Best Martin Luther King Day Celebrations In Los Angeles
This year, Los Angeles is honoring the greatest civil rights leader with parades and other notable events in the spirit of peace and equality. We've rounded up the best the city has to offer.
Celebrating the Dream Luncheon
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Grand Hall
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 622-2344
www.mlk-chf.org
Date: Jan. 15, 2015
In celebration of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital scheduled to open this spring, more than 600 of the community's business and philanthropic leaders will gather together for a special luncheon in honor of the public-private partnership bringing health services to the underserved communities of South Los Angeles. This year's luncheon will be particularly exciting with a preview of how the new hospital will positively impact the 1.2 million South LA residents with its services and offerings. Supporting the vision of accessible health care to underprivileged communities, the luncheon will also honor high-profile leaders with awards such as the Yancey, Community Engagement and Game Changer Awards. This luncheon celebrates the making of a community dream turned into a reality.
Get With the Action: A Community Art Festival
Pasadena Museum of California Art
490 E. Union St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 568-3665
www.pmcaonline.org
Date: Jan. 17, 2015
In honor of MLK day, the Pasadena Museum of California Art will be hosting a community art festival in celebration of the lives and works of those fighting against social injustices. The festival itself is inspired by an upcoming exhibit featuring the artwork of Sister Mary Corita Kent. The artist-activist was best known for the community festivals she used to put on back in the '60s centered around racism, war and poverty. Her art conveyed messages of acceptance and hope blending activism with religion. The festival culminates with a banner procession and ends in the All Saints Courtyard where there will be food trucks and picnicking.
27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace & Unity Parade
Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
1950 Lemon Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90806
(562) 570-4405
www.longbeach.gov
Date: , January 16, 2016
Celebrating one of the most historical figures of the civil rights movement, the Peace & Unity Parade will kick off at 10:30 am at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. The honorary celebration will continue at 12pm to 6pm where more than 25,000 people will gather together for an afternoon of live music and entertainment showcasing visions of peace and brotherhood. There will also be carnival rides and kids activities such as arts and crafts reflecting the spirit of justice. This celebration is a great way to learn more about the local groups and organizations that honor the values of MLK to this day. The celebration also features Dreamland, an entire area dedicated to our youth to uphold the legacy of Dr. King.
MLK Community Roundtable Discussion
Cathedral Center of St. Paul (Great Hall)
840 Echo Park Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 482-2040
www.lacrl.org
Date: Jan. 19, 2015
For the first time ever, the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders will be hosting an open roundtable discussion for all communities of faith to discuss important societal issues impacting Los Angeles. Representatives of every faith will be in attendance, from the United Methodist Church, Presbytery of the Pacific and Armenian Church of North America to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, just to name a few. This community event aims to bring together the faith communities in support of a common cause. Up for discussion are the topics of immigration reform, racism and equality, affordable housing for the homeless, and an even wider range of civil discourses. It's the perfect alternative to your regularly programmed schedule of street parades in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
30th Annual Kingdom Day Parade
Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. & Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
(323) 250-2891
www.kingdomdayparade.org
Date: Jan. 19, 2015
Love and respect are the theme for this year's annual Kingdom Day Parade put on by the Congress of Racial Equality of California (CORE-CA), an organization committed to eliminating the tensions between races. The parade will begin west of the Coliseum on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard right off of Vermont Avenue and usually ends in Leimert Park where CORE-CA hosts a music and art festival. If you can't make it in person, you can catch the live broadcast on Channel 7 starting at 11 a.m.
Related: Best Buildings or Works of Architecture In Los Angeles
