Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations and service opportunities in Oakland, 2013
on January 18, 2013
From park clean-ups to film festivals to musical performances, there are plenty of ways to honor civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. in 2013. Know of any events we missed? Please add them in the comments!
And don’t forget to read our story about the Apollos, the group of Oakland high school students who helped make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a California holiday in the first place — they are now lobbying to make the entire month of January a celebration in his memory.
Saturday January 19
In The Name of Love: Tribute to Martin Luther King
7 pm
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland
A tribute to the civil rights leader starring Jennifer Holliday, Tuck & Patti, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and Oakland Children’s Community Choir. More information here.
Sunday January 20
OMCA Family: Celebrate MLK Day
Noon – 3 pm
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland
Winners from Oakland Unified School District’s Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Festival read their poetry, and create a dream bottle. Free with museum admission. More information here.
Monday January 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Celebration
10 am – noon
McClymond’s High School, 2607 Myrtle Street, Oakland
This year’s event focuses on the theme “Elders Make the Dream Real for Educating Youth” and honors local volunteers. With keynote speaker Dr. Wade Nobles and performances by the Oakland Interfaith Youth Gospel Chorus, the Martin Luther King Elementary Choir, Ballet Folklorico de Frank Zapata, China’s Spirit Music Ensemble and many more. More information here.
Annual MLK Film Festival
11 am – 4 pm
The African American Museum & Library at Oakland, 659 14th Street, Oakland
The library presents a screening of three documentaries exploring the history of the civil rights movement. More information here.
Urban Releaf 5th Annual MLK Day of Service Tree Planting
10:00am to 2:00pm
27th and Market Street, Oakland, CA
Help plant 40 new trees in West Oakland, plus enjoy a celebration that includes folk dance by Mixcoalt Anahuac, horse rides by the Oakland Black Cowboy Association, live music, and food for sale from Taste of Africa. More information here.
Martin Luther King Day of Service 2013
8:30 am to Noon
Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline Park, Oakland
Park and meet at the Oak Port Athletic Field, 5737 Oakport Street, Oakland
The East Bay Parks District asks for volunteers to help clean up the shoreline and remove invasive plants. Bring comfortable work clothes, closed-toe shoes, a water bottle and a bucket for collecting trash. To register call 1 888 EBPARKS or go to www.ebparks.org.
Alameda County Community Food Bank MLK Jr. Day of Service
9 am – noon
Alameda County Community Food Bank, 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland
The food bank will hold a food drive to collect shelf-stable goods. High protein items such as canned tuna and chicken are most needed. Volunteers needed, as well as canned food donations. You can also contribute funds online as part of the “virtual food drive.” Please pre-register if you would like to volunteer for a shift at the food bank. More information here.
Bella Vista Park Spruce Up
9 – 11 am
Bella Vista Park, 2631 11th Avenue, Oakland
Pick up litter, remove graffiti and prep for a mural. More information here.
MLK Day of Service 2013, The Gardens at Lake Merritt
9 am – 1 pm
The Gardens at Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue Ave. Oakland
Weeding, mulching, path clearing and tree planting. To register go to www.MLKchallenge.org. More information here.
Fruitvale Community and Lazear Elementary School MLK day of Service 2013
9 am – 1 pm
824 29th Avenue, Oakland
Volunteers are needed to do school clean up and gardening work. More information here.
Martin Luther King Day of Service at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park
9 am – noon
Peralta Hacienda Historical Park: 2465 34th Avenue, Oakland
Help clean up the park by removing weeds, trash and grafitti. More information here.
MLK Day of Service at Dover Street Park
2 – 4 pm
5707 Dover Street, Oakland
Phat Beets Produce offers a pot luck and skill-sharing afternoon in the park. More information here.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally
10 am – 2 pm
ILWU LOCAL #6 Hall, 99 Hegenberger Road, Oakland
Local unions and politicians host a rally to support non-violence and education. Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) will offer the keynote address. More information here.
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[…] Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day is a chance to start the year off right by making an impact in your community. There’s no no shortage of events and volunteering opportunities this weekend around the Bay Area. If you’re interested in volunteering in Oakland, please check out the events at the Oakland North blog! […]