martin-luther-king-jr-sftart-web.jpgFriday, January 15

Coral Springs: The Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs, is producing a drama-filled evening dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. The celebration will feature music, song, dance and drama; as well as art and literary work submitted by local students. Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children. The show begins at 7 p.m. For more information, please call 954-344-1005.
Homestead: Robert G. Beatty, publisher of the South Florida Times, will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. annual breakfast in Homestead. The free event will take place at 8 a.m. at the Phicol Williams Community Center, 951 SW 4th St. in Homestead. To RSVP or for additional information, call 305-224-4452.

Saturday, January 16

West Perrine: The West Perrine CDC will hold a Martin Luther King parade that will begin at 10 a.m. at U.S. 1 and Eureka Drive, and continue to 16940 SW 104 Ave. For more information, call 305-251-5000.

Lauderhill: The City of Lauderhill and The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force will present the 10th Annual Martin Luther King Official program. This year’s guest speaker is syndicated columnist and journalist Roland Martin, who is a CNN contributor. The program begins at 7 p.m. at the Diamente’s Banquet Center, 6501 W. Commercial Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $50 and are selling quickly, so order now! Evening attire recommended. For more information, please call 954-730- 3000.
 
Broward County: The African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard near Fort Lauderdale, will host a day-long celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m., ending at 5:30 p.m. It features a variety of activities including a teen summit, musical guests and a step show performance. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 954-625-2800.
 
Coconut Grove: The Coconut Grove Library Branch, 2875 McFarlane Rd. in Coconut Grove, is holding a crafts and trivia game program for children. The event features information about Martin Luther King Jr. The program is free and starts at 2 p.m. For more information, please call 305-442-8695.
 

Sunday, January 17

Davie: Potters Park, 4300 S.E. 57th Terr. in Davie, is hosting a celebration picnic honoring Martin Luther King Jr. from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include a praise dance program, bounce house, petting farm and a free lunch. For more information, please call 954-797-1163.

Monday, January 18

Betty Wright and Judge Mathis: The 5000 Role Models of Excellence will host a 7 a.m. breakfast featuring Judge Mathis as the keynote speaker. R&B recording artist Betty Wright will provide the musical entertainment. The event will take place at Parrot Jungle, 1111 Parrott Jungle Trail in Miami. For more information, call  305-400-7000.

Liberty City: A Martin Luther King parade and festivities will take place at 11 a.m. beginning at Northwest 10th Avenue and 54th Street in Liberty City, and continuing to Martin Luther King Jr. Park at the corner of Northwest 37th Avenue and 62nd Street.

Miami Gardens: A Martin Luther King parade and festivities will take place in Miami Gardens at Miami Carol City Park, 3201 NW 185th Street from noon to 5 p.m. The free community event is open to all in South Florida. Special invited guests include Nappy Boy Family featuring Grammy-nominated national recording artist T-Pain, Sophia Fresh, Young Cash, Tay Dizm and One Chance along with Pleasure P.  For more information, call Stephanie Saenz, Events & Media Planner at 305-622-8000, ext. 2482,  or email ssaenz@miamigardens-fl.gov.
 
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Interfaith Prayer Breakfast: Florida Memorial University, 15800 N.W. 42nd Avenue in Miami Gardens will host a Community Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. The event features the Rev. Dr. Harry S. Wright, pastor emeritus of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn. Other participants include Imam Mikal Hamin of Masjid al Ansar of Liberty City, Rabbi Gary Glickstein of Temple Beth Shalom, Shaikh Malauna Shafayet Mohammad of Darul Uloom Institute, the Rev. John Cox of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and the Rev. John White II of Mount Hermon AME Church in Miami Gardens. The breakfast starts at 8 a.m. in the university’s Smith Conference Center. Tickets are $10 for individuals and $80 for a table. For more information or to RSVP, please email Wendell.paris@fmuniv.edu or call 305-626-3762.

Tuesday, January 19

Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” Puppet Show: The Oakland Park Library, 1298 NE 37th St. in Oakland Park, will host a special family night.  In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, children of all ages are invited to attend a free “I Have a Dream” puppet show, then share their dreams for the future. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please call 954-630-4372.

Saturday, January 23

Martin Luther King Jr. Story Hour: Allapattah Branch Library, 1799 N.W. 35th St. in Miami offers a laid-back way to remember Martin Luther King Jr. for children: They can listen to poems and stories about the slain civil rights leader’s life. The program starts at 3 p.m. and is free. For more information, please call 305-638-6086.

Kaila.Heard@Gmail.com

Photo: Staff Illustration