Californians Celebrate the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with Service, Song and Solidarity
Events happening throughout the state January 16.
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CategoryArts + Culture
MLK2023 Music Festival
The MLK2023 Music Festival celebrates its thirteenth year, bringing fabulous talents to perform on the Esplanade stage at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, MLK2023 Music Festival features multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Tony Lindsay, the multi-talented RyanNicole, the powerful spoken word of San Francisco’s Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin and the hilarious comedy of Tony Scott.
Enjoy an afternoon of live music from the hit television show “I Remember That Song!” with host Gerry Dove, and guests, featuring Big Russ and DJ Flash of “The World Famous Rick & Russ Show” and radio personalities and artists.
Come early to join the inspiring and joyous MLK Day Interfaith Commemoration at 11:45am, led by the San Francisco Interfaith Council.
26th Annual MLK Celebration: Beyond Race, Beyond Class, Beyond Nation
This year’s in person program, co-sponsored by PADC and the City of Piedmont, will feature performances by New Style Motherlode Entertainment and Oaktown Jazz Workshop. Speakers include Corrina Gould of the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, Mayor of Piedmont Jen Cavenaugh, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Dr. Claybourne Carson the Founding Director of Stanford’s King Research & Education Institute, and keynote speaker Kate Schatz, co-author of Do the Work: An Anti-Racist Activity Book. Also featured this year is an Art & Essay Showcase.
Caltrain’s MLK Celebration Train
Caltrain’s MLK Celebration Train will be making the trip up the Peninsula on Monday, January 16. The Celebration Train provides free train service to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day March in San Francisco, organized in partnership with the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation. Sign up today!
Attendees who RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket worth a free return trip after 1 p.m. on the 16th. Find more information about MLK Day events in San Francisco here.
UC Davis School of Law
The UC Davis School of Law will host its fourth annual MLK Day of Service and Celebration honoring the late Martin Luther King Jr. on his holiday. The law school’s home, King Hall, is named after the slain civil rights leader.
King Hall’s Black Law Student Association along with the 2023 MLK Day Working Group have planned a dynamic event of opportunities to give back to the community while celebrating King’s legacy and connection to the law school.
The event, including lunch during the noontime celebration, is free and open to the public.
California African American Museum
This year’s theme is “MLK: A Legacy of Service” and the program includes a performance by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the King Study Group, family activities, crafts, food trucks, and more!
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
King Study Group
Listen to a recording of King’s 1967 speech at Riverside Church in New York City, “Time to Break the Silence,” then participate in a group discussion about how his words relate to our lives today.
12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Family Story Time
Storytellers from the Los Angeles Public Library read inspiring and delightful children’s books about Martin Luther King Jr. and how to build a better world.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Concert
The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles returns to CAAM to present their crowd-favorite musical tribute to MLK.
Three Northern California Hotels Will Donate Some Proceeds to Fire Relief Efforts
Patronize one of these hotels to put dollars back into the local economy.
Blue Whales Showed Up in Record Numbers Off the San Francisco Coast
Their fill of krill.
Bryan Mineo Overcomes His Fear of Open Water and Inspires Others to Dive In
Alternating current.