Somerville to Celebrate Martin Luther King Day

The city of Somerville is hosting an event on Jan. 20 to celebrate Martin Luther King Day.

The main event, called "The Dream: Equality for All," will take place at the East Somerville Community School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It will include a keynote speech by Adenrele Awotana, professor of urban and community studies at UMass Boston.

Awotana is director of the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters and former dean of the College of Public and Community Service at UMass Boston.

The celebration will also include performances by El Sistema Somerville, the Somerville High School Dance Team and the Interfaith Pick Up Choir, according to an announcement from the city of Somerville.

Somerville students will read essays in response to the theme "equality for all," and members of the Somerville community who exemplify King's legacy will receive awards, the announcement says.

In addition, the American Red Cross will be stationed at the East Somerville Community School from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-733-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.

Also, people are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for local food pantries.