13 ways to mark the MLK holiday this weekend
13 ways to mark the MLK holiday this weekend
He had a dream: Legendary civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his legacy and the Black experience are celebrated in music, dance, movies and more
Looking for a way to commemorate MLK Day? Check out our curated list of related events taking place this weekend…
‘A Tribute to Harry Belafonte’
The singer, actor and civil rights activist is remembered with a screening of the 2011 documentary “Sing Your Song,” followed by a panel discussion featuring Belafonte’s granddaughter, Maria Belafonte. Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11. Free. (310) 458-8600. smpl.org
‘Camille A. Brown & Dancers: ink’
The acclaimed New York-based dancer-choreographer and company fuse traditional African rhythms with tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern dance and more in this evening-length work; for ages 11 and up. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 12-13. $49-$79. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org
‘Clybourne Park’
”The Pulitzer Prize Winners,” a new monthly series of staged readings of classic plays, gets underway with Bruce Norris’ 2010 tale inspired by Lorraine Hansberry’s landmark 1959 drama “A Raisin in the Sun.” Los Angeles Public Library, Studio City Branch, 12511 Moorpark St., Studio City. 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Free. interactla.org
Annual MLK Holiday Concert
Santa Monica Symphony, led by guest conductor Gary Pratt, is joined by a cohort of singers, dancers, et al. for a program that includes “We Shall Overcome” and “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” plus the West Coast premiere of John Clayton’s “Home.” SGI-USA World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Free; first come, first serve; RSVP strongly recommended. smsymphony.org
‘The World Is My Home — The Life of Paul Robeson’
Stogie Kenyatta portrays the legendary singer, actor and civil rights activist in this hit one-man show. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $30; discounts available. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Both and (A Play About Laughing While Black)’
Performance artist Carolyn Ratteray celebrates the Black experience through clowning, poetry and more in this solo show. The Wallis’ Lovelace Studio Theatre, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, plus 2:30 p.m. matinees on select Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 13 thru 28. $29, $39. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org
‘Lift Every Voice’
The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the nation’s largest Black majority orchestra, salutes the civil rights activist. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Free; RSVP at skirball.org
‘Music of the March: A Tribute to Rev. Dr. King Jr. and the Motown Sound’
The Costa Mesa-based Arts & Learning Conservatory celebrates the civil rights leader in song. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $35-$100. (949) 854-4646. thebarclay.org
‘The Spirit of Harriet Tubman’
Writer-performer Leslie McCurdy portrays the iconic abolitionist in this solo show. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. $10. (562) 916-8500. cerritoscenter.com
39th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
This event includes a keynote speech by civil rights lawyer Lisa Holder, plus live music and a short theatrical performance. SGI-USA World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Free. mlkjrwestside.org
Kingdom Day Parade
Colorful floats, marching bands, cheer squads, mounted riders and famous faces in fancy cars will take to the streets for the 39th annual procession. Route: Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and St. Andrews Place, west to Crenshaw Blvd., then south to Vernon. Ave., Leimert Park. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Free. kingdomdayparade.org
MLK Day at the Skirball
The museum will offer free admission to the current exhibition “This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement.” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Noon to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Free; RSVP at skirball.org
‘Documenting a Movement: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights’
The historic 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, is revisited in a double bill that pairs James Blue’s 1964 short “The March” with Haskell Wexler’s 1965 doc “The Bus.” Academy Museum, Ted Mann Theater, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. $5-$10. academymuseum.org