- Slideshow of MLK Day celebration Thursday at Ann Arbor's Mitchell Elementary School.

Here's a list of events to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Ann Arbor area.

Friday, Jan. 15:
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sing Along at Erickson Elementary School.
Kick off the celebration with children singing songs about freedom, inspiration, and patriotism. Free, and all are invited. 1:45 p.m., 1427 Levona St., Ypsilanti. 734-714-1600.

Monday, Jan. 18:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum.
There will be special entertainment for the kids in honor of MLK. Special admission prices: $2 for everyone. All ages. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 220 E. Ann St. between Fourth Ave. and Fifth Ave. 734-995-5439

• Metroparks offers free entry on Martin Luther King Jr. "Appreciation Day."
All 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks will be free for the day. Go cross-country skiing or take the dogs on a field trip.

• Reaching Dr. King’s Dream in the Obama Era in the Student Center auditorium, Eastern Michigan University.
This lecture is presented by Keith Boykin, the highest ranking openly gay person in the Clinton White House. He later went on to teach political science in Washington, starred in a Showtime political television series, and became the founder and first president of the National Black Justice Coalition. Free and open to the public. 10:30 a.m., 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti. Contact Campus Life at 734-487-3045 or campuslife@emich.edu.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledges the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial for his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963.

The Associated Press

• MLK Day Celebration at Thomas M. Cooley Law School - Ann Arbor Campus, in the library.
This event features a speech on racial profiling by Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton. There will also be discussions, songs, and a skit. Free. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3475 Plymouth Road.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at the Ypsilanti District Library.
The YDL will show the movie "Selma, Lord, Selma," which is based on events that happened in Selma, Ala., on what has become known as Bloody Sunday in 1965. The movie will be playing continuously from noon until 5 pm. Showings will be noon, 1:15, 2:30, and 3:45 pm. Free. All ages. 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. Call 734-482-4110, ext. 1390.

• Storytelling: Valuable Tool in Improving Race Relations.
Elizabeth James, the University of Michigan's program associate for Afro-American and African Studies, will speak. Food buffet will be available. Noon. On the second floor of the Kiwanis Activities Center, 200 S. First St., Ann Arbor. Free. Call 734 665-0450.

• Business and Finance MLK Celebration - Exploring Global Connections: Celebrating Differences and Similarities.
Keynote speaker Mark Johnson will discuss the "Playing for Change" project, a foundation dedicated to uniting the world through music. 1 p.m. at Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor. Free. www.playingforchange.com.

• Academic Sessions Offered in Celebration of MLK Jr. Day.
Different rooms will feature discussions on topics such as "Racialized Role Strain in the Academy" and "Stereotypes and Film." 2-2:50 p.m. and 3-3:50 p.m. at Eastern Michigan University's Student Center Auditorium, 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti. Free and open to the public. Call 734-487-1157.

• Author Appearance: Sapphire - Push, Literacy, Women and African-American Literature.
Award-winning poet, author and educator Sapphire will give a presentation. Sapphire's novel "Push" was adapted into the recent film "Precious." 2 p.m. at the Michigan Union, 530 S. State St., Ann Arbor. Free and open to the public.

• Special Movie Showing on MLK Day at Pinckney Community Public Library.
Go to the Pinckney Library for popcorn and a movie. Call the library at 734-878-3888 for the movie title. 2 p.m. Free. 340 Mower Road, Pinckney.

• Join the JCC on MLK Day for Youth Social Action Day at the Jewish Community Center.
The JCC is hosting a Youth Social Action Day event with the theme "Make Your Voice Heard." The event will feature a performance by the group Singers of United Lands, as well as activities and international snacks. For more information or to RSVP, contact Deborah Huerta at deborahhuerta@jccfed.org or 734-971-0990. For all youth (grades K-5) in the community and their families. 2:30-4 p.m. Free. 2935 Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor.

• MLK Day Celebration: Engaging in Creative Change at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre.
The faculty of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance will offer personal comments and musical performances. 3 p.m. Free, no tickets required. 911 N. University Ave. in the Michigan League. 734-763-3333.

• Rackham’s MLK Day Free Film Series - Adam Clayton Powell at Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St.
A film series reflecting the civil rights movement will be presented in honor of MLK Jr.

• Adam Clayton Powell (1989): This Academy Award-nominated film delves into the gripping life and career of the most influential and flamboyant civil rights leader in America in the '30s, '40s and '50s. Produced and directed by: Richard Kilberg and Yvonne Smith. 3:10-4:04 p.m. Free.
• We Shall Not Be Moved (2006): This film examines the influential role of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in the civil rights movement. This small but historical church in Montgomery was where King served as pastor, while finishing his Ph.D. dissertation in Theology. Produced and directed by: Bernie Hargis. 4:10-4:55 p.m. Free.
• King (2008): This film features a contemporary examination of the life of Martin Luther King. Narrator Tom Brokaw interviews figures such as Bill Clinton and Condoleezza Rice to explore King’s influence on the civil rights movement in the United States. Produced by: NBC News, executive producers: Knute Walker. 5:10-6:45 p.m. Free.

• The CloseUP Theatre Troupe at the Student Center auditorium, EMU.
The troupe will perform in celebration of MLK Jr. Day. Performances at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti. 734-487-1157.

• MLK Day Celebration Panel Discussion at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre.
This event is hosted by University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. 4:30 p.m. Free - no tickets required. 911 N. University Ave. Michigan League. 734-763-3333.

• Candlelight Walk and Afterglow at the Student Center auditorium, EMU.
The walk and afterglow will be held to honor and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. The candlelight walk begins at 5 p.m., and the afterglow at 5:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Visit www.emich.edu/mlk/. 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti. 734-487-1157.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at the Ypsilanti District Library - Whittaker Road.
The Erickson Excellence Song Flute and Vocal Arts Ensemble will perform patriotic and freedom songs. A movie and kids craft will follow the performance. 6 p.m. Free.
All ages welcome. 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110.

• 2010 Chelsea Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Washington Street Education Center (WSEC).
AnnArbor.com contributor Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, State Representative Pam Byrnes, and County Commissioner Mark Ouimet will discuss such topics as multicultural living. The Michigan Pops Choir will perform. Attendees are also encouraged to bring canned goods or personal care items to be donated to Faith-in-Action. 7 p.m., 500 Washington St., Chelsea.

Slideshow of the MLK Day sing-along at Ypsilanti's Erickson Elementary School.