FREE EVENTS ALL DAY AT THE ALLUVION & COMMONGROUNDS
All ages welcome - See a detailed schedule below
Building Bridges with Music sponsors Traverse City’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2026.
All events and activities are inside the Commongrounds Building and The Alluvion.
This year’s poetry theme highlights Building Bridges with Music’s recent program development that includes free poetry workshops for Northern Michigan students. The day’s events will feature student poetry, both written and performed, and the FREE ticketed evening program will feature Jessica Care Moore, multi-award-winning poet, activist, and Michigan’s Poet Laureate.
Enjoy live music and spontaneous performances curated by Building Bridges with Music: Local student artists will create and exhibit works inspired by the day’s theme and the pillars of Dr. King’s teachings. Featured Collaborative TCAPS Student Arts/Poetry project: “Connected Voices, Collective Voices” compassion, peace, understanding, empathy, and love—values central to Dr. King’s vision and to the work of Building Bridges with Music
SCHEDULE
Non-ticketed, free art & music from Jimmy Olson, Joe Wilson, and Kevin LaRose throughout the Commongrounds Building and The Alluvion all day.
10:00 - 11:00 AM — “Mindful & Musical with Miriam Pico”
In The Alluvion on floor two. A playful and reflective session for Pre-K and young children, exploring music, rhythm, and emotional awareness through the lens of Dr. King’s powerful words
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM — Community Artmaking with Laura Adams
Hands-on arts projects in The Hive (2nd Floor lobby of Commongrounds). All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate.
12:00 - 2:00 PM — FREE COMMUNITY LUNCH
A shared meal offered with the help of volunteers from Pathfinder School to nurture connection, conversation, and community. Food located on the first floor of Commongrounds. Enjoy your meal throughout the building, or inside The Alluvion to a live solo performance from Jimmy Olson.
2:00 - 4:00 PM —Youth Poetry Slam:
“Where We Were, Where We Are, Where We’re Going”
In The Alluvion on floor two. Nationally acclaimed Detroit spoken word poets-in-residence, Joel Fluent Greene and Peace Bell and their student cohort from Northport Public School (7th–12th grade) present original spoken-word performances reflecting on our shared history, present, and future.
FREE TICKETED SHOW
6:00 - 8:00 PM — at The Alluvion:
Poet Laureate, Jessica Care Moore
Doors open at 6 PM - Show at 6:30 - All Ages - General Admission
A FREE ticket is required for this event:
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