Here's how Puget Sound is honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, and it's also the official federal holiday honoring the late civil-rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Communities around Puget Sound are marking the event with a wide variety of observances:

King County Celebration

THU King County celebrates Dr. King's life with "It Started with a Dream ... Many Views, One Vision" with performance by King County MLK Singers, employee humanitarian awards and essay-award winners, noon-1 p.m. today, Benaroya Hall Recital Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; free (206-296-7652 or www.metrokc.gov/exec/mlk/).

Washington State History Museum events, Tacoma

THU-MON Museum open with free admission, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; Martin Luther King Day Celebration with Montgomery Bus Boycott activist and civil-rights pioneer Juanita Jones Abernathy and creation of a mural by artist Eddie Walker, 1-4:30 p.m. Monday; last weekend of Smithsonian Traveling Exhibitioncommemorating the 50th anniversary of Rosa Parks' courage and idealism, today through Monday; showing of the Academy Award-winning short documentary film "Mighty Times: The Children's March," the story of 4,000 black children who participated in civil disobedience as part of the civil-rights movement in 1963, reception 5 p.m., program 5:30 p.m. today, Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; $6-$8 (253-272-3500).

Seattle Community Colleges event at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Seattle

FRI Seattle Community Colleges host keynote speaker King County Executive Ron Sims, remarks by Gov. Chris Gregoire and Mayor Greg Nickels, student recitation of Dr. King's famed "I Have a Dream" speech and the performance gospel choir Royalty, doors open 11 a.m., prelude music 11:30 a.m., event noon-1:30 p.m. Friday, Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1634 19th Ave., Seattle (206-903-3233).

Speaker Tim Wise

FRI National anti-racist writer and activist Tim Wise on "The Many Challenges and Accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr." 7-9 p.m. Friday, The Bush School gym (lower campus), 3400 E. Harrison St., Seattle; free, RSVP required (206-326-7731).

"Let Freedom Ring" play

FRI Bellevue youth play highlighting the struggle for equality in our country, 6 p.m. Friday, Bellevue Youth Theatre, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue; free (425-452-7155).

NPR correspondent speaks

in Lynnwood

FRI Journalist Juan Williams, senior correspondent for National Public Radio and political analyst for Fox News, speaks on "The Changing Face of America: Working Together for the Future," part of Lynnwood's Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, an inclusive celebration of Lynnwood's diversity, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Lynnwood Convention Center, 3819 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood; free, tickets available at the Lynnwood Convention Center, Edmonds Community College or South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce (425-771-4030).

Remembrance Program

in Everett

FRI Keynote speaker Dr. Paul-Elliott Cobbs, music director and conductor of the Everett Symphony, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, Grand Vista ballroom in the Commons at Naval Station Everett, 2000 W. Marine View Drive, Everett; the public is welcome; arrive at the main gate by 12:15 p.m. and ask for the Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Program.

Jazz tribute at Downtown Seattle Library

FRI, SAT Jazz vocalist Mercedes Nicole and band with featured artist Michael Powers perform a celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King with music, video photography, song and dance, 7-9 p.m. Friday, 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Microsoft Auditorium, Downtown Seattle Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle; free (206-386-4636).

Capitol Hill march,

City Year celebrations

FRI, MON City Year Seattle/King County leadership development and community volunteer program leads youth and others on march, 9 a.m. Friday from Meany Middle School, 301 21st Ave. E., Seattle, to event with youth performances and speakers, at Volunteer Park, Seattle; MLK Day ceremony featuring King County Executive Ron Sims, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday, City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave., Seattle; City Year leads students and community volunteers to a "Day On" of community service, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday at various locations, call for information; all events free and open to the public (206-219-4997).

Musical tribute, First United Methodist Church, Seattle

SUN Music and inspiration celebrates the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 3 p.m. Sunday, Seattle First United Methodist Church, 811 Fifth Ave, Seattle; free admission, free will offering requested to benefit Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County (206-329-0300).

"Let Justice Roll Down"

SUN Talk by Nathaniel R. Miles, Northwest regional manager of public affairs of Eli Lilly & Co., and music by the Martin Luther King Celebration Choir, 4 p.m. Sunday, First United Methodist Church, 3530 Colby Ave., Everett.

Workshops, rally and march, Franklin High School

MON "Solidarity for Peace, Human Rights and Economic Justice" workshops including several geared toward youth, topics include educational equality, immigration reform, peace with justice at home and abroad, ending homelessness, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Monday; rally with speakers, poetry and music, 11 a.m.; march to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, noon, followed by second rally, approximately 1 p.m. Monday; events start at Franklin High School, 3013 Mount Baker Boulevard, Seattle (206-812-4940).

Seattle Center musical celebration, speech reading

MON Musical celebration, 11-11:45 a.m., noon-1:45 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. Monday; invocation and reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, 2 p.m. Monday, Center House, Seattle Center, Seattle; free (206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com).

King Holiday Hoopfest

MON High-school basketball tournament; Roosevelt vs. Bainbridge girls, 9:30 a.m.; Bothell vs. Bainbridge boys, 11 a.m.; Garfield vs. Kentwood girls, 12:30 p.m.; Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, 2 p.m.; Garfield vs. Kentwood boys, 2:30 p.m.; O'Dea vs. Lynden, 4:30 p.m.; Franklin vs. Bainbridge boys, 6 p.m.; Kentridge vs. Kings boys, 7:30 p.m. Monday, University of Washington, Seattle; $10/adults, $5/students with ASB cards and ages 55 and older (www.nwbball.com).

Tribute to King, Gandhi and nonviolent principles, Roosevelt District

MON Chants, music and selected readings paying tribute to the lives and principles of peaceful warriors Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi and the principle of nonviolence for which they stood, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-523-3726).

Crossroads Shopping Center

commemoration

MON Entertainment, health-resource fair and children's activities, noon-4 p.m. Monday, Crossroads Shopping Center, 156th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Eighth Street, Bellevue (425-644-1111 or www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/cobcalendar).

Highline College events

MON-JAN. 19 Educational events, programs and activities geared toward examining and celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Highline Community College students, faculty and staff meet to participate in Seattle MLK Celebration, 10 a.m. Monday, MLK Park, 28th Avenue South and South Walker Street, Seattle; lecture-and-discussion events, 10 a.m. and noon Tuesday, 9 and 11 a.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. and noon Jan. 18, 9 and 11 a.m. Jan. 19, Highline Community College, 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines; free (206-878-3710).