Ocean City will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at two different events on Monday, Jan. 20: the Day of Service and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony and Soul Food Dinner.
The ceremony, a long tradition in Ocean City, will be held at noon at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center of Ocean City High School. It brings the community together to remember King through words, song and dance. After the program, everybody is invited to a free soul food dinner in the high school cafeteria.
Assemblyman-elect Antwan McClellan, Joseph Pratt, Georgina Shanley, Brittany Battle, Takiya Wilson and Joshua Baker will be honored with Martin Luther King Awards for their service to the community.
The Rev. Gregory Johnson of Shiloh Baptist Church will bring back one of the event’s traditional highlights – his recitation of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The Rev. Marcia Sanford of Macedonia Methodist Church and the Rev. Stephen Connor of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will give welcome remarks and the invocation. Father Allen Lowell of St. Damien Parish will offer the closing prayer.
The Freedom Singers from Stockton University, under the direction of Dr. Beverly Vaughn, will perform musical selections.
After the program, everybody is invited to a free soul food dinner in the high school cafeteria. The menu includes fried chicken and other comfort food. The Hughes Performing Arts Center is at Ocean City High School, and the entrance is on the beach block of Sixth Street.
Volunteers are also invited to join others nationwide in a Day of Service earlier on Jan. 20 to honor Dr. King’s contributions.
Residents are asked to participate in a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign-ups will take place at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center, located in the Community Center, 18th Street and Simpson Avenue. Supplies for the cleanup will be handed out.
Hot drinks and refreshments will be available back at the Senior Center after the cleanup. To participate or for more information, call 609-399-6111.
ART EXHIBITS IN FEBRUARY:
Gary Levy — the “Best of Show” winner for his photo “Marker Magic” in the Ocean City Arts Center’s 2019 Juried Photography Show — will bring his work to the Arts Center (1735 Simpson Ave.) Feb. 1 through Feb. 29. A “Meet the Artist” reception, free and open to the public, will be held 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. Call 609-399-7628 for more information.
The Ocean City Fine Arts League presents the “Black, White & One Color of Choice” Art Show and Exhibition throughout February. There will be a “Meet The Artist” reception and awards presentation 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. The event is free and open to the public. The Arts League is at 711 Asbury Avenue. Call 609-814-0308 for more information.
ALSO COMING UP:
NATURE FUN-DAY (Feb. 15): All are invited to a free “Family-Friendly Nature and the Environment Fun-Day” featuring zoo animals, crafts, games, music and stories. The event will be held 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 15 in the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center within the Ocean City Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue). Activities will include making your own pine-cone birdfeeder. Sponsors include the Cape May County Park and Zoo, the Ocean City Environmental Commission and the Ocean City Free Public Library.
U.S. AIR FORCE BAND (March 15): Enjoy a free concert given by the brass ensemble of the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band 2 p.m. March 15 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The show will feature orchestral transcriptions, patriotic favorites, jazz standards, new compositions and distinctive arrangements.
To reserve your tickets for this free concert, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, stop by an Ocean City Welcome Center or call 609-399-6111. General admission seating. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for this free concert will be available starting Feb. 3.
