Martin Luther King Day is quickly approaching, which means many places have begun planning their holiday festivities. For instance, the Milwaukee Public Library yesterday announced a day full of art and activities on Monday, Jan. 19 for its Martin Luther King branch, located at 310 W. Locust St. 

The day's events begin at 9:30 a.m. with free blood pressure screenings provided by nurses from the Columbia College of Nursing. The screenings will continue until 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, at 10 a.m., Milwaukee artist Fatima Laster from FKL Visual Arts and members of the library's Teen Advisory Board will lead attendees in making a community mural painting. Mayor Tom Barrett is scheduled to join in the mural-making at 10:30 a.m.

Later on in the afternoon, there will be an Imani Dancers hip hop presentation performed by Martin Luther King Elementary School's African American Immersion Program, as well as a performance by the African American Children's Theatre of the first act of "Milwaukee Heroes" and monologues about Dr. King. 

The days's festivities will conclude with the Larry Moore Trio performing live music of the Civil Rights Movement starting at 2 p.m. and a spoken word poetry slam beginning at 3:30 p.m.

All of the library's events and programs are free and open to the public.