Saturday, February 6
Celebrating Ghana – Family “Mini” Festival: Learn about the history and culture of Ghana during this full day of crafts, creative dramatics, West African storytelling, games and songs with award-winning storyteller and author Sadarri Saskill and Company, and a West African Drum Circle with multidisciplinary artist Lela Lombardo. The event will take place at North Dade Regional Library, 2455 N.W. 183 St. in Miami Gardens, and lasts from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, please call 305-625-6424.
Black History Arts and Craft Workshop: The Allapattah Branch Library, 1799 N.W. 35th St., offers a workshop aimed at teaching children how to make an African Kufi cap. The program begins at 2 p.m. For more information, please call 305-638-6086.
Out of Africa – The Diaspora for Family Historians: Alvin Sherman Library and Art Gallery at Nova Southeastern University, 3400 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. in Davie, is hosting a basic genealogical introduction to the history of human migration out of Africa to all points of the globe, with special emphasis on the Atlantic Slave Trade of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The seminar will also include a brief introduction to the legacy of African-American culture to the United States, highlighting the African-American family. The program starts at 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public. If you can’t make this one, another lecture will take place at the same location, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. For more information, please call 954-262-4575.
Sunday, February 7
Free Gospel Concert: Palm Beach Atlantic University's Praise Gospel Choir, well-known for its contemporary gospel style, offers a free musical concert celebrating Black History Month at the West Palm Beach Public Library, 411 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. The hour-long concert starts at 2 p.m. For more information, please call 561-868-7701.
Monday, February 8
Connections – World Slavery: Ray Kamalay traces the development of slavery from ancient times to its links with American society up to the early jazz age. The discussion includes ancient and modern slavery, the Haitian Revolution, the origin of blackface, spirituals, blues, minstrel shows, ragtime and jazz. The lecture will take place at North Dade Regional, 2455 NW 183 St. in Miami Gardens, and begins at 7 p.m. For more information, please call 305-625-6424.
Wednesday, February 10
Rosewood Remembered: A local historian presents rare footage of Rosewood, Florida at the Coral Reef Branch Library, 9211 Coral Reef Drive in South Miami. Rosewood, an all-black town in northern Florida, was burned to the ground in 1923 by a white mob, killing eight people. The presentation is free and starts at 7 p.m. For more information, please call 305-233-8324.
Efficacy of Black Preaching in the Civil Rights Movement: Most people accept it as a given that the church was an instrument for social change in the black community. Now Florida Memorial University, 15800 N.W. 42nd Ave. in Miami Gardens, is hosting a lecture: “Efficacy of Black Preaching in the Civil Rights Movement,” to examine how the church’s pastors were and were not effective in the Civil Rights Movement. The lecture will take place in the university’s auditorium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, please call 305-626-3624.
Thursday, February 11
Ujamaa Jazz Concert: The Old Dillard Museum, 1009 NW 4th St., 2nd Floor in Fort Lauderdale, hosts a jazz concert in honor of Ujamaa, the fourth principal of Kwanzaa, which means “cooperative economics.” The concert starts at 6 p.m. and is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, please call 754-322-8828.
African Diaspora art exhibit and film festival: Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th St. in Miami, unveils a special art exhibit and its first African and African Diaspora Studies Annual Film Festival. The event will feature an opening reception at 4 p.m. in the Graham Center Art Gallery. The exhibit is titled “Worldwide Underground: The Globalization of Hip-Hop Photograph Exhibit,” and will be on display until Feb. 28. Following the reception will be a three-day film festival. On Thursday and Friday, movies will show from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Saturday, the festival begins at 11 a.m. This year’s selection includes Jamaica for Sale, Tulia, Texas, HomeGrown: HipLife in Ghana, Katanga Business, Democracy in Dakar, and Bronx Princess. For an in-depth listing, please visit Africana.fiu.edu. For more information, please call 305-348 6860.
Friday, February 12
Florida Memorial University’s Homecoming Step Show Concert: Popular local comedian and Florida Memorial University alumnus Malik S. will host Florida Memorial University’s annual step show concert, featuring Grammy-Award winner Chrisette Michele and Pleasure P, former member of singing group Pretty Ricky. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the A. Chester Robinson Athletic Center on FMU’s campus, 15800 N.W. 42nd Ave. in Miami Gardens. Tickets are $25 in advance, and $35 the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased on campus at the Lion Shop Café and Bookstore. For more information, please call 305-626-3657.
Nicole Henry: Enjoy a sunset happy hour with a performance by the South Florida Jazz Orchestra and local jazz vocalist Nicole Henry. The free concert will last from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Tina Hills Pavilion of Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. For more information, please call 305-579-6675 or visit www.miamidda.com.
Saturday, February 13
Melton Mustafa Jazz Concert: The 14th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Concert returns to Florida Memorial University. This year’s theme, “It’s All Pure Jazz,” will feature Legendary trumpeter/composer Charles Tolliver and the Melton Mustafa Orchestra. The concert lasts from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts at Florida Memorial University, 15800 N.W. 42nd Ave. in Miami Gardens. Tickets are $35. For more information, please call 305-623-3063.
That’s a Rap book signing: The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 N.W. 22nd Avenue in Miami, hosts a book signing by Thomas Demerritte, author of That’s a Rap. Written specifically for today's youth to give them a better appreciation of the music industry, the book teaches readers about the behind-the-scenes music careers that last the longest, and why. That's a Rap also explores the history of hip-hop, and teaches about the social responsibility in music. The book signing is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, please call 305- 638-6771.
Sunday, February 14
Toussaint Night: Jakmel Art Gallery, 7646 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami, holds an opening reception for a new exhibit that explores and celebrates the bravery of one of Haiti’s heroes, Toussaint L’Ouverture. From 7 to 11 p.m., enjoy an evening of art and music. For more information, please call 786-312-5947.
Tuesday, February 16
National Parks and African Americans: This Black History Month, take a walk on the wild side as environmentalists Frank and Audrey Peterman, authors of Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Inheritance and Tells Why Every American Should Care,’ reveal startling new information about the history and contributions of African Americans in our national parks. The event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, please call 954-625-2800, ext. 2266.
Wednesday, February 17
Fannie Lou Hamer Story: Fannie Lou Hamer, otherwise known as the “Mother of Civil Rights,” was a Mississippi freedom fighter of the 1960s who promoted voter registration with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. She maintained a deep commitment to grassroots, anti-poverty projects. See her indomitable spirit brought back to life by Mzuri Moyo as she performs the Fannie Lou Hamer Story at Naranja Branch Library, 27060 S. Dixie Hwy in Naranja, at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please call 305-242-2290.
Platanos And Collard Greens: Platanos And Collard Greens is a thought-provoking romantic comedy that addresses stereotypes, prejudices and urban myths within the context of hip-hop, humor and satire. The play will run from Feb. 17 through 28 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Tickets are $35. For more information, please call 305-949-6722.
Friday, February 19
A Call for Unity: Learning about history is a good foundation, but to be aware of your community’s contemporary issues is the way to be able to plan for the future. The Miami-Dade County’s Black Affairs Advisory Board is sponsoring an open panel discussion on the status of members of the diverse African American Diaspora in Miami-Dade County and methods of addressing disparities. The panel will take place in the Board of Commissioners Chambers at the Stephen B. Clark Center, 111 N.W. 1st St. in Miami, from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, please call 305-375-4606 or visit www.miamidade.gov/baab.
Kwanzaa – Ujamaa: Yes, Kwanzaa officially happened almost two months ago. Nevertheless, there are still principles you can learn and apply. The Old Dillard Museum, 1009 N.W. Fourth St. in Fort Lauderdale, presents a lecture from Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach. The lecture will focus on Ujamaa, the Kwanzaa principle of cooperative economics. The event is free and starts at 6 p.m. For more information, please call 754-322-8828.
Saturday, February 20
Black History Extravaganza: The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 N.W. 22nd Ave. in Miami, is hosting an all-day family and community Black History Extravaganza. Any time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can come and enjoy the free food, music and crafts offered by vendors. The extravaganza is even a designated stop for Miami-Dade Transit’s Black History Bus Tour. For more information, please call 305-375-4606 visit www.miamidade.gov/baab.
Miami-Dade Transit’s Annual Black History Tours: Miami-Dade Transit’s famed annual black history tours return for another year. Tour buses visit historical sites in Overtown, Coconut Grove, Liberty City, Brownsville, Virginia Key and elsewhere. Tours depart on Saturdays, February 20 and 27 beginning at 9 a.m. in front of the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. 1st St. in Miami. Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, please call 305-891-3131.
Haitian Mini-Festival: The Lemon City Branch Library, 430 NE 61st St. in Miami, is celebrating Black History Month with a mini-festival. From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., enjoy special Haitian drum demonstrations and dance performances. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 305-757-0662
Sunday, February 21
Ashella: Okay, if Disney’s The Princess and the Frog has you wanting more visions of black fairy tales, then the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 Northwest 22nd Ave. in Miami has the performance for you. The center’s Black History Month Playhouse will host a performance of Ashella, an African rendition of Cinderella. For the exact time and ticket prices, please call 305-638-6771.
Monday, February 22
Djembes ‘n' Jazz: What’s Djembes? It’s a percussion ensemble of four members among which there are drummers, poetry readers, jazz vocalists and African dancers. The components are simple, but the result of incorporating West African rhythms into jazz is absolutely breathtaking. Come see the free performance yourself at the Miami Dade College Hialeah campus, 1776 West 49th Street in Hialeah, in the Pavilion Room at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please call 305-263-0591.
Friday, February 26
Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue in Davie, features Nobel Peace Laureate and human rights activist Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu Friday, Feb. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tutu’s visit is part of the college’s Distinguished Speakers Series. Tutu, who is considered by many to be one of the greatest living moral icons of our time, will present "Good vs. Evil: Human Rights or Humans Wronged." The event is free, but tickets are required and can be obtained through the college’s Office of the Dean at NSU's Mailman-Hollywood Building, second floor. For more information, please call 954-262-8236 or visit www.fcas.nova.edu/articles/dss/desmondtutu.
Saturday, February 27
Rhythms of Africa – Music Around the World: Willie Stewart, drummer for Third World, leads a vibrant musical ensemble comprising musicians and vocalists at a concert celebrating the rhythms of Africa. The event takes place at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2300 Civic Center Place in Miramar. Admission is free as long as you have a voucher, which you can download online at http://www.miramarculturalcenter.org/rhythmsofafrica. The show starts at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, please call 954-602-4500.
Sistrunk Historical Festival & Parade: The Sistrunk Historical Festival and parade returns for another year! Beginning at 9 a.m., the parade travels down historic Sistrunk Boulevard and ends with a festival at Samuel Delevoe Park, 2520 N.W. 6th Street near Fort Lauderdale. The festival offers plenty of food, arts and crafts, vendors, a health fair, and live local and national entertainment. For more information, please call 954-687-3472.
Bob Marley Caribbean Festival: The 16th Annual Caribbean Festival is a celebration of music, arts, and crafts honoring the life and philosophy of legendary reggae star Bob Marley. This year, the festival also honors the memory of Cedella Marley Booker, the mother of Bob Marley, and features performances by Shaggy, Spragga Benz and Damien Marley, among others. The concert starts at 2 p.m. at the Bayfront Park Amphitheater, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online or at various locations throughout the city. For more information, please visit www.bobmarleymovement.com or call 305-665-5379.
Sunday, February 28
Harlem Globetrotters: The iconic Harlem Globetrotters are primed to showcase their eye-popping 2010 World Tour at Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. The show starts at 4 p.m. and tickets are $18 to $145. For more information, please call 786-777-1000.
Kaila.Heard@Gmail.com
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