MLK Weekend: March in Santa Barbara, free concert in San Diego

The day set aside to honor Martin Luther King Jr. has become a day dedicated to community activism nationwide. Tree-plantings, school cleanups, food bank organizing and other events planned for Monday underscore one of King’s most thoughtful quotes: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” To find projects and events happening Monday, go to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service website.

For those who plan to hit the road, here are two MLK events within a couple hours of Los Angeles.

Santa Barbara: The city marks the holiday with a program that starts 9 a.m. Monday with dance and gospel music in De la Guerra Plaza and a march up State Street to the Arlington Theatre. Wallace Shepherd, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Santa Barbara since 2006, marched with King in 1963 and will share his memories of the movement in “Retelling the Story--The Civil Rights Years” at 11 a.m. at the theater. All events are free and sponsored by the Martin Luther King Committee of Santa Barbara.

The WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park will host an ongoing free concert noon-7 p.m. Monday featuring live reggae bands and other musical performances as well as drumming and dancing. The afternoon event is free and billed as a family event. Check out WorldBeat.org; (619) 230-1190.