SATURDAY
January 15

PLEASE NOTE: Due to current Covid challenges, all 2022 events were held online — Together, “virtually” gathering to bring the Joy!

Please Share … and remember to SUBSCRIBE to MLK Saratoga’s YOUTUBE Channel!

9:00 am - 9:15 am

COMMUNITY PEACE MEDITATION

Connecting over zoom, Rev. Kathy Johnson begins each morning session by lighting a candle, reading from Dr. King, and then guiding participants through a 5-minute meditation, followed with a brief, gentle body movement, and closing with a song about peace. (Please note that only Rev. Kathy will be visible onscreen.) Rev. Kathy’s bio and info about her Monday workshop session, “Creating Peace in a Spiritual Way: Putting Research into Practice,” available HERE.

UPDATE:
Reverend Kathy is continuing the daily PEACE meditations from 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Join when you can — ALL are welcome. Use link below.

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

FAMILY PUPPET THEATER

The Three little pigs - WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

with The Puppet People

Since 1994, The Puppet People have performed in over 3,000 shows and have delighted audiences young and old. Master Puppeteers Mark Carrigan and Michelle Smith-Carrigan have sought to reintroduce children’s classic tales into our hectic modern world, inspiring children with the ancient art of puppetry and creating family and community memories that will last a lifetime.

Join us for this fun and heart-warming rendition of a well-loved tale, with just a bit of a “piggy-wig twist to the tail,” so to speak!

10:00 am - 11:30 am

WORKSHOP

NONVIOLENT commuNication practice

with Philomena Moriarty

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles of nonviolence — the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart. NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies — whether verbal or physical — are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture.

NVC also assumes that we all share the same basic human needs, and that all actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs. People who practice NVC have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, and deepening connection and conflict resolution.

The NVC community is active in over 65 countries around the globe.

Philomena Moriarity, LCSW, is an active member of the Nonviolent Communications (NVC) community in the Capital District and has taught its Basic Course for several years. Professionally, she worked with crime victims and trauma for 12 years and is now in private practice. She specializes in Abuse/Neglect, Anxiety/Panic Attacks, Chronic Pain, Depression, PTSD, Stress Management and Marriage/Relationship issues. Her practice addresses trauma, whether from old conditioning, childhood wounds or traumatic events in order to promote deeper healing as clients deal with subconscious beliefs, thoughts and behaviors that result in their suffering.

11:00 AM - 12:00 noon

FAMILY ONLINE EXPERIENCE!

“… and who walked this ground”

with Dr. Joe Bruchac, partnering with Youth Squared

Together we will look at the history and traditions of the Native people — past and present — whose connections to the Saratoga area and Congress Park are deeply meaningful.

Dr. Joe Bruchac, an enrolled member of the Nulhegan Abenaki Nation is presenting this program.  Joe Bruchac is a lifelong resident of Saratoga County. A writer, storyteller and musician, his performances and his many publications often reflect his deep interest and immersion in the histories, traditions, and cultures of the indigenous people of the northeast. 

Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) is an organization based in Saratoga County made up of both youth and adults working together to improve the lives of people around the world. Youth2 is committed to finding unique ways to help youth provide philanthropic services, promote social action and build community by providing financial support and guidance to youth that helps them turn their social action ideas into an impactful reality — both locally and globally.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION

COMMUNITIES IN Action

A COMMUNITY FORUM ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and the Implications for Our Community

A panel of community leaders will come together to help us better understand the structural inequities that impact our communities and how we can imagine ourselves as agents of change and action.

Presented as part of MLK Saratoga’s Dr. King Celebration Weekend by Saratoga Educational Equity Network (S.E.E.N.), MLK Saratoga, The Black Studies Program at Skidmore College, and SUNY Empire State College Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Rescheduled for 2/26/22
10:30am - 12:00 noon

WORKSHOP
SPAC’s School of the Arts
99 South Broadway
(located behind the National Museum of Dance)

Joyful resistance dance experience!

with Tina Fretto

(For ages 7 thru adult) With a short introductory talk on the history and relevance of jazz tap dance as a trailblazer for equality, this master class will provide a joyful experience in the movement and technique that are the underpinnings of the jazz tap form. Working from an African Diasporic dance foundation, participants will be gently guided through a center warm-up and across the floor movement and footwork that will culminate into a jubilant dance combination based in both jazz and tap dance. No Tap Dance Shoes Required! Participants may wear tap or jazz shoes, ballet slippers, non-street sneakers, or dance barefoot. Recommended clothing: sweatpants, leggings or tights, leotard or t-shirt. 

As a native Saratoga Springs jazz tap artist and educator, Tina Fretto has taught, performed, and choreographed throughout New England, New Jersey, and New York for over 30 years. From 2002-2020, she was the owner/artistic director of Saratoga Jazz Tap where she mentored dancers through private and small group instruction, created new works, and produced concerts and annual festivals for National Tap Dance Day, bringing in guest artists and instructors. She has performed for Margo Mensing in “Stoptime: a Louis Armstrong Celebration,” at Jacob's Pillow in Lenox, M.A. with Lynn Schwab, the Troy Saving's Bank Music Hall in Duke Ellington's "Sacred Symphonies" with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, The National Museum of Dance Gala’s "Singing In The Rain" with the Alex Torres Orchestra, and in NYC at Swing 46 under the auspices of Buster Brown and Zinno's Jazz Tap Brunch with Barbara Duffy. She has choreographed & directed for the American Tap Dance Foundation’s "Something's-a-Foot,” Saratoga City Ballet's "The Nutcracker: Sweet & Swingin'," Saratoga Arts Festival, The National Museum of Dance Black History Month Celebration, Saratoga Children's Theatre, Saratoga Springs High School Drama Club, and St. Clement's Church. A protege of Brenda Bufalino, Tina's work is infused and inspired by the lineage and repertoire of the Copasetics Club — the original 21-member group of "Hoofers," whose artistry laid a firm foundation for the jazz tap form. Additionally, she has been fortunate to mentor with tap artists Heather Cornell, Barbara Duffy, and Katherine Kramer. Tina serves on the board of the Dance Alliance of the Capital Region and the Catholic Daughters of America. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts/Directing from the State University of New York at Albany and is pursuing a master's degree in Childhood & Special Education at Fordham University. Tina currently serves as tap dance lecturer at Skidmore College.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

FILM SCREENING & PANEL DISCUSSION

THE LOST RONDOUT: A STORY OF URBAN REMOVAL

sponsored by C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios

The term, "urban renewal" sounds like breathing life into a sleepy city. But the history of urban renewal has, in reality, been a far cry from revitalizing neighborhoods. For many neighborhoods, urban renewal has come with the destruction of neighborhoods and community life. Join us in viewing this documentary which tells the story of Kingston, New York's transformation during one such project. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film-makers and special guests to talk about the history of urban renewal in Kingston, Saratoga Springs, and other U.S. neighborhoods.

Panelists include:

• Marcus Anderson, artist

• Lynn Woods, filmmaker

• Stephen Blauweiss, filmmaker

• David Hochfelder, Historian, 98 Acres in Albany Project

• Joy King, Saratoga Springs West Side resident

• Julianne Lewis, moderator, C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios

Lost Rondout: A Story of Urban Removal (lostrondoutproject.com)

In the late 1960s, most of the historic downtown Rondout district of Kingston, New York, was demolished in a federally funded urban renewal project, displacing thousands of people. This new 69-minute documentary film was completed in October 2016 and was produced and directed by Stephen Blauweiss and Lynn Woods.

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

INTERVIEW

NORTHSHIRE PRESENTS:
AUTHOR MICHELLE COLES

Michelle Coles is an attorney with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights division and the debut author of BLACK WAS THE INK (on-sale date 11/2/21), whose work contributed to the closure of multiple cruel juvenile prisons, including the Dozier Correctional Facility in Florida (the subject of the recent YA novel The Nickel Boys) and Walnut Grove Correctional Facility in Mississippi.  

With BLACK WAS THE INK, Michelle Coles hopes that revealing oft-hidden African American history will empower young people with tools to understand how history informs the present so they can reimagine their destiny.

This Northshire author event with Michelle Coles will be virtual and/or at the bookstore. We’ll keep you posted!

6:00 pm - 6:50 pm

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION #1:

The Brilliance of the Female Spirit in Today’s Activism — Have Women Been the Deciding Factor in Faith and Social Activism throughout Our Country?

with Pastor Holly Strickland

Pastor Holly Strickland will facilitate this online conversation exploring and expanding on the vibrant role of women as agents of Change!

Pastor Holly Strickland, currently a Doctoral candidate of the Rochester Colgate Divinity School, was born and raised in Elmira, New York, graduating from Elmira Free Academy. Founder and CEO of Shalom Family Ministries – bringing God’s peace to parents and families – she holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (Rochester, NY), a M.Ed in Education Administration (St. John Fisher College), and a M. Ed in Curriculum Design and Instruction, as well as a B.A. in English (University of Rochester). With over 40 years as an Educator, Pastor Holly has retired after serving as an Administrator in the Elmira City School District, as well as Principal of Rochester’s Destiny School for Gifted and Talented and Director of Destiny Pre-School.

A prolific writer, Pastor Holly has had featured work in Mother Muse (Vol. 1), Motherly Musings (Vol. 2), and My Mother Taught Me (Vol. 3) – a collection of books sharing the joys and challenges of motherhood and celebrating maternal lessons. Her articles on parenting, literacy, and teaching have appeared in regional newspapers and she has participated in the International Ministry with Crossover Global Outreach Ministries (Kenya, East Africa) as an Inspirational Speaker.

Pastor Holly’s community outreach and involvement is broad and deep, including: Licensed Preacher (United Methodist Church, Frederick Douglass AME Zion Church); NAACP Executive Board member (Elmira/Corning Chapter); Interfaith Hospitality Center Board of Directors-Elmira Prison Reformatory; President – YWCA Board of Directors (Elmira); Board of Directors – Able 2 (formerly Cerebral Palsy and Handicapped Children’s Association of Chemung County);  Board of Directors-Rotary International’s Camp STAR; Prayer Shawl Ministry; Sisters in Success: Mentoring Program for Middle School Girls; and Pink Pearls Etiquette: Mentoring and Leadership Program for Girls

Mother of five adult children and grandmother of three, Pastor Holly has traveled widely overseas and across the United States. She has been Pastor of Webb Mills United Methodist Church, Pine City, NY, since 2017.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

YADDO PRESENTS:

LOVE IS TRANSFORMATION: QUEER Genius in Contemporary Culture, with Author arabelle sicardi AND Filmmaker Sam Feder

Arabelle Sicardi is an American feminist fashion and beauty writer. As a teenager, they launched a blog called Fashion Pirate, becoming Tumblr's go-to 'fashion philosopher and beauty oracle'. Sicardi has also been a staff writer at Rookie, beauty editor at BuzzFeed, and a freelance writer for Refinery29, The Daily Beast, and Jezebel. Now, they write about beauty, fashion, feminism, and identity for many different places. Their acclaimed book, QUEER HEROES “is a beautiful, bold book” celebrating “the achievements of LGBTQ+ people through history and from around the world— featuring dynamic full-color portraits of a diverse selection of 53 inspirational role models accompanied by short biographies that focus on their incredible successes.”

Sam Feder is the creator and director of DISCLOSURE, “an unprecedented, eye-opening look at transgender depictions in film and television, revealing how Hollywood simultaneously reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender. Leading trans thinkers and creatives, including Laverne Cox, Lilly Wachowski, Yance Ford, Mj Rodriguez, Jamie Clayton, and Chaz Bono, share their reactions and resistance to some of Hollywood’s most beloved moments …What emerges is a fascinating story of dynamic interplay between trans representation on screen, society’s beliefs, and the reality of trans lives. DISCLOSURE provokes a startling revolution in how we see and understand trans people.” Now streaming on Netflix.

7:00 pm - 7:50 pm

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION #2:

Martin and Malcolm — SHIFTING THE STRUGGLE FROM CIVIL RIGHTS TO HUMAN RIGHTS

with Dr. Kenneth Clarke, Sr.

Kingian scholar Dr. Ken Clarke will be exploring how this emphasis in the later periods of the public careers of Dr. King and Malcolm X reflected their evolving understanding of the black freedom struggle in the U.S. The expanded perspective of both men utilized international human rights law and principles to pressure the United States to a social transformation that would truly deliver liberty and justice for all. Each of them inherited a human rights/black internationalist tradition which origins could be traced to the activism and intellectual production of Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, and others. As an extension of that tradition, Martin and Malcolm sought to connect the African American struggle to global anti-racist and anti-colonial liberation efforts and the international peace movement. This linkage was also intended to encourage mutual support between the U.S. domestic and foreign movements for social transformation. A 21st Century continuation of the internationalized human rights legacy of these legendary leaders and their predecessors was evident in the global response to the lynching of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN in May 2020 by former police officer Derek Chauvin, who is serving a 22-½ year prison sentence for his crime and has pled guilty to a federal charge of violating Mr. Floyd’s civil rights. This most recent example could serve as a model for more protracted social justice initiatives in the United States in the future.

Rev. Dr. Ken Clarke, Sr. is Director of the Tompkins County Office of Human Rights in Ithaca, NY. His expertise is in the areas of diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice, as well as advocacy and human rights. In his role with Tompkins County, Ken is charged with developing and facilitating relevant educational programming for Tompkins County residents and is involved with various community affairs, building partnerships with key stakeholders. As Director, Ken consults with individuals on matters of injustice and provides support for those human rights complaints.

As an ordained minister, Ken is skilled in the areas of human rights and religious freedom, with interfaith and ecumenical engagement.  He is a skilled preacher, public speaker, and educator.  From 2001 until his retirement in 2017, Ken was Director of Cornell United Religious Work at Cornell University.  He also served as Assistant Director and Director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs at Penn State University from 1990-2001.  Ken was the first African American in both of those positions.

While at Penn State, Ken was an Instructor in African/African American Studies and co-pastor of the Albright Bethune United Methodist Church in State College.  In his early career, Ken was employed at Third Baptist Church of San Francisco from 1987-1990, working initially with the church’s Ethiopian Refugee Resettlement Project and later as Assistant Pastor/Administrator.

A native of Baltimore, MD, Ken earned a B.A. in English from Morgan State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and the Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH).  Ken is married with two adult children and one grandchild.