For the lucky ones who are free from work and school this Monday, it can be easy to look at this weekend as a three-day rest-a-thon. But Atlanta is perhaps the city richest with landmarks and artifacts relating to Martin Luther King, Jr. Both the King Center and the National Historic Site will hold events honoring our most prominent native son throughout the weekend. And of course, Monday is also a nationally recognized day of service.
Programs sponsored by the King National Historic Site include two events at Ebenezer Baptist Church: A screening and panel discussion of documentary “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence,” and an event titled “A Tribute to the Movement: Messages in the Music,” which will feature music and poetry centered on the Civil Rights movement. Screening: Thursday 7:30 p.m.; music: Friday 8 p.m. nps.gov/malu
King Week continues at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. This weekend’s events include the annual Salute to Greatness Awards, which this year will be awarded to Muhammad Ali and Xerox, and a commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist. Awards: Saturday 6 p.m.; service: Monday 10 a.m. thekingcenter.org
King’s calls to action are the centerpiece of the Hands on Atlanta annual Day of Service. More than 3,000 people are expected to participate in the service projects offered, many of which still have room for more volunteers. Monday 9 a.m. handsonatlanta.org
The MLKDay5K features a 3.1 mile race through Piedmont Park and benefits various Atlanta schools, churches, and community organizations. High school drummers will line the course to keep runners and walkers motivated. Monday 8:45 a.m. mlkday5k.com
Other picks for the weekend:
The Wailers
Bob Marley’s iconic reggae band performs the “Legend” greatest hits album at The Masquerade from beginning to end for the record’s 30th anniversary, ensuring you’ll have plenty of chances to sing along. Thursday 7 p.m. masqueradeatlanta.com
Josh Green
The Atlanta journalist and author will talk at SCAD’s Ivy Hall in Atlanta about his short story collection, “Dirtyville Rhapsodies,” named by our own Teresa Weaver as one of 2013’s ten best books by local authors. Thursday 6 p.m. scad.edu
Professional Bull Riders
Starting with pyrotechnics and explosions and ending with guys getting violently thrown off bulls, the Professional Bull Riders series at the Arena at Gwinnett Center features the world’s top thirty-five riders. Saturday 7:50 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. gwinnettcenter.com
The Geller Girls
The Alliance Theatre presents the world premiere of Atlanta playwright Janece Shaffer’s drama of two sisters living in Atlanta at the end of the nineteenth century—including all the drama and excitement of the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition. Through January 31. alliancetheatre.org
Fee Free Day
In honor of the MLK holiday, the National Park Service is allowing free admittance Monday for parks that usually charge fees, including the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Sandy Springs. nps.gov/chat