The annual Arlington Martin Luther King, Jr. “Advancing the Dream” Celebration is set for Jan. 13-16.
As one of the larger celebrations in the state, this four-day event attracts thousands of Arlington-area residents each year.
The theme for this year’s festivities, organized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, is “Advancing the Dream: Moving Toward Unity, Justice and Peace.”
The MLK Advancing the Dream Gala
This celebratory weekend kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, with the MLK Advancing the Dream Gala. The event, which includes dinner, special tributes, entertainment and scholarship and award announcements, will be held in the University Center’s Bluebonnet Ballroom on The University of Texas at Arlington campus. The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Evans, Sr., Mansfield mayor and longtime pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, will be the keynote speaker.
Individual tickets or a sponsorship table for eight can be purchased at utatickets.com.
MLK Step Show and Talent Showcase
The MLK Step Show and Talent Showcase is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Bowie High School Auditorium, 2101 Highbank Drive. The event is open to the public and free to attend.
MLK Poetry Meets Jazz
Experience what happens when poetry meets jazz at this event, which features poet extraordinaire Verb Kulture and some of the better poets in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This event, for adults ages 18 and older, is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, in the University Center’s Bluebonnet Ballroom on The University of Texas at Arlington campus. Admission is $20. Tickets can be purchased at utatickets.com.
MLK/Hubert Moss Ecumenical Service
This year, Cornerstone Baptist Church at 5415 Matlock Road opens its doors to host an inspiring service of hope and celebration. This event, scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, is open to the public and free to attend.
Zeb Strong Jr. MLK Day of Service
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee plans to involve hundreds of volunteers in making a difference in The American Dream City on this national holiday. Individual volunteers and volunteer groups can sign up for the Day of Service on the event’s website, ArlingtonMLK.com.
Volunteers will meet at Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex, 400 W. South St., at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16, for their community assignments, tools and supplies. The first 500 volunteers will receive a MLK T-shirt commemorating the 2023 Arlington MLK Celebration. Volunteers are asked to visit arlingtontx.gov/MLK and click on the Day of Service button to fill out the MLK Day of Service Registration Form and waiver. For more information, call 817-472-7963 or email arldayofservice@gmail.com.
MLK Day of Service Festival
In addition to celebrating Day of Service volunteers, the MLK Day of Service Festival will include face painting, the Imagination Playground, local dance troupes and exercise groups and the MLK Historical Timeline Exhibition. This event, open to the public and free to attend, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 in the City Center Plaza between City Hall and the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library.
The MLK Youth Musical Extravaganza
The MLK Youth Musical Extravaganza is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at the Fielder Church Metro Center, 2011 S. Fielder Road. This event will feature performances by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary Choir, which includes students from several Arlington ISD schools, the Step by Step Dance Studio and the Remynse Elementary School Drum Club.
Ellis Elementary School teacher Antonio Young will perform a spoken word piece on the 2023 theme. Arlington ISD Board of Trustee member Kecia Mays will emcee the extravaganza. Admission is free.
Please visit arlingtontx.gov/MLK to learn more about upcoming events and sponsorship opportunities.
