In person or by remote, events to honor MLK

Several events in the Charlotte area will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday:

Harvey B. Gantt Center: A full day of programs, engaging art workshops, lectures, panel discussions, in-depth film discussions, performances and more to celebrate King’s impact on Monday - but it will all be virtual. The Gantt Center said in a Friday statement its commemoration of the national holiday in recognition of the civil rights icon will be a “fully virtual event” due to the chances of severe winter weather “and increased health and safety precautions.” Check out the full schedule at ganttcenter.org/calendar/mlk-day-2022.

YMCA of Greater Charlotte: The McCrorey YMCA on Beatties Ford Road will host a virtual MLK Day celebration featuring prayers, speakers and performances. The event will begin at 9 a.m., and can be viewed on Facebook, YouTube or YMCACharlotte.org.

Levine Museum of the New South: The museum’s virtual celebration will include singing, dancing and spoken word performances that will focus on the importance of voting rights. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

Day of service: The Town of Fort Mill, S.C., is hosting its MLK Call to Service Day, where donations for seven area organizations will be collected. Participants are asked to donate Walmart or Lowe’s gift cards, backpacks, new or gently used sneakers, diapers and more. Items can be dropped off at Fort Mill Town Hall, 200 Tom Hall St., from 8 a.m. to noon.

▪ Samaritan’s Feet is holding a day of service in Charlotte, where volunteers will help sort shoes in its warehouse. Attendees are asked to bring a new pair of athletic shoes or a $25 donation. Those who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine dose, or choose to keep their vaccination status private, are asked to wear a mask. The event is at The Park Church, 4808 Chesapeake Dr., from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

▪ The Actualizing the Dream celebration is designed to highlight Cabarrus County’s efforts to advance an emerging diverse population. Events were held Saturday, but a memorial march and wreath-laying ceremony will take place on Monday at 11 a.m., near the Cannon Memorial Library, 27 N. Union St. in Kannapolis.

Government meetings

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners: The first public hearing of the budget season will be held during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Speakers will be given three minutes to share comments in person, remotely or by phone. Deadline to register to speak is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Sign up at mecknc.seamlessdocs.com/f/clerk.

The meeting can be watched on the Government Channel or online at watch.mecknc.gov.

Charlotte City Council: Among the agenda items for Tuesday’s zoning meeting are two rezoning petitions involving properties slated for new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools campuses near Ballantyne. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. This meeting also will be shown on the Government Channel and the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Don’t miss

▪ The Charlotte Hornets have a busy week with four games. They’ll head to New York to take on the Knicks at 1 p.m. Monday, before traveling to Boston for a Wednesday night game against the Celtics. The Hornets return home to play Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night and the Atlanta Hawks on night. Both games tip off at 7 p.m.

▪ PARA will open its doors on Tremont Avenue in South End on Tuesday. The globally influenced menu is the brainchild of executive chef Alex Verica and will be complemented by a creative cocktail program developed by Yashira “Yoshi” Mejia. Meanwhile, The Royal Tot will open Friday in the Belmont neighborhood. The two-story bar is focused on rum-based drinks and has partnered with Paper Plane Deli & Market to create a menu of tropical food to pair with its cocktails. Read more about Charlotte’s food and entertainment scene at CharlotteFive.com.

Compile by Rogelio Aranda