Chanukah or Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the recovery of Jerusalem in the second century BC and is observed for eight nights and days.
Kwanzaa, meaning "first fruits" in Swahili, is a weeklong African American and Pan African holiday that combines aspects of several harvest traditions such as Ashanti and Zulu and is celebrated through singing and dancing, drums, storytelling, poetry recitation and a traditional meal.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Yule is a winter festival celebrated among Wiccan and Pagan communities that shares a root with the Christmas festival. It is winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, a time to meditate on the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Chanukah or Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the recovery of Jerusalem in the second century BC and is observed for eight nights and days.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
As Eastern Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar, which has a 13-day difference with the Gregorian (Western) calendar used by Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians, their Christmas falls on January 7th of the Gregorian calendar instead of on December 25th.
Approximately 12% of the world’s Christians, estimated to be around 250 to 300 million people living mostly in eastern and southeastern Europe including Russia and Ukraine, the Middle East, and Ethiopia, observe the Orthodox Christmas. Orthodox Christians celebrate the day by attending Church services on Christmas eve and on Christmas day and often by fasting for 40 days before Christmas Day. They greet each other with by saying “Merry Christmas” or sometimes “Christ is born”. Some Orthodox Christians observe the day on January 6.
Learning Resources
You can learn more about the history of the day and its observance in the following resources:
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Make the most of the long holiday weekend on the slopes! We’re extending our hours and adding special events to make your ski weekend unforgettable.
Extended Hours Lifts will be spinning Thursday through Monday from 9am-4pm, giving you plenty of time to ski, ride and explore. Plus our tubing park will be open Saturday through Monday 12pm-4pm!
Special Deals L.L.Bean Days (Thursday & Friday) Lift tickets: $30 Uphill tickets: $5 Nordic skiing & snowshoeing: FREE (snowshoe tickets include snowshoes and poles - limited equipment available)
Blackout Deal Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for $40! Simply present your blacked out pass at our ticket window!
Friday Night Snowmobile Hillclimb! Gates open at 4pm & the race begins at 6pm. The Last Run Pub & Café will be open & spectators are welcome. Get all the details.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday Lift tickets: $60 Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for just $40! Present your blacked-out pass at the ticket window to redeem this offer.
Live Music All Weekend
Kick back and relax after a day on the slopes with live music in the Last Run Pub. Saturday from 2pm-5pm it’s the Swift River Drifters as Kitty, JT & Bryon Glaus team up with their lively mix of genres, from classic rock to funky grooves. All ages. No cover charge. Sunday enjoy the smooth guitar sounds of Andrew Arsenault from 1pm-4pm.
Saturday Night 8pm-11pm the boys from Buckfield are back! Rock out to the funky sounds from SKOSH, the jam band that delivers high-energy entertainment. Sponsored by Bissell Brothers. $5 cover charge. This show is ages 21+.
There’s no better way to spend the long weekend, on the slopes, enjoying great deals on skiing and snowboarding and soaking in live music. Don’t miss out!
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Make the most of the long holiday weekend on the slopes! We’re extending our hours and adding special events to make your ski weekend unforgettable.
Extended Hours Lifts will be spinning Thursday through Monday from 9am-4pm, giving you plenty of time to ski, ride and explore. Plus our tubing park will be open Saturday through Monday 12pm-4pm!
Special Deals L.L.Bean Days (Thursday & Friday) Lift tickets: $30 Uphill tickets: $5 Nordic skiing & snowshoeing: FREE (snowshoe tickets include snowshoes and poles - limited equipment available)
Blackout Deal Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for $40! Simply present your blacked out pass at our ticket window!
Friday Night Snowmobile Hillclimb! Gates open at 4pm & the race begins at 6pm. The Last Run Pub & Café will be open & spectators are welcome. Get all the details.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday Lift tickets: $60 Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for just $40! Present your blacked-out pass at the ticket window to redeem this offer.
Live Music All Weekend
Kick back and relax after a day on the slopes with live music in the Last Run Pub. Saturday from 2pm-5pm it’s the Swift River Drifters as Kitty, JT & Bryon Glaus team up with their lively mix of genres, from classic rock to funky grooves. All ages. No cover charge. Sunday enjoy the smooth guitar sounds of Andrew Arsenault from 1pm-4pm.
Saturday Night 8pm-11pm the boys from Buckfield are back! Rock out to the funky sounds from SKOSH, the jam band that delivers high-energy entertainment. Sponsored by Bissell Brothers. $5 cover charge. This show is ages 21+.
There’s no better way to spend the long weekend, on the slopes, enjoying great deals on skiing and snowboarding and soaking in live music. Don’t miss out!
Spring Book Discussion: American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience
Spring Book Discussion: American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience
January 17, 20259:00 am - 10:00 am
Citl & office of international programs Joint book discussion
Building off of our joint book discussion on the experiences of international students in the US, the Office of International Programs and CITL will co-host a book discussion on the experiences of refugees and refugee students in the US with the reading and discussion of American Refuge: True stories of the Refugee Experience* by Dr. Diya Abdo.
Refugee students bring with them a unique set of experiences and perspectives when they join our communities. The aim of this discussion will be to gain a better understanding of the lived experiences of refugee students in order to better support them in the classroom and in community broadly.
*This book discusses experiences of trauma and may be triggering for some readers.
Three Fridays: January 17th, January 31st and February 7th
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am – light refreshments will be provided.
Meeting: In-person at Fernald Hall, Room 102 (hybrid option if required)
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine 250 Thompsons Point Rd Portland, ME, 04102United States (map)
Martin Luther King Day Weekend: A Celebration of Black Arts and Expression
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Children's Museum & Theatre is hosting programs throughout the weekend of January 18th and on Monday January 20th. Programs celebrate Black artists and stories through collaborative poem creation and art exploration. Check the chalkboard upon arrival for a full list of times and offerings.
Saturday, January 18
10 am-11:30 am: Black is a Rainbow Color (MakerSpace)
Head to MakerSpace to get inspired by the music behind Angela Joy’s Black is a Rainbow Color. Makers will create mixed-media, music-inspired collages influenced by the book’s illustrator – Ekua Holmes – all while jamming out to the author’s playlist!
10:30 am: Poem of Courage (Learning Hub)
A poetic and artistic program celebrating the themes of the book When I Get Older by K’Naan. Create an illustrated poem of courage with your community using a variety of materials in a collaborative setting.
2 pm-3:30 pm: Black is a Rainbow Color (MakerSpace)
Head to MakerSpace to get inspired by the music behind Angela Joy’s Black is a Rainbow Color. Makers will create mixed-media, music-inspired collages influenced by the book’s illustrator – Ekua Holmes – all while jamming out to the author’s playlist!
Make the most of the long holiday weekend on the slopes! We’re extending our hours and adding special events to make your ski weekend unforgettable.
Extended Hours Lifts will be spinning Thursday through Monday from 9am-4pm, giving you plenty of time to ski, ride and explore. Plus our tubing park will be open Saturday through Monday 12pm-4pm!
Special Deals L.L.Bean Days (Thursday & Friday) Lift tickets: $30 Uphill tickets: $5 Nordic skiing & snowshoeing: FREE (snowshoe tickets include snowshoes and poles - limited equipment available)
Blackout Deal Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for $40! Simply present your blacked out pass at our ticket window!
Friday Night Snowmobile Hillclimb! Gates open at 4pm & the race begins at 6pm. The Last Run Pub & Café will be open & spectators are welcome. Get all the details.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday Lift tickets: $60 Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for just $40! Present your blacked-out pass at the ticket window to redeem this offer.
Live Music All Weekend
Kick back and relax after a day on the slopes with live music in the Last Run Pub. Saturday from 2pm-5pm it’s the Swift River Drifters as Kitty, JT & Bryon Glaus team up with their lively mix of genres, from classic rock to funky grooves. All ages. No cover charge. Sunday enjoy the smooth guitar sounds of Andrew Arsenault from 1pm-4pm.
Saturday Night 8pm-11pm the boys from Buckfield are back! Rock out to the funky sounds from SKOSH, the jam band that delivers high-energy entertainment. Sponsored by Bissell Brothers. $5 cover charge. This show is ages 21+.
There’s no better way to spend the long weekend, on the slopes, enjoying great deals on skiing and snowboarding and soaking in live music. Don’t miss out!
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine250 Thompsons Point RdPortland, ME, 04102United States (map)
Martin Luther King Day Weekend: A Celebration of Black Arts and Expression
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Children's Museum & Theatre is hosting programs throughout the weekend of January 18th and on Monday January 20th. Programs celebrate Black artists and stories through collaborative poem creation and art exploration. Check the chalkboard upon arrival for a full list of times and offerings.
Sunday, January 19
10 am -11 am: Black is a Rainbow Color (MakerSpace)
Head to MakerSpace to get inspired by the music behind Angela Joy’s Black is a Rainbow Color. Makers will create mixed-media, music-inspired collages influenced by the book’s illustrator – Ekua Holmes – all while jamming out to the author’s playlist!
Paint a poem! Collaborate on a large-scale canvas mural to create a garden of words and images that give us hope. This program is inspired by Something, Someday, by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Chrisitan Robinson.
11 am: Martin Luther King Day Weekend: A Celebration of Black Arts and Expression featuring special guest Atiim Chenzira Book Reading (Maddy’s Theatre, 1st Floor)
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Children's Museum & Theatre is celebrating Black artists and stories. Today, guest reader Atiim Chenzira will share stories in Maddy's Theatre. Atiim is a local musician, spoken word poet, and community activist. He often lends his lyrical storytelling during the annual Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival at CMTM every fall.
2:30 pm -3:30 pm: Black is a Rainbow Color (MakerSpace, 2nd Floor)
Head to MakerSpace to get inspired by the music behind Angela Joy’s Black is a Rainbow Color. Makers will create mixed-media, music-inspired collages influenced by the book’s illustrator – Ekua Holmes – all while jamming out to the author’s playlist!
Make the most of the long holiday weekend on the slopes! We’re extending our hours and adding special events to make your ski weekend unforgettable.
Extended Hours Lifts will be spinning Thursday through Monday from 9am-4pm, giving you plenty of time to ski, ride and explore. Plus our tubing park will be open Saturday through Monday 12pm-4pm!
Special Deals L.L.Bean Days (Thursday & Friday) Lift tickets: $30 Uphill tickets: $5 Nordic skiing & snowshoeing: FREE (snowshoe tickets include snowshoes and poles - limited equipment available)
Blackout Deal Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for $40! Simply present your blacked out pass at our ticket window!
Friday Night Snowmobile Hillclimb! Gates open at 4pm & the race begins at 6pm. The Last Run Pub & Café will be open & spectators are welcome. Get all the details.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday Lift tickets: $60 Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for just $40! Present your blacked-out pass at the ticket window to redeem this offer.
Live Music All Weekend
Kick back and relax after a day on the slopes with live music in the Last Run Pub. Saturday from 2pm-5pm it’s the Swift River Drifters as Kitty, JT & Bryon Glaus team up with their lively mix of genres, from classic rock to funky grooves. All ages. No cover charge. Sunday enjoy the smooth guitar sounds of Andrew Arsenault from 1pm-4pm.
Saturday Night 8pm-11pm the boys from Buckfield are back! Rock out to the funky sounds from SKOSH, the jam band that delivers high-energy entertainment. Sponsored by Bissell Brothers. $5 cover charge. This show is ages 21+.
There’s no better way to spend the long weekend, on the slopes, enjoying great deals on skiing and snowboarding and soaking in live music. Don’t miss out!
On the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 2pm, there is a Juneteenth Downeast Bipoc get together on Zoom! The BIPOC community of Maine is invited to their Zoom Get Togethers.
Join them Sunday at 2:00pm on Zoom. Use the link below:
In the 1970s, a group of dreamers embarked on a utopian experiment, giving birth to Neve Shalom — a village envisioned as a model of harmonious coexistence between Arabs and Jews. Despite these noble aspirations, the community found itself entangled in internal conflicts and beset by external challenges that put their revolutionary vision to the test.
This documentary, a groundbreaking exploration, delves into the experiences of the children who came of age in this extraordinary setting. Now adults, they grapple with the harsh realities of political turmoil, war, and societal segregation. Through their personal stories, Children of Peaceseeks to scrutinize whether Neve Shalom indeed offered a genuine opportunity for peaceful coexistence or if it was, ultimately, nothing more than a social experiment.
January 19, 20257:00 pm - 8:00 pm Bates College, 2 Andrews Rd, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA
MLK Day @ Bates: MLK Day Spoken Word Festival
Sunday, January 19, 2025, 7–8pm
Presentation: The Multifaith Chaplaincy celebrates the voices that propelled the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with performances from poets, spoken word artists, and musicians.
The second annual MLK Day Spoken Word festival brings together powerful poetry and soulful song around the theme “Bending Toward Justice: Peace and Nonviolence.” Featured artists for the evening are acclaimed poet and co-executive director of Maine Inside Out, Joseph Jackson, and beloved singer Kenya Hall whom Rolling Stone dubbed a “soul powerhouse.” Students Misaki Fukushima ’25, Ahmednoor Hassan ’27, Bora Lugunda ’25, and Oleksii Sverbyvus ’28 will also perform pieces at the festival.
An American Baptist minister, civil rights leader, and Nobel Peace Price laureate, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968 at the age of 39 after delivering his last speech in Memphis, Tennessee. This is the first U.S. holiday to honor and African American, usually celebrated on the third Monday of every January.
Museums, Books, and Further Learning Opportunities
For more information on the day’s history, read about the life and work of Dr. King at the Atlanta-based The King Center. If you want to take action, support the African American community and the ongoing cause of racial justice.
To contribute to the spirit of the only federal holiday nominated as a National Day of Service, find and participate in volunteer opportunities around you.
If you want to know more and learn the history of racial discrimination in the United States, add an anti-racist reading list to your New Year’s resolutions. You can either read the books for free through the UMA library or The Internet Archive or if you are able, support the authors by purchasing their books.
Teaching Resources about the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lessons and resources about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement beyond “I have a dream.”
Virtual Martin Luther King, Jr. Project offers beginner-level students experience with a historic speech and introduces them to the concept of being in dialogue with a text through the re-envisioning and re-enactment of a speech. Dr. Elizabeth Nelson first developed this set of pedagogical tools at North Carolina State University.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
January 20, 20258:30 am - 11:00 am Wells Conference Center, Orono, ME 04473, USA
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
Date: January 20th, 8:30 - 11:00am
Greater Bangor Area Branch NAACP will be hosting the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration on Monday, January 20 (snow date Saturday, January 25) at the Wells Conference Center in Orono. Doors open at 8 AM, and the program begins at 8:30 AM.
Abdi Nor Iftin, author of Call Me American: A Memoir, will be the keynote speaker. Juneteenth Downeast has some seats available at the table we're sponsoring, so if you'd like to go just reply to this email and we'll get your situated.
Otherwise, tickets are $25, with scholarships available; full tables with eight seats are $200. To apply for a scholarship please contact bangornaacp@gmail.com
January 20, 20259:00 am - 3:00 pm 11 Green St, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA
MLK Day Camp w/ Coach D & Coach Jake
Join us for MLK Day Camp with Coach D & Coach Jake on January 20th from 9am-3pm! 🏀
📍 Location: St. James Gym - 11 Green Street, Biddeford ME
** LUNCH NOT PROVIDED **
✨ Calling all elementary students (2rd-5th grade) and middle/high school students (6th-12th grade) to come and join the fun!
🏀 Get ready for an action-packed day filled with exciting games, shooting practice, ball handling drills, speed and agility training, and conditioning exercises.
🌟 Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to improve your basketball skills while celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
🎉 Sign up now and secure your spot! Limited spots available.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend: A Celebration of Black Arts and Expression
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend: A Celebration of Black Arts and Expression
January 20, 20259:00 am - 4:00 pm Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, 250 Thompsons Point Rd, Portland, ME 04102, USA
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend: A Celebration of Black Arts and Expression
Monday, January 20, 2025
9:00 AM 4:00 PM
The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine250 Thompsons Point RdPortland, ME, 04102United States (map)
Martin Luther King Day Weekend: A Celebration of Black Arts and Expression
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Children's Museum & Theatre is hosting programs throughout the weekend of January 18th and on Monday January 20th. Programs celebrate Black artists and stories through collaborative poem creation and art exploration. Check the chalkboard upon arrival for a full list of times and offerings.
10 am - 11 am : Martin Luther King Day Weekend: A Celebration of Black Arts and Expression featuring Printmaking with Jordan Park (Makerspace, 2nd Floor)
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Children's Museum & Theatre is celebrating Black artists and stories. Today, guest artist Jordan Parks will be hosting printmaking in MakerSpace.
Jordan Kendall Parks (she/they) is a Black bi-racial femme who lives and works in South Portland, Maine. Jordan uses art to spark conversations around place, existence, and belonging. Her work is heavily influenced by our relationship with the natural world and each other, and they focus on cultivating interactive outdoor exhibitions that encourage people to engage with their surroundings, find a sense of adventure, and discover art along the way.
Paint a poem! Collaborate on a large-scale canvas mural to create a garden of words and images that give us hope. This program is inspired by Something, Someday, by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Chrisitan Robinson.
2:30 pm --3:30 pm: Black is A Rainbow Color (MakerSpace, 2nd Floor)
Head to MakerSpace to get inspired by the music behind Angela Joy’s Black is a Rainbow Color. Makers will create mixed-media, music-inspired collages influenced by the book’s illustrator – Ekua Holmes – all while jamming out to the author’s playlist!
Make the most of the long holiday weekend on the slopes! We’re extending our hours and adding special events to make your ski weekend unforgettable.
Extended Hours Lifts will be spinning Thursday through Monday from 9am-4pm, giving you plenty of time to ski, ride and explore. Plus our tubing park will be open Saturday through Monday 12pm-4pm!
Special Deals L.L.Bean Days (Thursday & Friday) Lift tickets: $30 Uphill tickets: $5 Nordic skiing & snowshoeing: FREE (snowshoe tickets include snowshoes and poles - limited equipment available)
Blackout Deal Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for $40! Simply present your blacked out pass at our ticket window!
Friday Night Snowmobile Hillclimb! Gates open at 4pm & the race begins at 6pm. The Last Run Pub & Café will be open & spectators are welcome. Get all the details.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday Lift tickets: $60 Blacked out at your home mountain? Ski with us for just $40! Present your blacked-out pass at the ticket window to redeem this offer.
Live Music All Weekend
Kick back and relax after a day on the slopes with live music in the Last Run Pub. Saturday from 2pm-5pm it’s the Swift River Drifters as Kitty, JT & Bryon Glaus team up with their lively mix of genres, from classic rock to funky grooves. All ages. No cover charge. Sunday enjoy the smooth guitar sounds of Andrew Arsenault from 1pm-4pm.
Saturday Night 8pm-11pm the boys from Buckfield are back! Rock out to the funky sounds from SKOSH, the jam band that delivers high-energy entertainment. Sponsored by Bissell Brothers. $5 cover charge. This show is ages 21+.
There’s no better way to spend the long weekend, on the slopes, enjoying great deals on skiing and snowboarding and soaking in live music. Don’t miss out!
A Day of Creativity, Kindness, and Community Impact!
Join us for a special MLK Day camp where creativity meets kindness! In this one-of-a-kind camp experience, your baker will have the opportunity to make delicious treats, create meaningful art kits, and give back to the community—all while having a blast!
Camp Highlights:
Bake for a Cause: Bakers will get their hands into the dough, baking delicious pastries to take home and share with their friends and families. These sweet creations will also be featured in a bake sale at the MePowered Pastries studio the week following camp to raise money for Maine Needs.
Create Art Kits for Maine Needs: In the spirit of Dr. King’s commitment to service, campers will assemble art kits to donate to those in need. Maine Needs distributes these to kids in our community and sends out many heading into February break. The kits will help bring joy and creativity to others in our community.
Dance Break at Salt Flat: After some fun-filled baking and crafting, campers will take a break and get moving with an energizing dance session at Salt Flat—an hour of dance to stretch and refresh before returning to the camp activities.
Donation Drive: During this day of activities we will be hosting a donation drive for Maine Needs. They are in particular need kids waterproof gloves, kids new underwear, and new or in good condition used children's boots/shoes (links to purchase these will be added as we get closer to the event). Drop these off when you drop off or pick up your kid and encourage your friends and families to do as well.
Take Home Treats & Good Vibes: By the end of the day, campers will take home a bundle of their own homemade treats and a sense of accomplishment, knowing that they’ve made a difference by helping others.
Join us for a day full of kindness, creativity, and community spirit as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and give back to those in need. We can’t wait to bake, create, and dance with your child!
Important Notes:
Campers will need to bring their own lunch. Snacks will be provided but you are also welcome to bring your own!
The camp will run on MLK Day, Monday, January, 20th
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Ages: This class is for ages 5 and up.
Location: 174 US-1, Scarborough Maine
Cost: $135 (this cost includes supplies we will need to make art kits. Any extra will be donated)
Class price includes all ingredients and materials for one kid. We do our best to accommodate kid food allergies and sensitivities. Leave a note at checkout and we will work with you to make sure your kid is able to bake something that works for them.
January 20, 202510:45 am - 1:00 pm Bates College, 2 Andrews Rd, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA
MLK Day @ Bates: Dream Big with the Bobcats
January 20, 10:45am–1pm
Dream Big with the Bobcats
Bates student-athletes will host a community day for local youth in grades 1–6. The event will start with a brief discussion about the legacy of MLK followed by reading, coloring, an optional fun run, walk, or roll, and pizza and refreshments.
Sponsors: Department of Athletics, Athletics Committee, Athletics Equity and Inclusion Council, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Harward Center for Community Partnerships, and the Athletics Committee of Bates Student Government
MLK Day @ Bates: MLK Day Workshop series and evening performance
MLK Day @ Bates: MLK Day Workshop series and evening performance
January 20, 202510:45 am - 8:00 pm Bates College, 2 Andrews Rd, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA
The unique circumstances surrounding MLK Day in 1991 influenced the distinctive character of Bates' contemporary MLK Day observance: in lieu of classes, a day of discussions, presentations, screenings, and workshops, featuring a morning keynote address.
Check out the workshops, screenings, and evening performances planned at Bates College for MLK Day 2025.
Committed to Listen: Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025
Committed to Listen: Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025
January 20, 202512:00 pm - 1:00 pm HopeGateWay, 515 Woodford St, Portland, ME 04103, USA
Committed to Listen: Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025
An in-person performance of “The Malaga Ship: A Story of Maine and the Middle Passage” by Antonio Rocha
Monday, January 20, 2025 12 pm (Eastern)
In person at HopeGateWay Church 515 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine
Tickets are free and should be reserved in advance as space is limited. Donations will be gratefully received to support the work of the Maine Council of Churches.
To observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025, the Maine Council of Churches, The BTS Center, and Atlantic Black Box are collaborating to host a public, in-person, mid-day performance of Antonio Rocha’s solo show, “The Malaga Ship: A story of Maine and the Middle Passage.”
The Malaga was a 183-ton brig built in 1832 in Brunswick Maine, in a shipyard owned by Joseph Badger. The ship eventually found herself as part of the already illegal transatlantic trade of African captives to the Americas, especially Brazil.
“The Malaga Ship” is a tour de force performance. Using his entire body and voice, performing artist Antonio Rocha sings, narrates, and mimes his way through this poetically toned historical tale told mostly from the perspective of the ship. The story vividly explores the reality and impact of the slave industry — the largest industry in the world in the 1800s. The story also has deep meaning for the performer, since Malaga goes to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1845, where Rocha was raised in a biracial household over a century later.
“I could not believe the coincidences between the ship and myself,” Rocha says. “She was built in Maine and went to Brazil to bring to my home country part of my ancestry. I was born in Brazil and came to Maine where I learned to be a storyteller. The more I read about Malaga, the more I realized I was born to tell her story.”
The gathering will include music, the 45-minute performance, conversation with the actor, and space for reflection and sharing.
HopeGateWay Church is located at 515 Woodford Street in Portland, Maine.
January 20, 20255:00 pm - 8:00 pm Volta Climbing and Fitness, 8 Road Not Taken, Trenton, ME 04605, USA
Bipoc Climbing Night!
Date: January 20th 5:00 to 8:00pm
Calling all BIPOC climbers!
Juneteenth Downeast is going to be at Volta Climbing on Monday JANUARY 20th, from 5:00 to 8:00pm.
Whether you're a seasoned climber or just starting out, all are welcome!
What to expect: This is a casual meetup to hang out and climb. The event will be BIPOC-led and facilitators will be available throughout the night. Folks will have access to staff members to help with top ropes, climbing safety, belaying or beta.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
January 23, 202512:00 pm - 1:00 pm Student Lounge, Randall Student Center
Join Dylan Sullivan, UMA's Neurodiversity Liaison and other students at the Neurodiversity Social Table for lunch. All are welcome. Bring your lunch to the neurodiversity social table every Wednesday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm in the Augusta Randall Student Center Student Lounge.
This event is open to anyone who wants to attend (all students, faculty, staff, and the general public).
FMI: Dylan Sullivan, Neurodiversity Liaison and Student Success Specialist, dylan.sullivan@maine.edu
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Spring Book Discussion: American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience
Spring Book Discussion: American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience
January 24, 20259:00 am - 10:00 am
Citl & office of international programs Joint book discussion
Building off of our joint book discussion on the experiences of international students in the US, the Office of International Programs and CITL will co-host a book discussion on the experiences of refugees and refugee students in the US with the reading and discussion of American Refuge: True stories of the Refugee Experience* by Dr. Diya Abdo.
Refugee students bring with them a unique set of experiences and perspectives when they join our communities. The aim of this discussion will be to gain a better understanding of the lived experiences of refugee students in order to better support them in the classroom and in community broadly.
*This book discusses experiences of trauma and may be triggering for some readers.
Three Fridays: January 17th, January 31st and February 7th
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am – light refreshments will be provided.
Meeting: In-person at Fernald Hall, Room 102 (hybrid option if required)
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
The United National International Holocaust Commemoration Day remembers the 1945 liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp. The day honors the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust along with the more than ten million other victims including minorities like Roma and Sinti, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people. Commemoration activities encourage steps to prevent future genocides.
Visit the Holocaust and Human Rights Center located on our campus, attend their events, donate, utilize their anti-bias toolkit in your teaching, and enroll in their summer seminars to educate yourself and others regarding the Holocaust and other histories of human rights violence and start working against the spread of bias, hatred, and prejudice against all.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Lunar New Year festival starts on the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon of the lunar calendar in Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Korea, and Tibet. It usually falls anywhere between January 21 and February 20 of the Gregorian/Western calendar from year to year.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
January 30, 202512:00 pm - 1:00 pm University Maine Augusta Saco Center, 4 Scamman St Ste 18, Saco, ME 04072, USA
Chinese New Year is on January 29th, 2025. This year at the UMA Saco Center, our UMA student Yiyang (Joyce) Jiang will be teaching us how to make dumplings the traditional way on Thursday, January 30th at 12 Noon until 1pm.
January 30, 202512:00 pm - 1:00 pm Student Lounge, Randall Student Center
Join Dylan Sullivan, UMA's Neurodiversity Liaison and other students at the Neurodiversity Social Table for lunch. All are welcome. Bring your lunch to the neurodiversity social table every Wednesday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm in the Augusta Randall Student Center Student Lounge.
This event is open to anyone who wants to attend (all students, faculty, staff, and the general public).
FMI: Dylan Sullivan, Neurodiversity Liaison and Student Success Specialist, dylan.sullivan@maine.edu
Poverty Awareness Month became formally recognized by Congress in 2009 when poverty in America was rising rapidly. Poverty only began being assessed in the U.S. in the early 1960s. National Poverty Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties faced by many who struggle daily to survive and provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Spring Book Discussion: American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience
Spring Book Discussion: American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience
January 31, 20259:00 am - 10:00 am
Citl & office of international programs Joint book discussion
Building off of our joint book discussion on the experiences of international students in the US, the Office of International Programs and CITL will co-host a book discussion on the experiences of refugees and refugee students in the US with the reading and discussion of American Refuge: True stories of the Refugee Experience* by Dr. Diya Abdo.
Refugee students bring with them a unique set of experiences and perspectives when they join our communities. The aim of this discussion will be to gain a better understanding of the lived experiences of refugee students in order to better support them in the classroom and in community broadly.
*This book discusses experiences of trauma and may be triggering for some readers.
Three Fridays: January 17th, January 31st and February 7th
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am – light refreshments will be provided.
Meeting: In-person at Fernald Hall, Room 102 (hybrid option if required)
As part of the Fostering Inclusion objectives of its 2021-25 Strategic Plan to create a more inclusive and equitable educational environment, the University of Maine at Augusta has taken the initiative to introduce a dynamic Heritage Month Calendar. This calendar showcases various days of importance across cultural and religious traditions, provides additional resources for community members to learn about one another’s heritage, and shares ongoing online and in-person events at the university, local, and state level that anyone can participate in.
The goals of this calendar include:
giving institutional recognition to the value each member of the university community adds to the institution
highlighting the rich tradition and history of various demographics marginalized based on economic, ethnic, gender, national, religious, sexual, and other identities and abilities
emphasizing the central and essential role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in any pedagogical project
helping schedule university events and classroom instructions mindful of the needs of everyone
highlighting which identity groups might be in need of greater efforts to be included in the community through more inclusive event planning and institutional efforts
The calendar, featuring 91 holidays at present, is not meant to be comprehensive, and members of the university community are encouraged to utilize the submission form at the bottom of this page to suggest ongoing events pertaining to the different holiday traditions featured in the calendar as well as contribute information about holidays that are currently not included. The learning resources provided with each holiday are chosen based on the renown and potential reliability of a source and should not be considered as endorsements from UMA.
Consider submitting holidays currently not featured here or submit upcoming or past events at UMA, in Augusta, or in Maine pertaining to specific holidays that you want to see reflected on the Heritage Month Calendar.
Don’t miss out on upcoming events. Subscribe to the calendar and access it easily from the convenience of your computer, tablet, or mobile device.
