Martin Luther King Day-related events

The 30th annual Gainesville/Alachua County Commemorative Celebration to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be begin on Sunday. The theme this year is "30 Years: The Legacy of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida Inc." The celebration is sponsored each year by the King Commission and its community partners.

Pre-King Celebration activities

Sunday

6:30 p.m.: The 29th annual Hall of Fame Banquet, with social hour at 5:30 p.m., Best Western Plus Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Blvd. Speaker: Rodney Long, president and founder of the King Commission. Tickets: $65. (352-376-2442)

Tuesday

6:30 p.m.: "Remembering Martin" Gospel Concert, Ignite Life Center, 404 NW 14th Ave., featuring Paul Porter, the King Celebration Choir and the Praize 107.5 Chorale. (352-376-2442)

Wednesday

6 p.m.: Restoration of Rights, Expunging of Records and Re-Entry Educational Workshop, King Center, 1028 NE 14th St. (352-273-0800)

Thursday

6 p.m.: 9th annual Black History Cultural Brain Bowl and 5th annual Spelling Bee, King Center, (352-222-9425)

Friday

7 p.m.: 4th annual Youth Talent Extravaganza, King Center (352-246-8071)

Jan. 18

10 a.m.: "Road to Zero" Block Party, King Center (305-951-2806)

7 p.m.: An Evening of Praise and Worship, featuring Luther Barnes, King Center. Tickets: $7 in advance and $12 at the door. (352-372-8200)

Sunday, Jan. 19

10 a.m.: Nu Eta Lambda and Theta Sigma chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Martin Luther King Celebration, Dayspring Baptist Church, 1945 NE Eighth Ave.

11 a.m.: Annual MLK Tribute, Pleasant Plain United Methodist Church, 1910 NW 166th St., Jonesville (352-377-5022/352-665-4066)

11 a.m.: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., joint Founder's Day service, Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 718 SE 11th St. Thomas Coward will be honored. (gainesvillezetas@yahoo.com/darry1914@aol.com)

King Celebration holiday activities

Jan. 20

10:30 a.m.: National Holiday Press Conference, King Memorial Garden, 200 E. University Ave. (352-376-2442)

11 a.m.: Hall of Fame Enshrinement Program, King Memorial Garden, with Hall of Fame honoree Tony Jones. (352-376-2442)

Noon: National Holiday Kick-Off Program, Bo Diddley Downtown Community Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. Speaker: Raven Delk, recipient, Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award. (352-870-5869)

1 p.m.: King Celebration Commemorative March, King Memorial Garden to King Center. (352-294-0226)

2 p.m.: National Holiday Gospel Program, King Center, featuring Jonathan Vickers of Ocala. (352-380-9119)

Post-King Celebration activities

Jan 21

6 p.m.: "Remembering Coretta" observance program, Upper Room Church of God in Christ, 3575 NE 15th St. (352-246-8071)

7 p.m.: UF MLK program, Reitz Union Grand Ballroom. Speaker: The rapper known as Common. (www.ufmlk.org)

Wednesday, Jan. 22

6 p.m.: Alachua County Empowerment Revival, featuring the Voices of Empowerment Choir, Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 718 SE 11th St. Speaker: The Rev. Delores Cain of Tampa.

Jan. 23

6 p.m.: Alachua County Empowerment Revival, featuring the University of Florida Gospel Choir, Mount Moriah. Speakers: Attorney Daryl Parks, Trayvon Martin's family lawyer, and the Rev. Cain.

Jan. 24

10:30 a.m.: Fostering Campus Dialogue on Diversity and Inclusion, Reitz Union Ballroom. Speaker, Dr. Damon Williams, formerly of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (www.ufmlk.org)

6 p.m.: Alachua County Empowerment Revival, featuring the Voices of Empowerment Choir, Mount Moriah. Speakers: The Rev. Kathy Long-Richardson of Gainesville and the Rev. Cain.

Jan. 24-26 and Jan. 31

8 p.m. and 3 p.m.: Theatrical production of "Mountain Top," The Actors' Warehouse, 608 N. Main St. Tickets $12-$15.