EVENTS

MLK events in metro Phoenix

Wendy Killeen, and Kayla S. Samoy
Phoenix
Gary Jenkins of San Tan Valley, dances while waiting with others from the Mt Calvary Baptist Church of Mesa, to march in the Mesa MLK Celebration parade along Center Street in Mesa on Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Jan. 20, 2015.

The civil-rights legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated during January with events across the Valley. There will be ticketed dinners and performances, marches, free festivals, a party and opportunities to volunteer for community-service projects through the end of January.

Chandler Multicultural Festival

The festival highlights the cultural diversity of the community through storytelling, art, dance, music and more. The event has a new location this year, with indoor and outdoor performance stages and multiple interactive areas with booths for henna tattoos, salsa lessons and tai chi. Vendor booths will be set up near the outdoor stage. More than 50 people will become U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony.

Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16. Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd. Free. 480-782-2214, chandleraz.gov.

Tempe MLK Diversity Awards Dinner

The city's Human Relations Commission will honor community groups and individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity. The keynote speaker will be NeEddra James, the director of program development and education at Challenge Day, a non-profit group that works with young people to create a culture of respect and tolerance. Entertainment by Southwest Soul Circuit. Reservations are required; seats are limited.

Details: 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16. Marriott Tempe at the Buttes, 2000 Westcourt Way. $15. 480-350-8979, tempe.gov.

Weekend of Service

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service. Get involved volunteering at one of the many events scheduled during MLK weekend. Opportunities include a sewing project with Hospice of the Valley, sorting and packing of medical supplies at Project C.U.R.E. and participating at Garden Days at Growhouse.

Details: Friday-Monday, Jan. 15-18. 602-973-2212, Ext. 232; handsonphoenix.org/martin-luther-king-jr-day.

Peace & Community Day

Bring the family, blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic to Civic Center Park in Scottsdale. Peace & Community Day is part of the Sunday A'Fair series and includes a concert, arts and crafts market, activities, food, beer and wine. Docent-led tours of sculptures in the park are available and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art offers free admission. Nancy McCallion and the Scarlett Lettermen will perform from noon to 1:30 p.m. and Big Nick and the Gila Monsters will perform from 2 to 4 p.m.

Details: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18. Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Free. 480-499-8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org/event/sunday-afair.

Black Violin

DJ TK on turntables, Wil B on viola and Kev Marcus on violin combine highbrow music and pop culture with a fusion of classical, jazz, hip-hop, blues and R&B. The group likes to encourage kids to think creatively and do things no one has done before. Their concert is part of Chandler's Celebration of Unity events.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $24-$38. 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org.

Black Violin fuses hip-hop, classical at Chandler Center for the Arts

MLK Torch Run and Awards Breakfast

Start the day by taking part in the Torch Run, which starts at Phoenix City Hall and covers 3.5 miles before ending at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix Hotel. After the run, local citizens will be recognized for their positive impact on the community. Awards include the Calvin Goode Lifetime Achievement Award, the Living the Dream Awards and a Legacy Award. For information on tickets, tables and sponsorships, email info@azoic.org. Proceeds benefit Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Centers and youth scholarships.

Details: Torch Run: 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St. Free. Breakfast: 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, 340 N. Third Street. $75. 602-254-5081, azmlk.org.

MLK Basketball Classic

Players of all ages will participate in this double-elimination tournament. As many as 14 teams will go head to head while learning the values of team participation and cooperation. The event aims to bring players together across cultures and break down boundaries in the name of fun.

Details: Jan. 12-16. Eastlake Park, 1549 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-262-6759, azmlk.org.

MLK Basketball Classic at SCC now off the table

MLK Candlelight Ceremony Concert

Be a part of a candlelit gospel service, including a choir, dancing, recitations and guest speakers. Scholarship recipients will be recognized.

Details: 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17. Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Free. 602-513-8311, azmlk.org.

MLK March & Festival

Join the march to celebrate the slain civil-rights leader's life and the fight for equality. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix. The walk will begin at 9 and end at Margaret T. Hance Park at 1202 N. Third St., where a free festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. There will be vendors, entertainment, a health fair and food.

Details: 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18. Parade starts at 1401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Free. 623-282-1555, azmlk.org.

MLK Youth Art Exhibit

Tomorrow's future leaders will depict their understanding of King's dream through the visual arts. Their work will be showcased in a monthlong display in the west wing of the Arizona State Capitol. The opening reception is 4:30-6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22.

Details: Jan. 22-Feb. 20. Arizona State Capitol Executive Tower mezzanine lobby, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix. 623-364-2248, azmlk.org.

MLK Youth Celebration

Presented by the Phoenix College NAACP and Black Student Union, this event offers workshops, networking, educational displays and entertainment focusing on issues important to today's youths. The hashtag theme is #OurYouthMatter,

Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Phoenix College, 1202 W. Thomas Road. 602-330-3249, azmlk.org.

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Martin Luther King Jr. celebration

Sponsored by the Baha'is of Paradise Valley, this event invites people to honor King's life and legacy. Shirley L. Mays, dean at Arizona Summit Law School, will receive the MLK Diversity Award. The celebration will include entertainment, recognition of student essay winners on the theme of "Lead by Example" and a key note address by Mays.

Details: 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18. 6401 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. Free. 480-948-7411, paradisevalleyaz.gov.

Mesa Community Gala

This event will honor Mesa Community College scholarship recipients and local civil rights leaders and organizations, including Howard Hewitt, Al Heggs and Dr. Jennifer Welter. Dress in formal or business attire and enjoy hors d'oeuvres.

Details: 5 p.m. red carpet, 6 p.m. awards gala. Saturday, Jan. 16. Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center, 1833 W. Southern Ave. mesamlk.org.

Mesa MLK Parade

Mayor John Giles, marching bands, floats, horses, community groups, businesses and vehicles will make their way south along Center Street from Dr. Martin Luther King Way to First Street, where the parade will turn west onto Robson. The procession will end at the Mesa Arts Center where a festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m.

Details: 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Center Street. Free. mesamlk.org.

MLK Jr. Festival Celebration

The Mesa MLK Committee presents this free festival at Mesa Arts Center. Vendors, music performances, dancers and storytellers will be featured.

Details: Noon-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19. 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Free. 480-644-6500, mesamlk.org.

'I Have a Dream' re-enactment

A tradition since 1991, Arizona State University's West campus will present a re-enactment of King's most famous speech, given by ASU faculty member Charles St. Clair. Local middle-school students will set the scene by re-enacting the 1963 March on Washington before the speech. The march begins at the Paley Gates at the front of the campus.

Details: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix. Free; $2 per hour to park. 602-543-5300, asu.edu/mlk.

ASU West will continue its tradition of re-enacting the Rev. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream"  speech Wednesday, Jan. 20.

Regional Unity Walk

East Valley community members will depart from separate gathering areas for this 1-mile walk that promotes respect and understanding. Residents of Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert will gather at Tempe Town Lake Marina; those from Tempe, Guadalupe and Mesa should meet at Tempe Beach Park Amphitheater. Check the website for the walking route.

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30; assembly will begin at 5:45. 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Free. 480-312-2727, ccdarizona.org/mlk-event/regional-unity-walk.

Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Celebration

The 22nd annual celebration includes featured guest speaker Zak Ebrahim, whose father Rabbi Meir Kahane, leader of the Jewish Defense League, was assassinated. The program includes a diverse group of speakers to honor King with the theme "Living the Dream."

Details: 5:30 p.m. registration and reception, 6 p.m. doors open. Tuesday, Jan. 12. Chaparral Suites, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. $60. 480-312-3030, ccdarizona.org/mlk-event.

Peoria Unity Walk and Ceremony

Meet at 87th Avenue and Mountain View Road to walk about half a mile to Centennial Plaza on the south side of City Hall. Guest speaker Lynda Blackmon Lowery, the youngest person to take part in the Selma Voting Rights March in 1965, will discuss her experiences and sign her memoir, "Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom." After the speech, there will be a brick dedication for the newest addition to the Centennial Plaza Decades Walk, which commemorates the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Details: 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 14. Centennial Plaza, 9875 N. 85th Ave. Free. 623-773-7137, peoriaaz.gov/specialevents.

Free admission to national parks

National parks across the country will offer free admission on MLK Day. There are 22 national parks in Arizona.

Details: Monday, Jan. 18. nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

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