Poetry Slam, Service Highlight MLK Jr. Week at Alma
Alma College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Week Jan. 16 through 22 features a variety of events celebrating the legacy of the civil rights leader and his message of peace and acceptance.
Among the events is the sixth annual Hilson Poetry Slam, co-hosted by the English department and the Multicultural Student Union. Laura von Wallmenich, assistant professor of English, says the event reflects Dr. King’s rhetorical finesse.
“Dr. King was above all else a wordsmith,” she says. “The civil rights movement depended on words to bring about social justice, which is why we have the poetry slam. The open mike allows every student to decide what words honor the day.”
Students explored social change in the United States during Martin Luther King Jr. workshops in January 2010.
Anne Ritz, service-learning coordinator, says the volunteer-based events honor Dr. King’s commitment to service.
“We encourage students to make it a day on, not a day off,” Ritz says. “There are many ways for students to get involved and serve this week, whether donating blood, working with youth, or offering a meal from their meal plan.”
The week’s activities include keynoter Michael Sidney Fosberg, who presents the solo-play “Incognito.” Africa’s Kenya Safari Acrobats also perform.
All Martin Luther King Jr. Week events at Alma College are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Jan. 16/Zawdie K. Abiade, a cultural diversity consultant and family therapist who graduated from Trinity College and Seminary, speaks during the weekly Alma College Chapel service at 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 in the Dunning Memorial Chapel.
Jan. 17/Alma College Service Learning classes sponsor a campus blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17 in the Stone Recreation Center Multipurpose Room. Call (989) 463-7971 to register or volunteer.
Jan. 17/A performance-based, hands-on workshop allows students a chance to work directly with keynote speaker Michael Fosberg and interactively explore issues of race and identity. The workshop takes place at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17 in the Swanson Academic Center Room 110 and is available to all on a first-come, first-served basis.
Jan. 17/Michael Sidney Fosberg presents an autobiographical performance of his search for his biological father at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17 in the Remick Heritage Center at Alma College. ”Incognito” unfolds as a mystery for both the actor and the audience. “Imagine discovering you are not the person you thought you were,” he says, “that you have a family, a history, an ethnicity you never knew.”
Jan. 18/The sixth annual Alma College Hilson Poetry Slam features an open microphone and audience participation by faculty and students reading original and published poetry at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 in the Tyler-VanDusen Rotunda.
Jan. 19/The Kenya Safari Acrobats perform gravity-defying human pyramids, limbo dancing, hurling through hoops, and more at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19 in the Remick Heritage Center at Alma College. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and up, and free for Alma College staff, students and youth 18 and under. Seating is reserved. Call (989) 463-7304 for ticket information.
Jan. 20/Students, faculty and staff are invited to join the alternative break committee in serving at Community Café, where meals are provided by Sodexo through meal/point donations from students, faculty and staff. The meal is served from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at First Presbyterian Church in Alma.
Jan. 22/To close the week of events, college students volunteer at Kids Night Out, a community-based event in which they watch movies, play games and go swimming with elementary age youth. Kids Night Out takes place at Alma High School from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22.
Posted: Mon, January 10th, 2011 at 9:01AM
