Happenings January 12th - 18th

                                                                        

To kick off Martin Luther King Jr. Day, The National Black Arts Festival is taking a creative approach. This year the NBAF Presents the Thriving Together Atlanta Mobile Art Experience, a roving, immersive platform for public art, healing, and education. Designed to meet people where they are, the Mobile Art Bus serves as both a literal and symbolic vehicle for wellness, storytelling, and cultural expression. At each stop, the bus hosts a curated salon experience which includes a performance, education and healing arts.
 
Stop #1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance Week Celebration
January 12, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, 449 Auburn Avenue, NE
The Mobile Art Experience joins the King Center and the global community in recommitting to the mission of protecting freedom, justice, and democracy for all and pushing for a world where every individual can live with dignity and respect.
 
 
Stop #2
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance Week Celebration
January 16, 2026 | 9:30 AM–11 AM (event); 12 noon–2 PM (9 guided tours)
National Center for Civil & Human Rights Plaza, 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd, NW
 
On Tuesday January 13^th, join The University of Westminster in London for  Where the Waters Meet  a study day exploring climate change and colonialism. The event co-presented by Inivia (Institute of International Visual Arts) and CREAM (Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media), University of Westminster, as part of the Visualising Contemporary Art Histories project. Focusing on the Global South and underrepresented voices the event is divided into morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session combines screenings of short films each exploring islands, their histories of colonialism, and transformations of the landscapes. The afternoon session will be facilitated through workshops that delve deeper into these themes, led by practitioners whose work and research engages with the links between climate change and colonialism. For more information and to register for the study day visit inivia.org.

                                                                         

The Balloon Museum presents EmotionAir at the Chicago Field Studios to explore how art impacts emotions and vice versa. EmotionAir first debuted in London and transforms art into a mirror that reflects emotions, actions and reactions through inflatable art. The interactive installations, emotional projections, performance art take visitors on a sensory journey. The immersive installation runs through April 6^th, 2026. To purchase tickets go to balloonmuseum.world.
 
The Friends of Cape Florida and Bill Bragg State Park are hosting a stargazing event on Wednesday, January 14^th at 6:45 pm. Guests astronomers Carlos Garcia and Russell Harcha, from Southern Cross Astronomical Society, will be on hand including special equipment to view and photograph the night sky using Astro Photography. Refreshments will be served, but please bring your own cup and a folding chair. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.eventbrite.com.

                                     

All Selena fans to the front for the opening of “Selena: From Texas to the World" on January 15^th at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. The opening of exhibition includes a screening of the Netflix documentary “Selena y Los Dinos” and a panel discussion about the film, Selena’s life and legacy, and the making of the new pop-up exhibit. After the program, attendees will be able to view the exhibit with a reception. For more information go to grammymuseum.org

The Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles is hosting a drive-in movie night screening the classic film Grease on Thursday, January 15^th from 4pm-9:30pm. The screening will take place right next to the ocean and is free. For more information go to santamonicapier.org.

On January 15th at 4pm, co-host of the Breakfast Club Charlamagne Tha God sits down with fashion mogul Steve Madden at Howard University School of Business Auditorium for The Motivation Behind The Brand. The two will talk about building a brand and the lessons Madden learned while at the helm of his iconic brand. Steve Madden shoes were the moment in the early aughts, so this should be a conversation full of gems. For more information go to @hu_brag.

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and UMBC Theatre will present a limited run of Shakespeare in Harlem January 15^th -18^th.  Written by Langston Hughes, Shakespeare in Harlem is a collection of monologue poems that channels the spirit of The Harlem Renaissance. Adapted by Gerrad Alex Taylor into a full-length play, the immersive experience blends poetry, music and dance. For more information and to purchase tickets go to umbc.edu.

                                     

Bumper cars on Ice is officially back in the Winter Village at Bryant Park in NYC. Rides are 10minutes long and are restricted to ages 7 and up. The Bumper cars will be at the Winter Village through February 28^tth.  Tickets are released every two weeks and it’s a perfect way for NYFW attendees to get in touch with their inner child. For more information go to bryantpark.org.
 
A few hours south Virginia Beach Restaurant Week launches January 16^th -25^th Atlantic Park Surf is hosting a taste of Atlantic Park. The tasting is part of a series of events the park is hosting to build community around surf culture in VB and the greater Hampton Roads area. Guests will enjoy signature bites by Nami Nori, Mi Vida, The Grill, Milk & Honey, Aloha Snacks and more. Heated tents, on-site heaters, and firepits keep guests warms while Hookz will provide acoustic sounds for the evening. To purchase tickets go to AtlanticParkSurf.com.

The next morning Atlantic park Surf is hosting a Lagoon Plunge on January 17^th from 10am-1pm. The practice plunge supports the Special Olympics and includes a heated tent, warm drinks by Aloha Snacks and Sea level Event Co. For more information and to register go to AtlanticParkSurf.com.

            

In Washington D.C. on January 16^th from 6:30pm – 11pm join the Martin Luther King Jr. Public Library for the premiere of FREEDOM & RESISTANCE: an exhibition inspired by The 1619 Project. The event features conversations with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, artists from The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience, and NYT Director of Photography Jessica Dimson and much more. The discussion will explore 1619, 1776 and the idea of America during the 250^th Anniversary the United States. For more information and to register for the free event go to dclibrary.org.

                                                           

Tourism in Morocco increased 14% in 2025 with 19.8 million visitors and PUMA is capitalizing on the exposure by opening The PUMA Museum of African Football. The museum opens on Friday, January 16^th and is dedicated to exploring Africa’s rich football history. Opening at Abla Ababou Galerie in Rabat the exhibition is an immersive experience that highlights the icons, storytellers, and unsung heroes that have African football. The museum is open from 3pm -6:30pm and is free. For more information go to @mwnlifestyle.. See more exhibits dedicated to football in Africa here.

Back in Washington DC Black Girl Environmentalist is hosting a river clean up on January 17^th from 9am -11am. In collaboration with the Potomac Conservancy the event brings attention to the 12 million metric tons of plastic that enter the ocean each year.  The clean-up begins at 1500 Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, DC. For more information and to register for the event go to @bgedchub.