PAST ALI FESTIVAL EVENTS

THE 5TH ANNUAL ALI FESTIVAL WAS HELD JUNE 3RD – 13TH, 2021.

The annual Ali Festival, was a celebration that marked the anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing and celebrated his impactful legacy and love for Louisville. It took place June 3-13, 2021. With the recent societal issues that continue to shake up our world—the coronavirus pandemic, a reawakening of racial justice and equality, and a consequent downturn in the tourism industry—the 2021 Muhammad Ali Festival was crafted to provide inspiration, entertainment, education, and activation through events that generated a sense of unity, justice, and a rebirth of Muhammad Ali’s hometown of Louisville.

Most importantly, this year’s Ali Festival honored Muhammad’s five year passing.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

We thank you for celebrating The Greatest with us!

Roses and Remembrance for Muhammad: A Community Invitation to Cave Hill

Thursday, June 3, 2021
12:00pm – 3:00pm

The Muhammad Ali Center and Cave Hill Cemetery invite the community to join us in unity to pay respects to The Greatest on the 5-year anniversary of his passing, June 3^rd. Upon arrival, you will be given a rose to either lay on Muhammad Ali’s grave or keep for yourself as a keepsake to reflect on throughout the day. As a show of our appreciation, visitors will also be given a $2 off admission coupon to the Ali Center that can be redeemed during the Ali Festival. Entrance at East Broadway, visitors can either drive through or stop at the grave.

Mark’s Feed Store
On June 2^nd and 3^rd, 15% of your purchase will be donated to the Ali Center when you present this flyer.

AT THE HEART OF THIS YEAR’S ALI FESTIVAL,  will be community screenings at the Muhammad Ali Center throughout the week of CITY OF ALI, which will be available to national audiences in the coming weeks.  This 81-minute documentary captures some of the stories and events that occurred in Muhammad’s hometown of Louisville during the week between his passing and his memorial.  More importantly, CITY OF ALI documents the shift in consciousness during that time for those throughout the city, from across the continent, and around the world who came to Louisville to honor The Champ’s life and legacy. Ali’s passing instilled in others a sense of unity, peace, and love; messages that are vitally needed now and can perhaps be achieved again by recalling that these attributes are indeed possible to behold.

“The way this varied group worked collectively in Louisville—on a world stage—is inspirational. Louisville’s adulation for their native son has been thoroughly documented by this soul-lifting film.” – Dwight Brown Ink

Ticket options for City of Ali screenings include: $10 for film screening or $20 for film screening AND admission to the exhibits.

City of Ali Screen Times:

• Friday, June 4: 1:00pm; 3:00pm
• Saturday, June 5: 1:00pm; 3:00pm; 6:00pm
• Sunday, June 6: 3:00pm
• Monday, June 7: 1:00pm
• Tuesday, June 8: 3:00pm
• Wednesday, June 9: 6:00pm
• Thursday, June 10: 3:00pm
• Friday, June 11: 1:00pm; 3:00pm
• Saturday, June 12: 1:00pm; 3:00pm
• Sunday, June 13: 3:00pm

Watch the trailer here:

OFFICIAL TRAILER | CITY OF ALI – YouTube

Thank you to our sponsors for the City of Ali world premiere that took place on June 3rd, 2021.

Just as Muhammad Ali used to visit neighborhoods throughout his hometown, Louisvillians can relive this experience by welcoming the Ali Community Bus in their part of town on June 7, 9, and 11! The bus, will deliver the spirit and love of Muhammad to the people. Ali Center staff will share activities, including games, demonstrations, care packages, and more. Details on where the Ali Bus will be stopping will be coming soon.

Monday, June 7^th

• 10:00am – 11:30am: Youthbuild
  Address: 800 S. Preston St, Louisville, KY 40203
• 1:30pm – 3:30pm: Chestnut Street Family YMCA
  Address: 930 W. Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40203

Wednesday, June 9^th

• 12:00pm – 1:30pm: Newburg Community Center
  Address: 4810 Exeter Ave, Louisville, KY 40218
• 3:00pm – 4:30pm: Neighborhood House
  Address: 201 N. 25^th St, Louisville, KY 40212

Friday, June 11^th

• 10:00am – 11:30am: Jewish Community Center (Last 45 minutes will be reserved for JCC Campers)
  Address: 3600 Dutchmans Ln, Louisville, KY 40205
• 2:00pm – 3:30pm: Parkland Boys & Girls Club
  Address: 3200 Greenwood Ave, Louisville, KY 40211

 

 

The Muhammad Ali Center is seeking student artists to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali for our annual ALI WEEK Festival. The Ali Center is calling students from grades K-12 to channel their inner Ali by submitting poetry or an art piece based on specific Ali-related themes. We will select one winner from grades elementary, middle, and high, who will receive a unique prize. Select student artwork and poems will also be showcased through the Ali Center’s social media platforms.

This is your opportunity to share your greatness on the world’s stage!

GRADE LEVEL PROMPTS:

Select from the prompts below or use your creativity to create your unique Muhammad Ali themed artwork or poem.

Elementary School (K-5)

Write, Draw, or Record a Poem or Artwork of what comes to mind when you think of Muhammad Ali – some ideas could include a portrait, boxing gloves, boxing ring, butterflies, bees, or anything else you can imagine!

Middle School (6-8)

Write, Draw, or Record a Poem or Artwork based on one of Muhammad Ali’s Six Core Principles – Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Respect, Giving, and/or Spirituality

• Which Core Principle is most relevant to your life?
• How did Ali show his Core Principles during his lifetime?
• What Core Principle do you think the world needs more of?

High School (9-12)

Write, Draw, or Record a Poem or Artwork that showcases how Muhammad Ali used his fame for civic engagement, social justice, activism, and/or peace-building.

• Share how Ali was involved in empowering and uplifting minority communities.
• Share how Ali used his voice to call out injustice.
• Share how Ali inspires you to use your voice as a young leader.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

• All entries must be submitted through the Muhammad Ali Center’s online form:

https://form.jotform.com/210896594942066

• Students must have parental/guardian permission to enter.
• Submission deadline: June 13, 2021 at 11:59 PM (EST)

 

CONTACT

education@alicenter.org

 

In recognition of Muhammad Ali and LeRoy Neiman’s longstanding friendship, and to commemorate what would have been Mr. Neiman’s 100^th birthday on June 8^th, the Center will launch a digital exhibit on that day.   Many around the world remember LeRoy’s brilliantly colored expressionist artwork—from athletes to musicians, and sporting events, such as the Kentucky Derby. The digital exhibit will highlight artwork created by both Ali and Neiman and feature candid photographs and notes written by LeRoy. The majority of the artwork was donated to the Ali Center by the LeRoy Neiman Foundation in 2017, and others on loan from the Foundation.

Photo belongs to the LeRoy Neiman Foundation.

VIEW THE DIGITAL EXHIBIT HERE

 The Center’s Archival Library will be open to the public on June 8^th from 12:30-4:30pm, allowing visitors the opportunity to view special artifacts brought out of the archives specifically for Ali Week. Visitors can also interact with the Center’s Collections & Exhibits staff during this time.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021
12:00-1:00 PM EST

Islamophobia has long been a part of racism and prejudice within the United States. During this discussion, our panel of experts will explore the intersections of racism and religion specifically through the lens of Muslim Americans. Our panelists will discuss the social implications of persistent Islamophobia in the United States, and the tremendous damage caused to our communities when bigotry and racism toward Muslims remains largely ignored and unaddressed by institutions of influence and power.  Our conversation will conclude with opportunities for compassionate action and inclusive community-building within Muhammad’s home city of Louisville, KY and beyond.

Featuring:

• Haleh Karimi, Assistant Professor of Management at Bellarmine University
• Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Deputy Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
• Dr. Muhammad Babar, President of Muslim Americans for Compassion and Muhammad Ali Center Board Member
• Ozair Shariff, Corporate Counsel at Churchill Downs Incorporated

“I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and peace.” –Muhammad Ali

To Register please complete our online form: 19291.blackbaudhosting.com/19291/I-Am-America-Examining-the-Intersections-of-Racism-and-Islamophobia

Muhammad Ali’s Bread Pudding at The Galt House
Featured at restaurants Swizzle and Walker’s Exchange