Courage. Truth. Service.
Celebrate these values and more at Dreamfest 2017, a three-day commemoration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., beginning this Saturday, Jan. 14.
With the theme of “Healing Race Relations through Conversation and Participation,” this year’s celebration, presented by the Town of Cary, offers multiple family events, as follow:
Tellebration
Saturday, Jan. 14 at 9 a.m.
Held at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, the free Tellebration event brings together African-American storytellers Willa Brigham and Donna Washington and author Johnny Ray Moore to engage children by demonstrating the themes of conversation and participation to learn more about Dr. King and his teachings.
Diversity Summit
Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A series of free panel discussions at the Cary Arts Center coordinated by Jireh Management on the Dreamfest theme of “Healing Race Relations through Conversation and Participation.”
Poetry Fest
Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.
The Cary Theater hosts this free event, inviting area poets to join in participation through poetry. The event will be moderated by poet and cultural historian Darrell Stover.
Maya Angelou: “And Still I Rise”
Sunday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.
“And Still I Rise” is the first feature documentary created about writer, poet, actress and activist Maya Angelou. Presented at The Cary Theater; tickets are $5.
Day of Service 2017
Monday, Jan. 16; Sessions 10 a.m. to noon, and 2 to 4 p.m.
The MLK Jr. Day of Service is a way to give back to the community, by volunteering your time to help maintain and beautify the area around Middle Creek Community Center.
All ages are welcome. To register, visit townofcary.org and search Dreamfest.
More!
Don’t miss a special exhibit highlighting the contributions of Rev. Dr. John William Meadows, principal in Cary’s first school for African American children and a preacher who served communities in five counties.
The J.W. Meadows exhibit is on display at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center in Cary through Feb. 17. A reception will be held Jan. 27 from 6 to 8 pm.
John William Meadows (1874 – 1954) born a decade after Emancipation, was a leader in Cary’s African-American community during a time of great challenge. Teaching in Cary during the week and preaching in rural areas on the weekend, Meadows established a strong educational and religious foundation in Western Wake County.
Artifacts from his life that he used to preach, teach and lead a community that thrived in the face of challenge offer a wider glimpse of Cary’s history. The artifacts were preserved and donated by Rev. Jimmy Gibbs, Meadows’ great grandson.
The exhibit will include a mystery for visitors to consider. For more information, visit friendsofpagewalker.org, or call (919) 460-4963.
