The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is co-sponsoring the 16th annual family festival, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice. This FREE two-day festival takes place on Sunday, January 15, 2012, from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Monday, January 16, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven. The festival will focus on environmental and social justice, civil rights, non-violent advocacy, equality of resources and community enrichment.
The free family festival events are co-sponsored by the DEEP’s Environmental Justice Program, the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, Citizens Bank, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the Yale Office of New Haven and State Affairs, Subway and Stop & Shop.
“Honoring Dr. King through this Family Festival has become a tradition in Connecticut over the past fifteen years and the event attracts visitors and participants of diverse backgrounds and international talents,” said Daniel C. Esty, Commissioner of the DEEP. “Through all of his work, Dr. King serves as a role model for us and is not to be forgotten.”
“The Connecticut DEEP is honored to sponsor this annual Family Festival to recognize the achievements of Dr. King. The late Dr. King was committed to addressing environmental issues and public health concerns that disproportionately affect communities of color. Important steps have been taken to address this issue in Connecticut and as a result, public participation is encouraged in the decisions of government and industry throughout all of Connecticut,” added Commissioner Esty.
The two days of educational activities for families and people of all ages and backgrounds include performances by members of the New Haven community and from around the world, including music, poetry, children’s storytelling and dance.
On Sunday, January 15th, from 12:30 to 5:00pm, teens from the Yale Peabody Museum's EVOLUTIONS After School Program will host their 3rd annual event celebrating the legacy of Dr. King. This year, they are bringing together high school students from across the greater New Haven area to explore the themes of “Unity & Community”. The event will feature exciting interactive sessions led by a variety of teen-centered organizations from around the area. All students who participate in the full event are invited to an after party from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, where there will be free food, good music, and dancing. Come explore your community!
Other highlights of this year’s celebration include:
Sunday, January 15, Noon to 4:30 pm
World Stage Performances (Great Hall of Dinosaurs)
1:00–1:30 Premier Jazz Ensemble
2:00–2:30 African Arawak Connection
4:00–4:30 St. Luke’s Steel Band
3rd Floor Auditorium
12:30–5:00 “Unity & Community” — Teen Summit
3rd Floor Storytelling (North American Dioramas)
12:30–1:15 Karen Johnson — “Baba, the Farmer” and “Butterflies Should Be Free”
1:30–2:15 Joy Donaldson — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Word and Song
2:30–3:15 Waltrina Kirkland Mullins — Past and Present: We Live the Legacy!
Monday, January 16, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
World Stage Performances (Great Hall of Dinosaurs)
11:00–11:30 Boogie Chillun
12:00–12:30 Brian Jarawa Gray and Friends
1:00–1:30 New Haven Breakdancers
2:00–2:30 New Haven Breakdancers
3:00–3:30 Kouffin Kanecke Company — Traditional West African dance and drumming performance
3:45–4:30 Michael Mills — Drumming performance and drum circle finale
3rd Floor Auditorium
11:00–12:30 Zannette Lewis Environmental and Social Justice Community Poetry Open Mic — An opportunity for people of all ages to share their original poetry or rap and speak their minds on issues of justice and injustice. Pre-registration required.
1:00–4:30 Annual Invitational Zannette Lewis Environmental and Social Justice Poetry Slam
Invited Poetry Slam Participants: Kyle Brooks, Darian Dachaun, Ishmael"Ish" Islam, Joseph Robbins, Iyaba Mandingo, Caroline Rothstein, Tracy Caldwell, Lyvonne Proverbs Briggs, Monique Jarvis, Narubi Selah
Plus more than 20 hands-on educational activities for families.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Environmental Justice Family Festival has grown during the last 16 years, with attendance increasing from 1,400 visitors the first year to more than 5800 during the 2011 celebration. Activities are for adults and children of all ages, including teens.
For further information contact the Yale Peabody Museum at (203) 432-3776 or visit www.peabody.yale.edu/events/upcoming-events.
Directions: In New Haven, Connecticut, take Exit 3 off Interstate 91 (either north or southbound) onto the Trumbull Street connector, and make a right turn at the second intersection onto Whitney Avenue (follow the posted signs to the Yale Peabody Museum).
The Museum is located at 170 Whitney Avenue, at the corner of Whitney Avenue and Sachem Street, one block north of the intersection of Whitney Avenue and Trumbull Street.
Parking: Weekend parking is free in all Yale University parking lots.
Honorary Chairs
The Honorable John DeStefano, Jr.
Mayor of New Haven
The Honorable Martin Looney
State Senator, 11th Senatorial District
The Honorable Toni N. Harp
State Senator, 10th Senatorial District
The Honorable Toni E. Walker
State Representative, 93rd Assembly District
The following organizations will host Activity Areas on one or both days of the celebration:
Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center
Black Caucus of America Library Association –CT Affiliate
CitySeed
Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Kellogg Environmental Center
Connecticut People’s World/Communist Party
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., New Haven Alumnae Chapter
Experience Corps. — Greater New Haven
Fairfield County Environmental Justice Network
Greater New Haven Peace Council
National Council of Negro Women, New Haven Section
New Haven Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health
New Haven/Leon Sister City Project
Peabody On the Road
Promoting Enduring Peace
RSVP of South Central CT/Gray is Green program of Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut
Solar Youth
Teachers Against Prejudice
The Descendants of the Connecticut 29th C.V. Infantry Regiment
UCONN Master Gardeners, New Haven County
WPKN
