Tampa’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade begins at noon Monday. Last year, Lamar Gilbert III, left, Maurion Chapman, center, and DaQuavia Glover represented Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in the parade.
Tributes to mark the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. take place all over the Tampa Bay area this weekend, including an appearance at the University of South Florida by Antwone Fisher, who wrote his self-titled film, and the annual Drum Major for Justice marching band competition and parade in St. Petersburg.
The annual Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival also is scheduled to coincide with the holiday this year. Here are some of the highlights:
Continuing
"Rosewood . . . The Beginning That Never Ends," traveling exhibit about the Rosewood Massacre, part of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus, 14th Street and Palm Avenue, Tampa, through Jan. 24. Free.
Today
"We're Still Standing; We're Still Here," USF Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with featured speaker Antwone Fisher. Fisher speaks at 6:30 p.m. in the Special Events Center at the University of South Florida in Tampa, 4202 E Fowler Ave. Free. (813) 974-5111.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute, "In Service to the Community," ninth annual tribute with Fred Johnson, gospel choir, Katurah Robinson, John Parks and the Community Arts Ensemble Voice and Dance Project dancers, Mary Upshaw Production Company and others. 7 p.m. today, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. Tickets free available at center ticket office. (813) 229-7827 or toll-free 1-800-955-1045 (outside of the Tampa Bay area); or www.tbpac.org
Friday
Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival poetry slam finals, 9 p.m., 102 S Tampa St. $5. 813 218-3843 or www.tampablackheritage.org
Saturday
Tarpon Springs' Dr. M.L. King Jr. Parade and Celebration, begins at 2 p.m. at Tarpon Avenue and Ring Street, moves west on Tarpon to Pinellas Avenue, south on Pinellas to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, east on King, then south on Disston, ending at Dorset Park. A family festival in the park with with reggae music, food and drink runs from noon to 5 p.m.
National Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Festival of Bands, with performing marching bands from around the nation. Annual event is sponsored by Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Florida Martin Luther King Institute for Nonviolence. 5 p.m., Tropicana Field, 16th Street and First Avenue S, St. Petersburg. $5 general, $10 VIP club level. (727) 327-0085.
Black Heritage Street Festival, street festival portion of Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, features an entertainment stage and various focus tents. Entertainment by the Zapp Band (3:15 p.m.), area high schools Drumline Exhibition (11 a.m. Sat.), and hip-hop, R&B, reggae, more. Exhibit tents by African Art Gallery, Books for Thought, Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance (employer opportunity tent) and children's health tent. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., University of South Florida, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Fowler Avenue. (813) 218-3843. Free.
Sunday
Black Heritage Street Festival continues. Highlights include entertainment by Miki Howard (3:30 p.m.), gospel music (5 p.m.), 10 a.m.-6 p.m., University of South Florida, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Fowler Avenue. (813) 218-3843. Free.
Gospel concert at 5 p.m., Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church, 400 S Levis Ave., Tarpon Springs. Free, but an offering will be taken. (727) 937-7015.
M.L. King Ecumenical Worship Service, "In the Spirit of the Dream," with Rev. Nathaniel Tindall, former pastor of several St. Petersburg congregations, now an attorney and civic activist in Tampa. Also choir music, congregationing singing, readings and prayers from various faith traditions. 4 p.m., Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Offering taken. (727) 867-7067.
Monday
Clearwater MLK March and Rally, lineup begins 10 a.m., march begins about 11 a.m., moves from Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center at 1201 Douglas Ave. to Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater. Rally follows in the park around noon, with talk by keynote speaker Rev. Julius C. Hope, national director of religious affairs for the NAACP. (727) 443-2974.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, Tampa, begins at noon at Blake High School, 1701 N Boulevard, moves west on Main Street, then goes south on Willow, east on Cypress Street and south on N Boulevard to Pepin Rood Stadium at the University of Tampa, Cass and N Boulevard, downtown Tampa. (813) 247-0952. Free.
Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Parade with marching bands from around the United States; sponsored by Florida Martin Luther King Institute for Nonviolence and Southern Christian Leadership Conference. 1:15-4 p.m. Begins on Third Avenue S and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in downtown St. Petersburg, then moves north on King to Central Avenue, east on Central to Bayshore Drive, north on Bayshore to the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. (727) 327-0085. Free.
After the parade, the celebration moves to 15th Avenue S and King Street for a Rap Festival hosted by Smokie Da' Bear and Senor Salu'. More than 20 acts, including 2-Below and Southhouse, have been invited. The show is from 4 to 8 p.m.; free admission. Call (727) 327-4890 for information.
