What began as a one-day event, the Loving Day Celebration, an open and affirming event for multicultural, multiracial families, and their supporters, will expand to three days of unique programming this weekend.
The expanded programming arrives right as the nation is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967), which invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
Starting at the Ladies Literary Club on Friday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m., a staged program from the
Ebony Road Players (ERP),
"Giving Voice to Love,” will feature local musicians, dancers, film, spoken word, and theatrical works sharing stories of identity, race, love and personal expression.
On Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ERP will partner with downtown Grand Rapids’ Park Church (10 E. Park Place) for a
block party/festival that will showcase musical performances, vendors, workshops, and plenty of children's activities.
Organizers ask that if you wish to hang out to enjoy the musical programing that you please bring a chair.
Once inside the church at this rain or shine event, there will be special film screenings from The Mosaic Film Experience, as well as a chance to record your voice as a part of a StoryCorps-like narrative project courtesy of
Wrinkle Creative.
Finally on Sunday, June 11, at 11:45 a.m., you are invited to return to Park Church for the
closing event—a broadcast of the award-winning HBO documentary, “The Loving Story.” This special screening is co-sponsored by
Conversations at Park Church. A luncheon as well as a community discussion of the documentary will be a part of this final Loving Day weekend event.
All of the events are free to attend except Friday’s live "Giving Voice to Love” kick-off staged presentation, which ranges from $10 - 20.