Welcome to the first “Go Metro Weekends” of 2016 Source Readers and Metro Riders!
January is the month of resolutions. It’s also the month of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (Jan. 15) and the hard-won federal holiday celebrating it (this Monday, Jan. 18).
Dr. King is famous for his “I Have a Dream” speech, articulating his vision of social equality in the United States. But this “dream” was really more like a resolution, because King didn’t just hope for it — he set out tirelessly to achieve it. Now, I don’t want to speak for everyone, but when I reflect back on my own resolutions from New Years past, they tend to be… if not selfish, certainly self-focused.
Celebrate King’s life and legacy at the following transit-adjacent events and perhaps commit to making his resolution your own in the new year:
The 31st-annual Kingdom Day Parade. The largest celebration of MLK Day in the nation, includes equestrian units, drill teams, bands, floats, drums lines, dancers and over a hundred local politicians, radio stations and local/national businesses. Begins Monday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Arlington Avenue. Metro also has an entry in parade: a replica of the Rosa Park bus in honor of the 61st anniversary of her historic stand. (Metro Expo Line to Expo/Western Station and walk 10 minutes south on Western Ave to Western/Martin Luther King. *Please be aware that Leimert Park-area buses such as the Rapid 757 can get you close to the parade route, but will be on detour from their regular routes.
Long Beach’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace & Unity Parade and Celebration. Starts at 10:30 a.m. on Martin Luther King Avenue and Anaheim Street, and is followed by music, carnival rides, food and other festivities in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Avenue, Long Beach). (For the parade, take Metro Blue Line to Anaheim St. Station and walk 10 minutes east on Anaheim St. to Anaheim/Martin Luther King. For the festival, take Metro Blue Line to PCH Station and walk 20 minutes east on PCH and north on Lemon Ave OR catch Long Beach Transit bus 171, 172 or 173 to PCH/Martin Luther King.)
“Cake for King” Community Celebration at the California African American Museum. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy birthday cake, arts activities, gospel and drum performances and a special Martin Luther King, Jr. photo exhibit. Admission to the museum is free, and its galleries will remain open until 5 p.m., so you can check out additional stellar exhibits as well. (Metro Expo Line to Expo Park/USC Station.)
LACMA offers free admission this Monday, Jan. 18 in honor of the holiday. (Metro Rapid 720 to Wilshire/Fairfax or Bus 20 to Wilshire/Curson.)
Martin Luther King Jr. Storytime at Children’s Book World. A great event for the little ones: celebrated storyteller Michael D. McCarty presents a program of stories from African American history and culture that will inform, educate and entertain. This Saturday, Jan. 16 at 10:30 a.m. (Culver City Bus 3 to W. Pico/Manning.)
Please note that Metro buses and trains will be running on their regular Monday schedules. And finally, a few helpful links for navigating our system:
- Metro trip planner
- Google Maps transit directions
- All Metro bus and rail maps and timetables
- Metro system map
- Metro Rail and transitway interactive map
- Fares and TAP card info
- How to Ride
- Nextrip real-time bus and train arrival information
Categories: Go Metro
We want MORE MORE MORE METRO…….public transportation
After seeing those old bus pictures above, I have to say I am glad times have changed and we do not have them any longer. I remember ridding them and they were horrible buses.