The Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition will hold a handful of activities and events over the entire Jan. 13 to 16 weekend leading up to and including the 2012 Martin Luther King National Holiday Celebration and Community Involvement Fair on Monday, Jan. 16, at the SGI-USA World Culture Center Auditorium in Santa Monica.
Embracing the theme “Peace Begins With Me,” Westsiders will join together to celebrate our rich diversity and promote peace, brotherhood, social and economic justice at the events.
The 2012 MLK National Holiday “Weekend of Celebrations” will include the following events:
Friday, Jan. 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.:
Westside Interfaith “MLK Prayer Breakfast,” presented in cooperation with the Westside Interfaith Council. An inspirational community gathering, featuring speakers, reflection and prayer. The guest speaker will be Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of the Islamic Shura Council. At Calvary Baptist Church, Carter Center, 1502 20th Street, Santa Monica. Tickets: $25 per person donation, $200 for a table of 10.
Friday, January 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.:
MLK Education Awards “Jazz & Blues Dinner Show,” featuring piano jazz with Ron Levy and Sharon Marie Cline (“The Divine Miss Cline”), plus blues singer Sista Jean & CB. Enjoy a complete dinner along with intimate musical performances. At Upper West, 3321 W. Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Valet parking. Advance tickets: $50/person donation. Proceeds to be used for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition’s Education Awards for Westside high school and community college students. .
Friday, January 13, from 10 p.m. to midnight:
MLK Education Awards “R&B Dance Party,” featuring the Derek Bordeaux Group. One of the hottest bands in Southern California for more than 25 years, the Derek Bordeaux Group has performed in Southern California and Las Vegas, becoming one of the most sought after artists for their sultry renditions of Motown classics, jazz, R&B and blues standards. At Upper West, 3321 W. Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Valet parking. Advance Tickets: $25/person donation. Tickets are for admission only. Additional charge for food and beverages. Proceeds to be used for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition’s Education Awards for Westside high school and community college students.
2012 MLK National Holiday “Weekend of Celebrations”
Saturday, January 14, from 9 a.m. to noon:
“MLK Kidz Party,” a kid-friendly introduction to the life and teachings of MLK, featuring live music for kids by Michael Cladis; “We Shall Overcome,” by Creative PlayGround; face painting, Wet-On tattoos and stickers; art projects and origami; Fabian’s Foto Booth and more! At Virginia Avenue Park’s Kidz Zone, 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica. Free and open to the public. Space limited.
Saturday, January 14, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.:
MLK Westside Teen Unity “Peace In,” featuring “Dreams of King,” by actor Gerald C. Rivers; DJs & live teen bands; spoken word poets, art & more! At The Talking Stick Coffee Lounge, 1411 Lincoln Blvd., Venice. Free and open to the public. Space limited. Additional parking behind building. Co-sponsored by the NAACP Santa Monica-Venice Branch and the Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council.
Sunday, January 15, at 3:30 p.m.:
Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra’s 6th Annual Commemorative “MLK Weekend Family Concert,” featuring Adam Del Monte, guitarist, and Allen Robert Gross, conductor. The program includes Dvorák’s Three Slavonic Dances; Chen Yi’s Duo Ye; Adam Del Monte’s Paisajes, Concerto for Flamenco Guitar & Orchestra (premiere); and Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 2. At the SGI-USA Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. Free and open to the public. Presented in cooperation with SGI-USA.
Monday, January 16, from 9 a.m. to noon:
27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Celebration & Community Involvement Fair, a multi-ethnic interfaith program, with featured speaker Congresswoman Janice Hahn; music and dance performances; education awards presentations; inspirational readings and more! This annual celebration of the official King National Holiday has grown to become one of the largest and most diverse celebrations of its kind on the West Coast. At SGI-USA Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. Free and open to the public. The celebration is followed by a Community Involvement Fair, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, across the street at 606 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. The fair will offer refreshments and informational displays by a variety of community organizations. Free and open to the public.
The 2012 MLK National Holiday “Weekend of Celebrations” is presented by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition and is sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, Rand Corporation, CityTV-Santa Monica, the Santa Monica College Associates, Soka Gakkai International (SGI-USA), Santa Monica College, and a variety of other individuals, organizations, and corporate contributors.
