Martin Luther King Jr. Day Arizona events honor civil-rights leader
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 16. You can honor the icon’s legacy with these celebrations around the Valley.
Alison Stanton, Special for The Republic | azcentral.com
Scottsdale MLK Dinner Celebration
National speakers with a variety of perspectives will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Scottsdale MLK Dinner Celebration. The dinner was originally created by the founder of Community Celebrating Diversity (CCD), who had a strong interest in preserving King’s legacy.
Details: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11. Henkel Corporation, 7201 E. Henkel Way, Scottsdale. 480–312–1926, ccdarizona.org/mlk-event.
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Program and Breakfast
The yearly breakfast and awards program will recognize seven residents of the Valley for their commitment to helping create a just and compassionate community. One will receive the Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement winner and six recipients will be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream awardees.
Details: 7–9 a.m. Friday, Jan.13. Phoenix Convention Center North Ballroom, 100 N. Third Street, Phoenix. 602–262–7716, phoenix.gov.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee Events
The Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year; they are devoted to promoting cultural awareness, unity and diversity and remembering King’s legacy. This month, the Celebration Committee is planning three events in honor of King. On Friday, Jan. 13, they are hosting an MLK Awards Breakfast, and on Monday, Jan. 16, people may attend an MLK March and Festival, which includes an approximately 2-mile walk. On Friday, Jan. 27, there will be an MLK Youth Celebration held at Phoenix College; the event will feature presentations, workshops and more.
Details: MLK Awards Breakfast: 7–9 a.m. Friday, Jan.13. Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix. Single tickets are $100. 602–513–8311. MLK March: 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Meet at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. MLK Festival:10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. Free. 623–282–1555. MLK Youth Celebration: Friday, Jan. 27 at Phoenix College. Details to come; check website for details. azmlk.org.
MLK Day of Celebration and Service in Surprise
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration and Service offers volunteers the chance to honor King by spending a day serving their communities. The day starts off with a breakfast and celebration, following by a service project kick-off. Keynote speakers are Colonel Richard Toliver and Steve Irvin.
Details: 8:30 a.m. breakfast, 9:45 a.m. service project kick-off. Saturday, Jan. 14. Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, outside courtyard. 623–222–1550, aznbhc.org/mlktributeseries.html.
MORE: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | My Turn: Dear MLK: We need another person like you today
Carmen Lundy
Her latest album, “Soul to Soul,” was chosen as one of Downbeat magazine’s best albums of 2015. A year later, the singer was honored by Black Women in Jazz & The Arts with a lifetime achievement in jazz award. Her vocal technique combining jazz, blues, gospel and classical music lends itself perfectly to this heartfelt story-telling performance.
Check out subscriber-only Insider offers and
SAVE $1000'S
for groceries, auto services, family outings and more…
Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. $25-$35. 480–350–2822, tempe.gov/tca.
MLK Weekend of Service
HandsOn Greater Phoenix is hosting three projects in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. People who enjoy volunteering and want to give back to their communities can choose from different projects; they include sorting and packing food at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix and painting a family home in Chandler.
Details: Saturday-Monday, Jan. 14–16, times and locations vary. Sign up through website. 602–973–2212, extension 232, handsonphoenix.org.
Chandler Multicultural Festival
Appreciate multiculturalism with musical performances, visual art demonstrations, dance troupes and storytellers that represent cultures from all over the world. There will be a children’s area, so bring your whole family to this fun event.
Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 14. Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Free. chandleraz.gov/unity.
Peace and Community Day at Sunday A’Fair
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Sunday A’Fair is featuring a day of unity that is in conjunction with the Scottsdale celebrations. Featured speakers and performers include Holocaust survivor Oskar Knoblauch; HopiToWa performing Japanese and Native American fusion music and the Fountain of Life Choir singing gospel songs.
Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. Free. scottsdaleperformingarts.org.
‘Sister Moses: The Story of Harriet Tubman’
Choreographer Lisa R. Chow marks the 25th anniversary of her signature piece, inspired by the life of the famed abolitionist who helped slaves escape the South via the Underground Railroad — and who will replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill.
Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $15-$25. 480–782–2680, chandlercenter.org, desertdancetheatre.org.
19th annual MLK Diversity Awards Breakfast
Everyone is welcome to attend the 19th annual MLK Diversity Awards breakfast. The Tempe Human Relations Commission will honor local businesses, people and groups that have shown their commitment to diversity in Tempe. The event features a speech by Ahmad Daniels, entertainment and breakfast.
Details: 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Tempe Marriott at the Buttes, 2000 Westcourt Way, Tempe. $10, RVSP is required. 480–350–8979, tempe.gov.
Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Mesa
Spend the day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a variety of activities in Mesa. The day begins with breakfast at Mesa Convention Center, followed by a parade and then a festival starting at noon at Mesa Arts Center. The event also features a creative arts concert and candlelight vigil.
Details: 8 a.m. breakfast, 11 a.m. parade, 12 p.m. festival. Monday, Jan. 16. Locations vary, check website for details. mesamlk.org.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Lunch
Come celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a program and buffet lunch. Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr. will be this year’s diversity award recipient. The event is organized by the Baha’is of Paradise Valley.
Details: 11 a.m.-noon. Monday, Jan. 16. Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. Free. paradisevalleyaz.gov.
Martin Luther King Day Gospel Concert
A celebration of the 87th birthday of the Civil Rights movement’s chief spokesman with music from the traditional Gospel repertoire. Led by local jazz musicians, the afternoon will be filled with strong emotions and energy, enhanced by historical presentation of scenes from Martin Luther King’s life.
Details: 7–9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 22405 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale. Free.480–307–9216, nativityscottsdale.org.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on West
The annual March on West has been a tradition at Arizona State University West’s campus since 1991. Hundreds of local middle school students who have taken part in presentations about the civil rights movement make posters and recreate the historical 1963 march on Washington D.C. At the end of the march participants will hear the famous “I have a dream” speech by ASU faculty member Charles St. Clair.
Details: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. Arizona State University West, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix. March begins at the Paley Gates in front of campus and ends in the Sands/Kiva Courtyard. Free. 602–542–5300, outreach.asu.edu/west/mlk.
Peoria Unity Walk and Black Violin Performance
On Wednesday morning, Jan. 18, put on your walking shoes and join members of the community for a short unity walk. After the walk, hear guest speakers and a performance by classic-fusion duo Black Violin.
Details: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. Meet in front of Peoria City Hall, 8401 W. Monroe St., Peoria. Free. 623–773–7137, peoriaaz.gov.
MLK Student Rally and Student Organization Fair
Celebrate servant leadership and honor Martin Luther King Jr. at the MLK Student Rally and Student Organization Fair at ASU. Learn the 10 characteristics of servant leadership, see the 2016 Servant-Leadership Awardee and hear inspiring words from some of the nation’s servant leaders.
Details: Thursday, Jan. 19. North Stage Memorial Union and Hayden Lawn, Arizona State University Campus, Tempe. Free. asu.edu/mlk.
Regional Unity Walk
The annual Unity Walk gives people from different cities the chance to gather together in an event that promotes understanding and mutual respect. The short walk, which starts at two different locations and ends at Tempe Beach Park with a celebratory reception, is hosted by numerous Valley cities and towns, including Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Details: 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Participants from the cities of Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale and the town of Gilbert will assemble at Tempe Lake Marina. Participants from the cities of Tempe and Mesa and town of Guadalupe and Mesa will assemble at the Tempe Beach Park Amphitheater. Free. 480–312–2727, ccdarizona.org/mlk-event/regional-unity-walk.
MORE AZCENTRAL ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
