The Arlington, Texas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration - 2019

Download Arlington MLK Events Flyer here.

6:30 Friday, January 18, 2019

MLK “ADVANCING THE DREAM” AWARDS BANQUET Join us for dinner, live musical entertainment, performances, scholarship presentations and awards as we kick off four days of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations in Arlington. Individual Tickets: $55  I  Reserve your table of eight guests: $440 Purchase at UTATickets.com. Keynote speaker: Donna Brazile, a veteran Democratic political strategist, adjunct professor, author, syndicated columnist, and television political commentator NBC 5 Reporter Courtney Gilmore will serve as our celebrity emcee. Location: The Bluebonnet Ballroom at UT Arlington.  The ballroom is located in the  E.H. Hereford University Center at 300 W. First St. Hostesses/Seating of Banquet Guests: Members of the Arlington  Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Scholarships made possible by Atmos Energy.

11 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019

The MLK STEP COMPETITION Celebrating the birthday of Dr. King, this event features the best in elementary, junior high and high school stepping.  Judges determine which step performances best embody the spirit of the celebration. Cash prizes to winning teams. Admission: $10 at Door, $5 Admission for all elementary students and children under age 5 Limited number of $5 pre-sale tickets available at the AISD Administration Building, 1203 W. Pioneer Parkway. Location:  James Bowie High School Auditorium, 2101 Highbank Drive in Arlington.

7 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019

POETRY MEETS JAZZ Verb Kulture and the music of Shelley Carroll come together to explore jazz and petry through an evening of nostalgic jazz and inspiring poetry performances. Location: UT Arlington in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. The ballroom is located in the E.H. Hereford University Center, 300 W. First St. $20 Admission  I  Purchase online here. 

6 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019

DR. KING/HUBERT MOSS ECUMENICAL SERVICE For nearly three decades, this service continues to evoke the memories of two servants of the church. One served as a global leader for justice and peace and the other served his community. In this spirit of cooperation, this service is a shared ecumenical experience for all. Performances will feature the Boys and Girls Choir and Psalm Sacred Dancers with keynote speaker, Dr. Jack Thomas, president of Western Illinois University. Location:  First United Methodist Church of Arlington, 313 N. Center St. After the Service: Join us for a MLK Holiday Reception hosted by the Xi Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

9 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2019

ZEB STRONG JR. MLK DAY OF SERVICE  Make it a day on, not a day off!  People of all ages, service organizations, schools, fraternities, sororities, and churches work together to make a positive impact on the community around them. Volunteers gather at Mission Arlington/ Mission Metroplex for tools, supplies, and assignments. The first 300 volunteers will receive a FREE MLK commemorative T-shirt. Thank You! Continental breakfast for volunteers provided by the Arlington Alumni Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. 

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday, January 21, 2019

MLK DAY OF SERVICE FESTIVAL Join us for a celebration including the MLK essay winner, local dance troupes and exercise groups, face painting, food trucks, storytime and MLK videos. Location:  Plaza off Center Street between City Hall and the Downtown Library

6:30 p.m. Monday, January 21, 2019

MLK YOUTH MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA On the Dr. King holiday, more than 400 youth voices join together in song as the Arlington, Texas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Choir.  This youth musical extravaganza also features dancing, drummers and exciting performances from the winners of the MLK Advancing the Dream Step Competition. FREE Admission! Location:  Metro Center,  Fielder Church, 2011 S. Fielder Street

HISTORICAL TIMELINE Exhibit banners displaying a historical timeline of events related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s influence in the world will be on display at all events. ABOUT THE PLANNING COMMITTEE Since 1989, the Arlington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Celebration Committee has been comprised o the following founding entities: The City of Arlington, UT Arlington, Arlington Independent School District, Tarrant  County College and Arlington Ministerial Association with generous support from many sponsors,  contributors and hundreds of volunteers. Every year, the chairmanship role rotates between the founding entities. This year, Arlington ISD is proud to lead the planning of the four-day celebration. Aaron Perales, Leslie Birdow and Linh Nguyen are serving as the 2018 MLK Celebration Committee Chairs. Click here for sponsorship opportunities. For more information about the Arlington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, including interviews with participants and honorees, call 682-867-7201, 817-368-0527 or email [email protected].