Throughout this week (2/19–2/26), activists have the opportunity to participate in performances, workshops and public talks. Read on if you want to get involved in the community regarding reproductive rights, environmental activism and anti-racist work.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
MLK: Celebrating His Legacy in Spoken Word and Song
@ 7:30–9:30 p.m.
VPA Theater – Booker High School – 3201 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Fla.
Engage with the influential legacy and history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s “MLK: Celebrating His Legacy in Spoken Word and Song” performance event. This production will feature reenactments of Dr. King’s speeches and writings, original song and dance performances by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe members and the announcement and author presentation of the winning work from Booker High School’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. This event is $15 for general admission, $35 for premium seating and $5 for student admission and is open to the public.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Planned Parenthood Sarasota Letter to the Editor Workshop
@ 6–7:30 p.m.
Planned Parenthood of Southwest & Central Florida – 736 Central Avenue, Sarasota, Fla.
Learn how to actively participate in the process surrounding local news and legislation at Planned Parenthood of Southwest & Central Florida’s Letter to the Editor Workshop. This workshop in particular will center around SB 404, a harmful bill targeting reproductive rights that recently passed in the Florida Senate, and will teach attendees how to contact the Senators involved and hold them accountable for their actions. This event is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Feb. 20
A Talk with Professor Harvey J. Kaye on American Social Democracy
@ 5–7 p.m.
ACE 239 – New College of Florida – 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, Fla.
Join writer and historian Harvey J. Kaye for his talk on the future of American democracy during this presentation and discussion of Kaye’s new book, “Take Hold of Our History: Make America Radical Again.” Kaye is a professor of democracy and justice studies and teaches courses on history, politics and society at University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. This talk, which is a collaboration between New College’s Economics, History and Political Science departments and NCF Democracy matters, is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Author Ed Fallon Talks About the Great March for Climate Action
@ 6–7 p.m.
Selby Public Library – 1331 1st Street, Sarasota, Fla.
Participate in the discussion surrounding the climate crisis as author, former Iowa legislator and climate activist Ed Fallon’s talk on the story behind his recent book, Marcher, Marcher, Pilgrim, and how his participation in the 2014 Great March for Climate Action changed his life. Fallon will be discussing the importance of developing local strategies for global climate issues, the work he and his partner Kathy Brynes do as urban farmers in Iowa and the ways in which he and local Iowans have pressured both Democratic presidential candidates and mass media to focus more on climate change. This event is free and open to the public.
Monday. Feb. 24
Personal Responsibility for Communal Transformation
@ 7–8 p.m.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church – 790 South Tamiami Trail, Venice, Fla.
As a part of Venice Interfaith’s second annual American Racism event series, Reverend Darlene Garner’s “Personal Responsibility for Communal Transformation” talk will focus on institutional racism and what individuals can do to actively work against systematic acts of injustice in their own lives and communities. The Venice Interfaith Community Association was born in 2004 out of a need to properly serve the growing and increasingly more diverse population of Christians in the Venice area, and centers the belief that respectful connection between members of local faith-based organizations can be powerful and transformative. This talk is free and open to the public, as are all of Venice Interfaith’s events.