March, art exhibits and more planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in New Orleans
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New Orleans joins the rest of the country this weekend in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Why it matters: New Orleans was one of the first major cities to host a Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S., several years before it became a national holiday.
The big picture: There are several events planned this weekend, including a memorial service and march.
🎶 The annual Martin Luther King Jr. choral concert is at 6pm Thursday at the University of New Orleans' University Center ballroom.
🖼️ The Ashé Cultural Arts Center hosts the opening reception at noon Saturday for the National Conference of Artists Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative art exhibition. (Details)
🎺 Terence Blanchard will perform his piece, "A Tale of God's Will: A Requiem for Katrina," at 8pm Saturday at the Orpheum. (Tickets)
🙏🏾 Holy Faith Temple Baptist Church hosts the 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service at noon Sunday. It will feature speeches, music and a short documentary. (Details)
🗣️ Jefferson Parish hosts a banquet at 7pm Monday at the Four Columns in Harvey. Speakers will share their thoughts about King's enduring legacy. Call 504-777-1057 for details.
Marches and parades
🎉 New Orleans' 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march starts at 10am Monday at A.L. Davis Park.
🎊 Jefferson Parish's 38th annual parade starts at 9:45am Monday at L.W. High School in Marrero.
- It will go east on Lapalco Boulevard and end at Johnny Jacobs Park.
🤩 Kenner's 41st annual parade starts at 11am Monday at Providence Baptist Church. It ends at the A.P. Clay Center, where there will be a program honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Other options
🫶 Several places are hosting a day of service on Monday, including Sankofa Vegetable Farm, St. Luke's Episcopal Church and City Park.
🎨 A Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative art exhibition is on display at the Rosa Keller library. (Details)
- "The Trail They Blazed" is a self-guided exhibition on display at the library's REACH Center. (Details)
👀 You can also visit the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum or do a self-guided tour of the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail.
Go deeper: New Orleans was one of the 1st cities to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional events.