Ali Week 2019, a community-wide celebration to mark the anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing and to celebrate his impactful legacy and love for Louisville, will take place in Louisville June1-9. Muhammad Ali passed away on June 3, 2016 at the age of 74. Ali Week, a collaboration between the Muhammad Ali Center, the City of Louisville, and Louisville Tourism, will contain a series of events that take place around Muhammad Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky throughout the week.
Ali Week is important to the city because it marks a time when Louisville was at the center of a bright and steady spotlight of international news coverage, when visitors from all cultures, ages, religions,and races came together in a unified and peaceful purpose, and when the entire community–each in their own way–responded to the passing of their hometown champion. Muhammad Ali “shook up the world,” but he always kept his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky close to his heart.
The week will begin on Saturday, June 1st with the opening of “Picture Ali”, an exhibit showcasing photographs of Muhammad Ali from the Courier-Journal’s book, Picture: Muhammad Ali. On Sunday, June 2nd, The Ali Center will be hosting a family event called the Ali Week Kick-Off Carnival, as well as FREE admission to the Center’s award-winning exhibits from noon until 5pm. Ali Week will conclude with special advanced screenings of“City of Ali”, a one-hour documentary that tells the incredible story of the first Ali Week – those seven days in June three years ago—when the people of Louisville welcomed family, fans, friends, and fellow mourners who traveled from near and far to pay their respects and say their touching good-byes to The Greatest.
Throughout the week, the Ali Center will be curating 15 events and activities that range from an interfaith candlelight vigil on the Center’s Plaza, to special film screenings, an oral history event about Muhammad Ali’s life in Louisville, and much more.
Currently, there are more than 25 events from 20+ different community organizations over the nine day event. Activities will be added to the online events calendar through June 9th. A complete list of events with more details and information is available at www.alicenter.org/ali-week.
Louisville-based businesses—attractions, restaurants, hotels,and any other organizations who are interested in becoming involved in the annual Ali Week—should contact Tori Collins at the Ali Center: tcollins@alicenter.org or 502.992.5338, or go to the Ali Week landing page at www.alicenter.org/ali-week for more information.
A partial list of “Ali Week” events by date are listed below.
Saturday, June 1
· Parkinson’s Moving Day Walk at Seneca Park 8:30am registration
· Public Opening of “Picture Ali” at Ali Center
Sunday, June 2
· Kick-Off Ali Week Carnival plus Free Admission all day at Ali Center, 12:00-5:00pm
· Second Annual Muhammad Ali Six Core Principle Yoga Flow at Ali Center, 12:30-2:00pm (sign-up on Ali Center’s web site)
· Le Moo Restaurant Night Ali Center to receive portion of proceeds, 5:00-10:00pm
Monday, June 3
· Interfaith Memorial/Spirituality Service &Candlelight Vigil at Ali Center Plaza, 7:00-8:30pm
· Village Anchor Restaurant Night/Ali Center to receive portion of proceeds, 5:00-10:00pm
Tuesday, June 4
· Louisville Bats Baseball Game/Ali Appreciation Night at Slugger Field, 7:00pm
Wednesday, June 5
· Accessing The Archives Tour at Ali Center, 10:00am-12:00pm(sign-up on our web site)
· Community Service Project for the Homeless, 5:00-8:00pm (details to come)
Thursday, June 6
· Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport New Branding Unveil at Airport 10:00-11:00am;(details to come)
Friday, June 7
· Daughters of Greatness Breakfast, Dr. Neeli Bendapudi at Ali Center, 8:30-10:00am
· Stories of Ali Oral History Conversation at Ali Center, 6:00-8:00pm (open to public and free)
Saturday, June 8
· Mayor’s Ali Bike Ride start and finish at Ali Center, 10:00am-12:00pm (Details to come)
· Free Ali-related films all day; Highlighted documentary, What’s My Name (premieres on HBO on May 14th)10:00-5:00pm
Sunday, June 9
· Special Advanced Screening of City of Ali Documentary at Ali Center, 5:30 pm and 7:00pm, both screenings will be open to public and free
Other
· Guests receive a free gift when they spend $30 or more in Ali Center Store, selfie station, etc.
· Drive for Homeless for entire week (G.O.A.T. Drive: Give Like the Greatest): The Ali Center will be hosting a donation drive for the duration of Ali Week to help three local organizations(UP for Women and Children, My Dog Eats First, and St. Vincent de Paul).Visitors are encouraged throughout the week to bring in canned goods, clothing,household items, etc. Donations can be dropped off in the Ali Center’s Main Lobby. More information on items needed can be found on the Ali Center website here: www.alicenter.org/goatdrive/
There will be many other community events going on throughout Ali Week from a multitude of Louisville based businesses, such as:an Ali-themed Scavenger Hunt at the American Printing House for the Blind,discounted admission at the Frazier History Museum, the Americana World Festival, An Ali Afternoon lunchtime event by Louisville Tourism, “A Kid, A Cop, A Cause” charity event at 4th Street Live to benefit local foster children, a Kid’s Night at Mark’s Feed Store, and two Ali-themed quests from Louisville Quest. Forthe growing list of Community Partner events, as well as details, times, and locations for each event, visit the Ali Week landing page: https://www.alicenter.org/ali-week/