Three Days of Events Mark MLK Celebration

Reston will honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a full lineup of concerts, public service projects and tributes over three days this weekend.

Saturday, Jan. 14 - The Reston Community Orchestra will perform its sixth annual musical salute to King at 6 p.m. at the

The concert features the works of African American composers. Orchestral highlights of this year’s concert include the Petite Suite de Concert by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and A Dream of Conscience by Maryland-based Contemporary composer Eric Lacy.

This year, the orchestra will be joined by the Heritage Signature Chorale under the direction of Stanley J. Thurston. Also joining the orchestra is Reston's   Beverly Cosham. Admission is free, donations are appreciated.

Sunday, Jan. 15 - Voices of Inspiration is the 22nd Anniversary Program Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This event is sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church and includes many Reston faith communities.  

is at 4 p.m. at

Monday, Jan. 16 - The Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods is the site of a

At 9 a.m., citizens will assemble at the for a march to RCC-Hunters Woods. The march begins at 9:30 a.m. Participants should park at RCC and take a free shuttle bus (available from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m.) to Southgate.

From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the community will participate in a variety of service projects.

Projects will include making lunches for the sorting donations for the nonprofit thrift shop The Closet, and weather permitting, removing invasive plant species, marking storm drains, and cleaning up trash. 

The shuttle bus will take volunteers to and from Southgate for the projects there. Contact RCC at 703-476-4500 for pre-registration information

From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., children can rotate through a series of activities including games, storytelling/performance, and arts and crafts. All activities will be based on the history of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.

Following the service projects, there will be community service award all of whom exemplify King's dedication to community service.

There will then be a community lunch,  a keynote address by six-time GRAMMY award nominee Nnenna Freelon, and an exhibit of art by Reston children.

At 8 p.m., Jazz singer Freelon, who has performed or recorded with artists such as Jessye Norman, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, will . She will be joined onstage by the South Lakes High School Chorus for one memorable number. Tickets are $15.

The Reston 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration weekend is presented by the Reston Community Center in cooperation with Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church, the Office of Fairfax County Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins, Reston Community Orchestra, and Reston Interfaith, with the support of many other religious and civic organizations, business groups, and schools.