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Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by attending one of many events taking place around the Valley.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 15. People can honor his legacy by taking part in these celebrations throughout the Phoenix metro area all weekend.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee Events
The Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee is celebrating its 32nd anniversary of promoting cultural diversity, awareness and unity. To help honor King and his achievements, the committee will present several events during the holiday weekend.
Details: The MLK March is at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 14th and Jefferson streets, Phoenix. The MLK Festival is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. Free. 623-282-1555. See the website for a complete list of events. azmlk.org.
MLK Weekend of Service
HandsOn Greater Phoenix is hosting nine projects in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. People who enjoy volunteering and want to give back to their communities can choose from a variety of activities including sorting and packing food at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix and giving the dogs and cats at Animal Care West Valley Shelter some TLC, grooming or exercise. Details: Through today, Jan. 15. Times and locations vary. Sign up at handsonphoenix.org.
Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Mesa
This community celebration features business supporters, community members, leaders and marching bands coming together to honor King’s legacy.
Details: 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Center Street, Mesa. mesamlk.org.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Lunch
Paradise Valley is holding its 20th anniversary celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event, which is organized by Baha’is of Paradise Valley, features a program followed by a lunch.
Details: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. paradiseval leymlk.org.
Martin Luther King Day Gospel Concert
A celebration of the birthday of the civil-rights movement’s chief spokesman with music from the traditional gospel repertoire. The event will include excerpts from King’s speeches.
Details: 7-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. 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 re-create the historical 1963 march on Washington, D.C. At the end of the march participants will hear the famous “I Have a Dream” speech recited by ASU faculty member Charles St. Clair.
Details: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17. 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. 602-5425300, outreach.asu.edu/west/mlk.
Peoria Unity Walk
Join members of the community for a short walk from City Hall to Centennial Plaza. After the walk, stay to listen to guest speakers.
Details: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16. Meet in front of Peoria City Hall, 8401 W. Monroe St. Free. 623-7737137, peoriaaz.gov.
Performance by Alex Boyé
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Peoria is welcoming YouTube’s 2014 Cover Artist of the Year Alex Boyé to the Centennial Plaza stage. Boyé will perform his signature lineup of African-infused songs. Food will be available for purchase at the free lawn concert. Details: Gates open at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16. Centennial Plaza, 9875 N. 85th Ave., Peoria. Free. peo riaaz.gov.
Jewish Community Relations Council Showing of ‘Strange Fruit’
This event, co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Bureau of Jewish Education, ASU Project Humanities and the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, will feature a screening of the documentary “Strange Fruit,” followed by facilitated discussions about race relations between African-Americans and the Jewish community. “Strange Fruit” also is a song that has been performed by many singers and was written by a Jewish teacher, Abel Meropol; it protests American racism and the lynching of African-Americans.
Details: 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix. Free. www.facebook.com/Jewish-Community-RelationsCouncil-of-Greater-Phoenix-391181981303164.
Regional Unity Walk and Diversity Festival
The annual Unity Walk gives people from cities around the East Valley the chance to gather at the
same time but different locations for an event that promotes understanding and mutual respect. The walk, which starts at two locations and ends at Tempe Beach Park with a celebratory reception, is hosted by several cities and towns, including Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Details: Saturday, Jan. 27. Festival starts at 4:30 p.m. and the walk is at 6 p.m. Participants from Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert will assemble at Tempe Lake Marina. Participants from Tempe, Mesa and Guadalupe will assemble at the Tempe Beach Park Amphitheater. Free. 480-312-2727, ccdarizona.org/ mlk-event/regional-unity-walk.