The Dream Lives On A guide to Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday events around Intown Bang On

The Alliance will present “Native Guard,” an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of poetry by former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey. This production, which will be held at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, juxtaposes Trethewey’s experiences with her African-American mother and Caucasian father living in 1960s Mississippi with that of the African-American Union troop in the Civil War. The production runs Jan. 13 to Feb. 4. Visit alliancetheatre.org for tickets and information.

Atlanta Symphony groups. “We are able to produce this race every year with a dynamic corps of race day volunteers,” Mannings III stated.

Renowned soprano Kathleen Battle will give a performance of “Kathleen Battle: Underground Railroad – A Spiritual Journey” with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Chelsea Tipton II will lead the celebration of the life and legacy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring the Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs. The event will be held Friday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall in the Woodruff Art Center. Visit atlantasymphony.org for tickets and information.

Swag for the runners/walkers include longsleeved shirts, free professional photography, free ice skating at Park Tavern’s Southwest Rink and other goodies.

Mannings III, a Morehouse College graduate who grew up in Birmingham, Alabama with a family deeply involved in the civil rights movement, expanded the MLK Day 5K Drum Run to his hometown last year.

“I felt honored to bring the race to Birmingham’s historic Civil Rights District,” Mannings III said. “It’s the first race of the year in Birmingham, bringing together diverse participants and providing resources to local school bands and community organizations.”

The race now has a good foothold in two Southern cities.

“In the spirit of this holiday, we’re building a legacy within our beloved communities to inspire people through fitness and fellowship. Chip and I are a product of the dream Dr. King envisioned,” Mannings III said.

For more information, visit MLKDay5K. org.

The City of Atlanta, in partnership with the PATH Foundation, Turner, The Coca-Cola Company and Georgia Institute of Technology, has opened the PATH Parkway at Georgia Tech.

The 1.5-mile path separates cyclists and walkers from vehicles and connects West Midtown to Georgia Tech, The Coca-Cola Company Atlanta Office Complex and Downtown.

“Mayor Reed set the goal to make Atlanta the most bikeable and walkable city in the Southeast,” said Dan Gordon, Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta. “The completion of PATH Parkway at Georgia Tech brings us one step closer to that goal and represents the kind of connectivity that benefits a world-class city like Atlanta. I want to thank all of the organizations that have made this project a reality.”

Tim Keane, Commissioner of the Department of City Planning, said the goal is to connect the people of Atlanta to the city in the most safe, convenient and fun ways.

“PATH Parkway represents how the connections we make through infrastructure enhance how people experience their community, providing them the opportunity to explore the many ways the city continues to grow.”

The city has also installed four Relay bike share stations along the 1.5-mile path to complement the infrastructure and provide people better access to bikes.