther King, Jr. Day reflecting on the nation’s unrest, taking in a movie at a local theater, or, I don’t know, selfishly capping off a three-day weekend without a thought to the significance of the day itself – here’s what you need to know about what offices are closed and services/regulations suspended for this coming Monday, January 18.

Government Offices, Parking, And Sanitation

All government offices are closed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, including courts.

There is no mail delivery.

All NYC public schools are closed. Students return to school on Tuesday, January 19, 2015.

Alternate side parking regulations are suspended. However, parking meters and all other parking regulations will remain in effect – so pay when you pump; NYC needs the money.

There is no sanitation collection on MLK Day. If Monday is your regular garbage day, place your items out after 5pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday. If Monday is your regular recycling day, it will not be collected until the following week.

Subways And Buses

The New York City subway will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, with minor timing changes. That means if your desired subway line does not run on weekends – we’re looking at you, B train – there will be no service on Monday.

Buses will operate on a weekday schedule with minor timing changes.

Libraries

All Brooklyn Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Looking for something to do?

We have many events in our neighborhood that you can attend:

Eyes on the Prize: Mississippi: Is This America? (1963-1964) and Bridge to Freedom (1965)
When: Thursday, January 14, 7:30pm
Where: Brooklyn Public Library — Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: In honor of the approaching celebration of Martin Luther King Day, BPL will screen the complete first season of award-winning documentary series, Eyes on the Prize. The final episodes the college students who travel south to help register black voters and three activists are murdered, and a decade of lessons is applied in the climactic and bloody march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. (1986; 120 min)
How much: Free.

Creative Art Workshops: I Have a Dream
When: Saturday, January 16, 11:00am-12:00pm
Where: Brooklyn Public Library — Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: Create a colorful “I Have a Dream” work of art and celebrate Dr. King’s dream and yours with artist Angeli Rasbury. Event for kids.
How much: Free.

Discussion Panel: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Social Justice
When: Sunday, January 17, 12:30-2pm
Where: Brooklyn Public Library — Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: Panelists reflect on Reverend King’s social and Christian philosophies in light of today’s social and activist movements.  Can Dr. King’s and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) black civil rights successes be replicated today? Moderated by Michael Partis, Research and Policy Director of Young Movement, Inc. and Ph.D. Candidate, CUNY Graduate Center.
How much: Free.

Sunday Colloquy: The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King with Rita Wilson
When: Sunday, January 17, 11am-12:30pm
Where: Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West at 2nd Street
What: The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King stimulates in discussion and opinion. We will examine two quotes by him: “The time is right to do what is right and human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable,” and “Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
How much: Free.

Families Celebrate Africa
When: Monday, January 18, 2:00-4:00pm
Where: Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West at 2nd Street
What: Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture offers a fun filled family event to celebrate African music and dance, with African face painting, crafts and costumes. Simba Yangala and the dancers from JungleDom will guide children of all ages through a relaxed  African dance lesson, followed by a performance that welcomes the participation from both, children and adults. Proceeds from this class will help provide scholarships for BSEC’s Ethics for Children Classes.
How much: $15. Tickets available here.

MLK Day Interfaith Prayer Service “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
When: Monday, January 18, 7:30pm
Where: Old First Reformed Church, 729 Carroll Street (at 7th Avenue)
What: In observance of MLK Day, Old First will host Interfaith Music and Prayers together with The Brooklyn Bangladeshi Muslim Community, City Councilmember Brad Lander, Resurrection Presbyterian Church, All Saints Episcopal Church, and Congregation Beth Elohim. Light refreshments to follow.
How much: Free.

And in other neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn:

Join neighbors in commemorating and celebrating King’s life and accomplishments at one or more of this week/weekend’s events in Brooklyn, which includes an annual tribute at BAM, creative projects at Brooklyn Public Library, and numerous talks at local churches.

Explore the fascinating, digitized archives of the King Center, and read letters, sermons, notes and more of one of America’s most brilliant minds. Or get inspired on the fly with these quotes.

Break an unjust law and watch the “I Have a Dream” speech online, something you likely have never seen in full because it’s restricted by copyright policed by Sony. Yep.

We wish you a peaceful and thoughtful day.

With additional reporting by Heather Chin.