Duke University's annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration will revolve around the theme, "What Becomes of the Dream? Faith and Politics, Vision and Leadership." It will feature keynote speakers, a vigil, service engagements and musical performances to celebrate the life, work and ministry of King; many of the events are free and open to the public.

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a celebrated civil rights leader, will give the keynote address at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 at Duke Chapel, an event that is open to the public. After speaking at Duke, Lowery will travel to Washington, D.C. to deliver the benediction at President-elect Obama's inauguration. Lowery, who has been called the "dean of the civil rights movement," co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with King and others in 1957 and continues to be an advocate for civil rights.

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, about her work on the series "CNN Presents: Black in America," which examined the current state of black America 40 years after King's assassination. She will speak in Griffith Film Theater, in the Bryan Center. The public is invited.

Ron Claiborne, ABC News anchor for the weekend edition of "Good Morning America," will deliver the keynote address at the Duke Student National Medical Association's annual banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23. The formal event will be held at the Hilton Durham, 3800 Hillsborough Road. General admission tickets are $30; $10 for students.

Other scheduled events for the 2009 King commemoration, Jan. 15-23, include:

* A performance of the "me too Monologues," a show produced by the Center for Race Relations that performs true stories written by members of the Duke community and performed by Duke students. The stories address issues of race, culture and ethnicity. The show starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, in Brodie Theater, located in the Brodie Recreation Center on East Campus. Free.

* A candlelight vigil will be held at Durham Regional Hospital from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, for members of the community to reflect and pay tribute to King.

*The Million Meals Service Event will package 75,000 meals to be sent overseas to crisis-burdened areas and school lunch programs in developing countries, such as Haiti, Bolivia and Ghana. The volunteer project takes place at North Carolina Central University, from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. The project is co-sponsored by North Carolina Central University, Duke, Stop Hunger Now and the Durham Rotary Club.

*Local talent will perform, "Up Above My Head," a musical extravaganza at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, in the auditorium of Durham Regional Hospital. Free.