Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

RSVP

King legacy lives on in tribute

Looking for something to do? Here's a super calendar, ranging from Russian dance to Top Dog.

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 14, 2005

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Across the country, hundreds of communities have renamed thoroughfares, created parks and set aside holidays to honor a slain civil rights leader. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life ended after he was shot by a sniper in 1968, would have been 76 on Saturday.

A pivotal leader of the American civil rights movement, King promoted nonviolent means to achieve civil rights reform.

On a trip to India in 1959, King met with followers of Mahatma Gandhi and became convinced that nonviolent resistance was the most potent weapon available to oppressed people.

As a pastor of a Baptist church in Montgomery, Ala., King led a bus boycott. He and 90 others were arrested and indicted under the provisions of a law making it illegal to conspire to obstruct the operation of a business.

King and several others were found guilty but appealed their case. As the bus boycott dragged on, he was gaining a national reputation. The ultimate success of the Montgomery bus boycott made him a national hero.

In 1963, King led a massive march on Washington, D.C., where he delivered his now famous I Have A Dream speech.

H e was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize for his combined efforts.

Commemorate King's legacy during the 10th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Hosted by Fred Johnson, the program includes music, storytelling and dance. Tickets are free. For information, call 229-7827.

GASPARILLA EXHIBIT: Aargh, mateys. Gasparilla turns 101 later this month, so the festivities shall begin. Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition, an exhibit at the University of Tampa's Henry B. Plant Museum, displays early photographs, rare artifacts and authentic costumes. The exhibit runs today through Feb. 20. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays; Henry B. Plant Museum at UT, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., downtown Tampa; $2-$5. Call 258-7302.

GALACTIC: The New Orleans jazz-funk ensemble Galactic formed in 1994. Originally an eight-piece band, the group soon pared down to an instrumental sextet. Their latest album, Ruckus, features 11 new tracks. 7 p.m.; Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg; $23. Call (727) 896-1244.

GOING TO THE DOGS: Don't expect the American Kennel Club National Championship to be exactly like the movie Best in Show, a spoof of dog competitions. But much like the tongue-in-cheek film, these AKC people take their pooches doggone seriously. See the crowning of the "World's Top Dog." Shows are 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St., downtown Tampa, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa. Single-day $19.75, two-day $28.50. Call 301-2500.

"WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION': In Billy Wilder's screen adaptation of Agatha Christie's story and play, prominent lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) defends Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), who is accused of murdering a wealthy widow. In Christie fashion, twists and turns abound, especially with the plot twist at the end. Also starring Marlene Dietrich and Elsa Lanchester, the 1957 film is being shown as part of the Tampa Theatre's Winter Classic Movie Series. 3 p.m.; Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., downtown Tampa; $6-$7. Call 274-8982.

THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA: As part of the Masterworks Concert Series, conductor Stefan Sanderling leads pianist Lilya Zilberstein and the Florida Orchestra for the Rock with Rachmaninoff Festival. 7:30 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa; $22.50-$50.50. Call 286-1170.

JOE COCKER: Rocker Joe Cocker first found career success after he sang the Beatles' A Little Help From My Friends at the Woodstock festival in 1969. After celebrating a string of hits in the United Kingdom, Cocker later churned out hits in the United States such as The Letter, the romantic ballad You Are So Beautiful and a duet with Jennifer Warnes on Up Where We Belong, from the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $39.75-$70. Call (727) 791-7400.

RUSSIAN DANCE: The Moiseyev Dance Company of Moscow features costumed folk dance, theater, ballet and opera. 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $30-$42. Call (727) 791-7400.

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY? Frankie Valli launched a solo career in 1965 after several years of chart-topping success, while continuing with the group rebilled as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. He will perform classics such as Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, My Eyes Adored You and Grease. Also performing will be Dion (Donna the Prima Donna, Ruby Baby). 8 p.m.; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; $39.50-$75 . Call (727) 791-7400.

NEW IN THEATERS:

In Good Company

Hotel Rwanda

House of Flying Daggers

Coach Carter

ElektraB>

> Racing Stripes

COMING SOON:

Assault on Precinct 13 (Jan. 19)

FULL MONTY: Jan. 22, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

TIM CONWAY AND HARVEY KORMAN: Jan. 23, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

JOSH GROBAN: Jan. 25, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.

AMY GRANT: Jan. 25, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES: Jan. 27, Tampa Theatre, Tampa.

GEORGE CLINTON: Jan. 27, Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg.

BERNADETTE PETERS: Jan. 27, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater.

DAVID COPPERFIELD: Jan. 28, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.

HANK WILLIAMS JR.: Jan. 29, Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa.

SECOND CITY 45TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR: Jan. 29, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.

HAIRSPRAY: Feb. 1-13, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.

WILCO: Feb. 16, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa.

ELVIS COSTELLO: March 5, Tampa Theatre, Tampa.

[Last modified January 13, 2005, 10:13:09]