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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations in the South Sound

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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This year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be celebrated Jan. 20 and 2014 also marks the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Dr. King's Nobel Peace Prize. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 and it was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. In this area there are a few ways to mark the day and honor the memory of the slain civil rights leader who dedicated his life to a nonviolent campaign for social justice and equality.

Lakewood's 11th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will be taking place Jan. 18 at the Sharon McGavick Conference Center. The event will feature a wide variety of talent, from the Total Experience Gospel Choir to the Freedom Dancers to the Lakes High School Choir and more. Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson will welcome guests and the keynote speaker will be Dr. Nancy Bristow, professor of history at the University of Puget Sound.

There will also be a reading by the winner of the Clover Park School District Martin Luther King essay contest and displays by the Buffalo Soldiers Museum and Tuskegee Airmen. The celebration, which will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon, is open to the public; admission and parking are free. The conference center is located at Clover Park Technical College, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd., Lakewood.

Monday, Jan. 20, the city of Tacoma will host its 26th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration. This year's theme is based on Youth Continuing the Legacy and will include performances and honors for outstanding organizations and individuals that serve youth. Admission is free and the event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, located at 1500 Broadway in Tacoma.

It is expected to draw between 2,000-3,000 guests and even more can watch from home, since the Tacoma's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration will be aired on TV Tacoma, which is available on Comcast and Click!, and it can also be viewed here:  http://cityoftacoma.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=2.

If you want to give back, the University of Puget Sound is coordinating its annual MLK Day of Service for Jan. 20. More than 10 different service agencies across Tacoma will be asking for help that afternoon and service projects will range from outdoor clean-up to building garden beds. To register, go to www.pugetsound.edu. UPS will host a MLK celebration at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 in Schneebeck Hall on campus.

You can also explore Washington state parks for free, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. since Discover Pass will not be required Jan. 19 and 20. Parks that will be free include Millersylvania State Park in Olympia and Dash Point State Park near Tacoma. A full list can be seen here: www.parks.wa.gov/parkschedule/.

Here are more scheduled MLK celebrations in the South Sound:

FRIDAY, JAN. 17: Bates Technical College will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its annual celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 at the college's Downtown Campus Auditorium, 1101 S. Yakima Ave. in Tacoma. The community is invited to reflect on Dr. King's memorable march and historic "I Have a Dream" speech with the city's Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Dr. Dexter Gordon and local musical guest, Jerusalem's Gate.

SUNDAY, JAN. 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Redeeming the Prophetic Vision Interfaith Service and Event will be held from 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 at Urban Grace Church at 902 Market St. in downtown Tacoma.  The celebration will honor Dr. King's birthday with a keynote speech by Dr. Dexter Gordon, professor of African-American studies at University of Puget Sound.  Performances will feature a new theatrical creation from C. Rosalind Bell, spoken word, African drumming, and group singing of civil rights-era songs.  Awards will be presented for individual long-term service toward social justice.  A reception will follow in the lower level of the church with a resource fair and refreshments.

MONDAY, JAN. 20: Community members are also invited to participate in the annual March on MLK at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20. The marchers will meet at 8 a.m. for refreshments at Bates Technical College's Downtown Campus cafeteria on 11th Street and Yakima Avenue, and will begin to march to the city's Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration held at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center at 9 a.m. A shuttle will be available to return marchers to the Downtown Campus following the city's celebration, which begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.

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