‘I HAVE A DREAM’: HAVE WE MADE PROGRESS? This week marks the 55th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s profound “I Have A Dream” speech, delivered in 1963 to some 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Today the Pomona Valley chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is celebrating with a free and open to the public viewing and panel discussion of the historic speech from 6 to 8 p.m. at The African American Museum of Beginnings, 1460 E. Holt Ave., Pomona, entrance 3.
JAZZ VESPERS TUNE INTO LABOR: Claremont Presbyterian Church’s Jazz Vespers perform a free and open 6 p.m. concert with the Ron Kobayshi Trio and vocalist Debbi Ebert, all around the theme of labor. The church is at 1111 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont. “Labor Day is coming,” a press release read. “That got some of us here at Claremont Presbyterian thinking; what do we labor for? In the Christian tradition we are encouraged to labor for justice. So this Jazz Vespers is dedicated to the people and organizations that labor for a more just world.
CONCERT IN THE PARK: Claremont’s annual free Concerts in the Park series continues at 7 p.m. with a night of traditional Irish music and dance with Spirit of Ireland, with Michael Ryan and friends, featuring members of Craic Haus and the Tamara School of Irish Dance. The Monday concerts at Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd., start at 7 p.m. and run through Labor Day, September 3. Here’s the rest of this year’s lineup: August 27:?Suavé; September 3: The Answer. For more information call (909) 399-5490 or email specialevents@ci.claremont.ca.us.
LIVE MUSIC IN THE VILLAGE: The city’s free concert series Friday Nights Live continues with the smooth guitar-driven jazz of the Marc Weller Combo at Laemmle plaza; Mike’s Guitar World at the chamber of commerce; Patrick Carrico Band at Shelton Park; and Ana Maria de la Cruz at city hall. Friday Nights Live runs from 6 to 9 p.m. through October. More information is at claremontchamber.org.
NIGHT BLOOMING JAZZMEN: Claremont’s annual free Concerts in the Park series continues at 7 p.m. Monday with local treasures Night Blooming Jazzmen. The Monday concerts at Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd., start at 7 p.m. and run through Labor Day, September 3. Remember to bring blankets and low chairs. The Kiwanis Club provides a variety of food concessions, and dogs and alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
SILVERADOS IN THE PARK: Claremont’s annual free Concerts in the Park series continues at 7 p.m. with The Silverados. The Monday concerts at Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd., start at 7 p.m. and run through Labor Day, September 3. Remember to bring blankets and low chairs. The Kiwanis Club provides a variety of food concessions, and dogs and alcoholic beverages are not allowed, as again, nobody likes a drunken dog.
BEATLES TUNES IN THE PARK: Claremont’s annual free Concerts in the Park series continues at 7 p.m. with 1990s music from Beatles cover band the Fab 8. The Monday concerts at Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd., start at 7 p.m. and run through Labor Day, September 3. Remember to bring blankets and low chairs. The Kiwanis Club provides a variety of food concessions, and dogs and alcoholic beverages are not allowed, as again, nobody likes a drunken dog.
CMA OPENS NEW SHOW FRIDAY: Claremont Museum of Art, at 200 W. First St., opens “Intersecting at the Edge,” at noon today. The exhibition juxtaposes recent works by Los Angeles artists Heather Gwen Martin and Eric Zammitt with paintings and sculptures by seminal Claremont artist Karl Benjamin. The exhibition, which is curated by Los Angeles-based artist Dion Johnson and sponsored by Louis Stern Fine Arts and Beverly and Beth Benjamin, will be on view through September 16.
MOVIE TUNES IN THE PARK: Claremont Symphony Orchestra’s free and open to the public Summer Pops Concert takes place at 7 p.m. at Ganesha Park, 1575 N. White Ave., Pomona. Music includes selections from Jurassic Park, Wonder Woman, Hamilton, Les Misérables and others, with a Sousa march and a Looney Tunes medley. Families are invited to arrive at 6 p.m. so children can try out a number of musical instruments in a display sponsored by CSO and the Claremont Community School of Music.
ELVIS IS BACK IN THE BUILDING Tickets are on sale now for the 7:30 p.m. August 16 screening of a newly expanded and restored print of Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special at Laemmle Claremont 5, 450 W. Second St. The two-day event in celebration of its 50th anniversary will take place across the globe on August 16, with an encore screening on August 20. Each screening will include the legendary television special, plus an exclusive look at its making.
FATHERS DAY Most of us fathers, though definitely not all, have simple needs on our big day. Unlike moms, we generally don’t require flowers, something sweet, followed by brunch. Most of us dads would probably be happy with a backyard barbecue, a beer, and some time with family. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, get on it, kids: it’s his day. If you’re looking for a manly spot for lunch, perhaps a burger or a big steak would suit dear ol’ dad.
BUTTERFLIES AND BREWS Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members for Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden’s Butterflies and Brews events, which continues this evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and continue each Friday throughout June. “Celebrating our local butterfly and beer species, these fun events will feature a different neighborhood craft brewery each evening at our California Butterfly Pavilion.”
BLUES AND BREWS: The ninth annual Claremont Craft Beer Walk takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Village, with live music in 15 locations and about participation from about 40 businesses. Tickets are $45 or $20 for designated drivers, and are available, along with more information, at claremontbluesandbrews.com, (909) 626-1147 or via email at claremontvillageinfo@gmail.com. Music, not all of it blues, apparently, will be provided by A Choired Taste, Amanda Castro Band, Amazing Tone and more.
ROCKIN’ IN THE FREE WORLD The streets of Claremont will once again be ringing with live music this evening as Friday Nights Live brings Beatles tribute act Fab 8 to Laemmle plaza; Larry and Rhonda Jackson and Small Town Magic to the chamber of commerce; percussionist extraordinaire Ray McNamara’s Steel Drum Band to Shelton Park; and the Middleton/Martinez Duo to city hall. Friday Nights Live runs from 6 to 9 p.m. through October.
