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Martin Luther King Jr. Day events

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 12, 2007

Many events will be held this month to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to celebrate the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival. The events, many taking place at the University of South Florida, culminate with an appearance by civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Sun Dome on Thursday evening.

Here is some of what is planned:

SATURDAY

Al Lopez Park Street Festival: The family festival features a variety of bands including the SOS band and Ace Factor & Reunion Band. The event continues through Sunday. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; Al Lopez Park, 4810 N Himes Ave., Tampa; free. Call toll-free 1-888-224-1733, ext. 143.

Skate party: Guest are invited to get their skate on at the Soul Roll Invitational. The invitational runs through Sunday with a number of other events. Midnight-4 a.m.; United Skates of America, 5121 N Armenia Ave., Tampa; $10-$18. Visit www.getyoursk8on.com.

MONDAY

MLK breakfast: The Tampa Organization of Black Affairs holds its annual leadership breakfast featuring guest speaker Xernona Clayton. 6:45 a.m.; Hyatt Regency Downtown, 211 N Tampa St., Tampa; $25-$400. Call 978-1898 or visit www.toba-network.org.

Heritage golf tournament: Noon; Rogers Park Golf Course, 7901 N. 30th St., Tampa; $75. Call 978-1898.

MLK parade: The annual parade plays host to local bands, organizations and clubs. The parade route starts at Blake High and ends at the University of Tampa. noon; free. Call 247-0952.

TUESDAY

HCC art exhibit: Hillsborough Community College hosts the living art exhibit Conjuring The Blues. The opening reception will feature the artist and a blues band. The exhibit runs through March 2. 6 p.m.; second floor library, HCC Dale Mabry Campus, 4001 Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa; free. Call 253-7386.

Leadership luncheon: The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival hosts a luncheon featuring guest speaker Virgil Woods. noon; University Area Community Center, 4013 N 22nd St., Tampa; $15. Call toll-free 1-888-224-1733 ext. 143.

'Get on the Bus': The 1996 Spike Lee film follows several black men on a cross-country bus trip to the Million Man March. The viewing will also feature a panel discussion concerning the meaning and message of the film. 6 p.m.; Tampa Theatre, Tampa; $5-$12. Call 1-888-224-1733, ext. 143.

Poetry slam: The ninth annual poetry slam finals will showcase five of the bay area's finest wordsmiths all competing for the grand prize of $500. The event will also feature poet Taalam Acey and will be hosted by L.I.F.E., of Black On Black Rhyme Tampa. 8 p.m.; Shark Bar, 102 S Tampa St., Tampa; $15-$30. Call 810-3582 or visit www.blackonblackrhyme.com.

JAN. 20

Gospel choir: The University of South Florida Gospel Choir presents a concert featuring an array of music. 7 p.m.; USF College of Education, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa; $10. Call 972-3409.

MLK EVENTS AT USF

Programming begins with a kick-off from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the USF MLK Plaza. A candlelight vigil will be held from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Marshall Center ballroom and MLK Plaza.

On Wednesday, author Ray Arsenault will give a lecture and sign books from 2-4 p.m. in the TECO room, which is adjacent to the College of Education. A dialogue will follow until 5:30 p.m. Arsenault is the author of Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice. Spike Lee's movie Do the Right Thing will be shown at 9 p.m. Wednesday at the MLK Plaza.

Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Sun Dome, the Rev. Jesse Jackson will deliver a lecture on making the American dream a reality. Jackson has been effective in the voter registration movement and advocated for human rights in South Africa and Haiti. He is president and founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

From noon-2 p.m. Friday a luncheon will be in the Marshall Center ballroom. RSVP required.

All events listed are free. Call (813) 974-4373.

[Last modified January 11, 2007, 22:00:06]