{"id":24722,"date":"2023-01-11T11:50:25","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T19:50:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=24722"},"modified":"2023-01-11T11:50:27","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T19:50:27","slug":"celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-day-2023-with-bay-area-events-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2023\/01\/11\/celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-day-2023-with-bay-area-events-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023 with Bay Area events and more"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anne Schrager\u00a0January 9, 2023 (datebook.sfchronicle.com)<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.Photo: Northern California Martin Luther King Jr. Community Foundation\u2019s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and honor his legacy of social justice and equity. The Georgia-born, 1964 Nobel Peace Prize-winning civil rights hero and minister is commemorated annually with a national holiday on the third Monday of January. The day of remembrance for King, who was tragically assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968, will be celebrated this year on Monday, Jan. 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s The Chronicle\u2019s guide to the best commemorative events, National Day of Service volunteer opportunities and more ways to mark the occasion around the Bay Area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
S.F. Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin reading a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti in front of Cafe Trieste on April 15, 2021.Photo: Shelby Knowles \/ Special to The Chronicle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Freedom, Justice, and Beloved Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The evening event is scheduled to include live performances from recording artist Emily King and vocalist Goapele; spoken word performances from San Francisco Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin and Minister Marvin White of Glide church; and gospel music from the Glide Ensemble and soul singers Sangin\u2019 Sara & James P. Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. Free, registration required<\/a>. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-857-0595. norcalmlkfoundation.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freedom Farmers\u2019 Market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Join Oakland in supporting the freedom to choose affordable, local food freshly grown by Black and other underserved farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Free, reservations encouraged<\/a>. 4521 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 510-379-8600. farmstogrow.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let Freedom Ring: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taking inspiration from Dr. King\u2019s \u201cI Have a Dream\u201d speech, the family-friendly afternoon event will include story time and crafts with local author Phelicia Lang, live music from the Black Excellence Band<\/a>, music and dancing with DJ Christie James<\/a>, snacks and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Free. Hercules Library, <\/em>109 Civic Dr., Hercules. 510-245-2420. ccclib.bibliocommons.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Members of the Oaktown Jazz Workshop will perform as part of Piedmont\u2019s 26th annual MLK Celebration: \u201cBeyond Race, Beyond Class, Beyond Nation.\u201dPhoto: Oaktown Jazz Workshop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2023 King and Faith Symposium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Rev. Sakena Young-Scaggs, senior associate dean of religious and spiritual life at Stanford University, will moderate an inter-religious symposium with scholars and the general public in discussion on themes of justice in varied religious traditions. With Tracey E. Hucks, Raymond Carr, Julius Bailey and NorcalMLK Foundation Executive Director Aaron Grizzell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Free. Stanford Memorial Church, 450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford. 415-857-0595. norcalmlkfoundation.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashkenaz\u2019s Golden 50th Anniversary Kickoff Event<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An evening of world and roots music will include live music from Karamo Susso (West African), SambaD\u00e1 (Afro-Brazilian) and dance demonstrations by Kathy Reyes (Bachata), Nakarat (Balkan), and Nonstop Bhangra (Indian).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. $20-$25, reservations recommended<\/a>. Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. 510-525-5099. ashkenaz.com<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Karamo Susso performs on the African kora.Photo: Ashkenaz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Afro Soca Love: Oakland Black-Owned Marketplace and Night Carnival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Afro Soca Love and Love Tribe Supply Store present a family-friendly marketplace with small businesses, food and live music. After the daytime event, there will be an adults-only nighttime event with live world music entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Free-$30, reservations recommended<\/a>. Lot 13, 341 13th St., Oakland. afrosocalove.com\/oakland<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belonging: A Weekly Practice Space \u2014 Dr. Martin Luther King Edition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An in-person, holiday event hosted by the UC Berkeley Othering and Belonging Institute<\/a>. Stretch your understanding and applications of belonging through a mix of meditation, movement and creative inquiry with a deeper dive into King\u2019s philosophy and actions. Live-stream viewing available<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Free, reservations required<\/a>. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F. 415-978-2700. ybca.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Evensong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A celebration and moment of reflection featuring perspectives from interfaith leaders Tracey E. Hucks, Raymond Carr, the Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, the Very Rev. Malcolm Clemens Young, the Rev. Sakena Young-Scaggs, and live music from the Stanford Talisman a cappella group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Free. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F. 415-749-6300. gracecathedral.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Clayborne Carson, MLK Jr. Centennial Professor Emeritus at the Freeman Spogli Institute and Founding Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.Photo: Yalonda M. James \/ The Chronicle 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Grace Forum: King and Faith \u2013 Freedom, Justice and Beloved Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A discussion presented in partnership with the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Foundation,<\/a> and moderated by Clayborne Carson of the MLK Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford. The forum will be available to view in person or via live stream on Grace Cathedral\u2019s website<\/a> and Facebook<\/a> channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Free-$10, vaccination proof and masks required. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F. 415-749-6300. gracecathedral.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Labor and Community Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

San Francisco labor, civic, business and community leaders will join with community for a breakfast honoring the activist\u2019s legacy. The foundation\u2019s 2023 Willie B Kennedy Civic Service Award will be presented to Nancy Pelosi, and the event will include speakers and live Latin jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8-10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. $175-$1,750, reservations required.<\/a> InterContinental San Francisco, 888 Howard St., S.F. norcalmlkfoundation.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Riders congregate outside a stop during the Caltrain NorCal MLK Day\u2019s celebration train ride to the rally and celebration in S.F.Photo: Northern California Martin Luther King Jr. Community Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Caltrain NorCal MLK Celebration Train<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take a train ride and honor the life and legacy of Dr. King with onboard activities for all on the way to the San Francisco MLK Day celebrations. The free commemorative train ride will depart from San Jose\u2019s Diridon Station, making stops at Palo Alto and San Mateo stations before arriving to San Francisco. Once there, attendees will have convenient access to the MLK2023 March and Yerba Buena Gardens, where there is a full day of holiday festivities scheduled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free commemorative tickets; reservations required<\/a>. Diridon Station, 65 Cahill St., San Jose. 800-660-4287. norcalmlkfoundation.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MLK Day of Service on the Richmond Greenway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Celebrate King\u2019s legacy by helping out the East Bay community at an event including community work and beautification projects, followed by an MLK memorial and celebration at Unity Park. The Watershed Project<\/a>, Urban Tilth<\/a>, Groundwork Richmond<\/a>, Pogo Park<\/a> and other Richmond community organizations are set to host a variety of service projects along the Richmond Greenway. Gloves, tools and water will be provided, though bringing your own tools is encouraged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free, registration required<\/a>. Richmond Greenway, 16th Street and Chanslor Avenue, and Unity Park, 1605 Ohio Ave., Richmond. 510-730-1551. thewatershedproject.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Volunteers paint a mural during a 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Day event at the Richmond Greenway.Photo: Bront\u00eb Wittpenn \/ The Chronicle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MLK Jr. Mitzvah Day of Service and Celebration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sign up for volunteer opportunities during the annual community-wide day of tikkun olam<\/em> (\u201crepair the world\u201d). The volunteer efforts include projects for all ages that address issues of poverty, hunger, housing and homelessness, aging, the environment and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9:30 a.m. -2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free with registration. Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian Way and Mitchell Park,  Palo Alto. 650-223-8700. paloaltojcc.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uhuru MLK Day Oakland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The event, sponsored by the African People\u2019s Education and Defense Fund<\/a> and Black Star Industries<\/a>, is to include a screening of historical footage celebrating civil rights and Black Power movement leaders from the 1950s and \u201960s, a program of speakers, an outdoor volunteer project doing outreach in the community, pizza lunch and open mike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free, registration required<\/a>. Akwaaba Hall, 7911 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 510-763-3342, Ext. 3. uhurufurniture.blogspot.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martin Luther King Film Festival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spend the holiday at the Oakland library watching films geared towards both families and adult audiences. Scheduled screenings include \u201cIn Remembrance of Martin<\/a>,\u201d \u201cMartin\u2019s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.<\/a>,\u201d \u201cThe March: The Story of the Greatest March in America<\/a>,\u201d \u201cDriving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility<\/a>\u201d and \u201cAmerican Masters: Maya Angelou, and Still I Rise<\/a>.\u201d The daylong event will include discussions at the end of each film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free, registration required<\/a>. African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. 510-637-0200. oaklandlibrary.org\/aamlo<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Prescott Circus youth performers will entertain outside the Museum of the African Diaspora on MLK Jr. Day 2023.Photo: Museum of the African Diaspora<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MoAD\u2019s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and National Day of Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MoAD will mark the holiday with free museum admission and programs, including in-person attendance for the first time since 2020. ‍With Dimensions Dance Company<\/a>\u2018s \u201cThe History of Dance From Africa to America;\u201d \u201cArt As We See It<\/a>\u201d monthly installation, \u201cCivil Rights Through Art and Music\u201d with live stream available;<\/a> \u201cFor Love and Legacy,\u201d film documentary screening; family art activities; and a scavenger hunt highlighting the museum\u2019s spring exhibition, \u201cThe New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion.\u201d Outside of the museum, ‍Prescott Circus<\/a> will present an interactive performance and sidewalk chalk art with Jamie Treacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free, masks required inside. Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission St., S.F. 415-318-7152. moadsf.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

26th Annual MLK Celebration: Beyond Race, Beyond Class, Beyond Nation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This in-person program, co-sponsored by PADC<\/a> and the city of Piedmont<\/a>, will feature performances from New Style Motherlode Entertainment<\/a> and Oaktown Jazz Workshop<\/a>. Speakers include Corrina Gould of the Sogorea Te\u2019 Land Trust<\/a>, Rep. Barbara Lee, Clayborne Carson of the MLK Jr. Research and Education Institute of Stanford University<\/a>, and keynote speaker Kate Schatz, co-author of \u201cDo the Work: An Antiracist Activity Book.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free, registration required<\/a>. Alan Harvey Theater, 800 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont. padc.info<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
MLK Day marchers make their way to Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.Photo: James Tensuan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MLK2023 March<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Join thousands in honoring the historic Selma to Montgomery, Ala., marches and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, by experiencing the MLK2023 commemorative march\/parade from San Francisco\u2019s Caltrain station to Yerba Buena Gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free.  S.F. Caltrain Station, Fourth Street and Townsend, S.F. norcalmlkfoundation.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MLK Day Music Festival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy an afternoon of live music with multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Tony Lindsay<\/a>, RyanNicole<\/a>, spoken word from San Francisco\u2019s Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin<\/a>, Big Russ and DJ Flash of \u201cThe World Famous Rick & Russ Show,\u201d<\/a> and comedy with Tony Scott. Gerry Dove and the cast from the local television show \u201cI Remember That Song<\/a>\u201d will host the festivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This event is part of Northern California Martin Luther King Jr. Community Foundation\u2019s<\/a> MLK23 festivities running Jan. 11-16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free. Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission Street between Third and Fourth streets, S.F. 415-543-1718. ybgfestival.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hayward community leaders, NAACP, Chabot College, Hayward Unified School District and the city of Hayward will present an MLK Jr. tribute. It is scheduled to include poems performed by Bret Harte Middle School slam poets, speakers and live music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Free, vaccination proof  and reservations required<\/a>. Chabot College Performing Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward. 510-583-4000. hayward-ca.gov<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SingJam MLK Day Jam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sing along with songs of  justice, hope and freedom. Bring your voices, guitars, friends and families to join SingJam for the annual MLK Day music event. See the song list online<\/a>. All ages and skill levels welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. $12-$36, reservations required<\/a>. College Avenue Presbyterian, 5951 College Ave., Oakland. singjam.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"South African artist Lhola Amira\u2019s \u201cFacing the Future\u201d will be exhibited at the de Young Museum through the year as part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco\u2019s new African art program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Lhola Amira: Facing the Future\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco\u2019s new African art program, South African artist Lhola Amira embodies South African Nguni spiritual practices in their life and work, emphasizing the power of remembering ancestors. In \u201cFacing the Future,\u201d visitors can trace the trajectory of ancestor veneration from the 19th and 20th century figures in the permanent collection galleries to the new artwork that Amira created specifically for the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through Dec. 3. Included with museum admission. African Art Collection at the de Young Museum,\u00a050 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive,\u00a0Golden Gate Park, S.F.\u00a0<\/em>415-750-7694.\u00a0famsf.org<\/a><\/em><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n