For many folks, this is a three-day weekend due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day federal holiday on Monday. So, topping the list are some things that tie in with the importance of the holiday.

Author Jacqueline Hamer Flakes book discussion

Jacqueline Hamer Flakes is the daughter of civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, and her latest book, “Mama Fannie,” is about her mother who rose from poverty to become a pioneering voice in the battle for equal rights for Blacks in the U.S. She will speak in a conversation with Pittsburgh First Lady Michelle Gainey at the City of Asylum, 40 W. North Ave. on the North Side, on Saturday from 3-4:30 p.m. The event is part of the Pittsburgh premiere of “FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer” at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center from Friday through Monday. For more information, visit cityofasylum.org or call 412-435-1110.

Animal Friends Paw Patrol Day

Animal Friends, Inc. is hosting a special event on Saturday from 12-3 p.m. at 562 Camp Horne Road in Ohio Township. Guests can experience a meet-and-greet with a character from PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” and have a chance to win tickets to the show, which is coming next weekend (Jan. 21-22) to the Benedum Center. Starting at noon, there will be visits with therapy dogs, interactive storytime and a scavenger hunt, and attendees can learn about Humane Society Police Officers and the work they do. There will also be an opportunity to meet adoptable rabbits. For more information, visit thinkingoutsidethecage.org.

Celebrate the lives of King and Carver

Learn more about the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and George Washington Carver at a special program featuring Carnegie Mellon University professor Joe William Trotter Jr. and spiritual music. The program is co-hosted by the Battle of Homestead Foundation and takes place Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Park Place AME Ministries, 210 E. 10th Ave. in Homestead. Trotter is CMU’s Giant Eagle University Professor of History and Social Justice. After the formal program, there will be a community brunch starting at 11 a.m.

Disney Celebration Sing-Along

For anyone into singing Disney songs, it’s a small world after all this Sunday at the Hard Rock Café in Station Square — Non-Stop Broadway’s Disney Celebration Sing-Along starts at 5 p.m. Singers can lead the sing-along from the stage or just sit and sing along to songs from beloved Disney animated features. Tunes can be chosen from “Frozen,” “Moana,” “Lion King” and any other work of Disney. Oh, and costumes are welcome. The Café advises that singing spots are limited, so plan on arriving early to get your favorite song. Email Roy.Smith@hardrock.com with your requests.

Phil-A-Palooza

Groundhog Day is just around the corner and Wigle Whiskey and Threadbare Cider are holding events as part of Phil-A-Palooza on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the release of Punxsutawney Phil’s Shadow Maple Finished Rye. The Friday evening event at Wigle is sold out. But, folks can still visit Threadbare Cider House at 1291 Spring Garden Ave. in the Spring Hill-City View neighborhood on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a chance to meet the famous groundhog Phil and Threadbare’s commemorative Phil’s Burrow Cider will be on sale. Sales benefit Phil’s year-round care. The first 25 attendees will get a free Phil-inspired doughnut from Oakmont Bakery. Tickets are $5 for adults and include a 3-ounce pour of Phil’s Burrow Cider. The event is free for anyone under 20, but an RSVP is required. Visit threadbarecider.com to buy tickets to meet Punxsutawney Phil.

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