Arlington’s Four-Day Martin Luther King Jr ‘Advancing the Dream’ Celebration Set for Jan. 13-16, 2023
By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication
Posted on January 03, 2023, January 03, 2023

The annual Arlington Martin Luther King, Jr. "Advancing the Dream" Celebration is set for Jan. 13-16, 2023.

As one of the largest celebrations in the state, this four-day event attracts thousands of Arlington-area residents each year. The theme for this year’s festivities, organized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, is “Advancing the Dream: Moving Toward Unity, Justice and Peace.” Please visit www.arlingtontx.gov/MLK to learn more about upcoming events and sponsorship opportunities. 

The MLK Advancing the Dream Gala

This celebratory weekend kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13 with the MLK Advancing the Dream Gala. The event, which includes dinner, special tributes, entertainment and scholarship and award announcements, will be held in the University Center’s Bluebonnet Ballroom on The University of Texas at Arlington campus. The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Evans, Sr., Mansfield mayor and longtime pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, will be the keynote speaker. Individual tickets or a sponsorship table for eight can be purchased at www.utatickets.com

MLK Step Show and Talent Showcase

The MLK Step Show and Talent Showcase is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Bowie High School Auditorium, 2101 Highbank Drive. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

MLK Poetry Meets Jazz

Experience what happens when poetry meets jazz at this event, which features poet extraordinaire Verb Kulture and some of the best poets in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This event, for adults ages 18 and older, is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 in the University Center’s Bluebonnet Ballroom on The University of Texas at Arlington campus. Admission is $20. Tickets can be purchased at www.utatickets.com.

MLK/Hubert Moss Ecumenical Service

This year, Cornerstone Baptist Church at 5415 Matlock Road opens its doors to host an inspiring service of hope and celebration. This event, scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, is open to the public and free to attend.

Zeb Strong Jr. MLK Day of Service

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee plans to involve hundreds of volunteers in making a difference in The American Dream City on this national holiday. Individual volunteers and volunteer groups can sign up for the Day of Service on the event's website, www.ArlingtonMLK.com

Volunteers will meet at Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex, 400 W. South St., at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 for their community assignments, tools and supplies. The first 500 volunteers will receive a MLK T-shirt commemorating the 2023 Arlington MLK Celebration. Volunteers are asked to visit www.arlingtontx.gov/mlk and click on the Day of Service button to fill out the MLK Day of Service Registration Form and waiver. For more information, call 817-472-7963 or email [email protected].

MLK Day of Service Festival

In addition to celebrating Day of Service volunteers, the MLK Day of Service Festival will include face painting, the Imagination Playground, local dance troupes and exercise groups and the MLK Historical Timeline Exhibition. This event, open to the public and free to attend, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 in the City Center Plaza between City Hall and the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library.

Additionally, the Texas Health Resources Wellness for Life Mobile Health Unit will be on site from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. offering screening mammograms, well woman exams and take home colon cancer test kits. An appointment can be made in advance from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 855-318-7696. Participants with appointments are asked to bring their insurance card and drivers license or state-issued identification card. Fully funded screenings are available to women without insurance who qualify. Click here to download a flyer for more details. 

The MLK Youth Musical Extravaganza

The MLK Youth Musical Extravaganza is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at the Fielder Church Metro Center, 2011 S. Fielder Road. This event will feature performances by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary Choir, which includes students from several Arlington ISD schools, the Step by Step Dance Studio and the Remynse Elementary School Drum Club. Ellis Elementary School teacher Antonio Young will perform a spoken word piece on the 2023 theme. Arlington ISD Board of Trustee member Kecia Mays will emcee the extravaganza. Admission is free. The annual Arlington Martin Luther King, Jr. "Advancing the Dream" Celebration is set for Jan. 13-16, 2023.

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