We’ve put together a list of some of the incredible free online programming happening throughout February in celebration of Black History Month. Please share with friends and family and we hope you can tune in and connect!
February 4, 2021 10:00–10:30 AM CST Smithsonian Online: Black History Month American History Museum
Join the National Museum of American History for an online exploration into key social studies topics, featuring museum resources from the Smithsonian. This episode will focus on Black History Month. More info here.
February 4, 2021 7:00 PM CST Ladysmith Black Mambazo
A Conversation with Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Your House,” Register for this free event here.
February 6, 2021 12:00 PM CST Virtual Panel Discussion: Generations: Music and the Black Family
This engaging panel discussion, based on the 2021 Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASLAH) theme of the Black family, delves into a focus of generations and how musical differences and similarities have helped unify or divide the Black American family. The multi-generational panel includes a music historian, social scientist, and musician. Produced by the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) and moderated by arts journalist Patrick D. McCoy.
February 6, 2021 9:30PM CST Mandela: Let Freedom Reign’
The Marsh presents a one-man show on the life of South African President Nelson Mandela. Starring Darryl Van Leer, the production covers the early life of the activist and political legend leading up to his equal rights struggle against apartheid. It also is set to feature the actor delivering Mandela’s powerful “I Am Prepared to Die” statement, which he gave before being sentenced to life in prison.
February 9, 2021 5:30PM CST Moving the Nashville Music Culture Forward Join Nashville Music Equality on February 9th for an in-depth discussion from board members of Nashville Music Equality on how they see the best way to move the Nashville Music Culture forward and how you can help create an anti- racist environment in Nashville. Hear from them on what they have learned in 2020 and what they are working on for 2021 and beyond.
Link: Register Here
February 16, 2021 6:00PM Museum of African Diaspora’s Blatant Series: Art, Joy and Rage
February’s episode of the museum’s monthly series is set to feature award- winning documentary filmmaker Yoruba Richen and Maori Holmes, artistic director/BlackStar Film Festival CEO and Curator-at-Large for film at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Prior episodes, as well as archived video materials are available to view on their Facebook page.
Free, donations encouraged. 415-358-7200. bit.ly/3qJohv4
February 17, 2021 12:00 AM CST SMA Stax Music Academy invites you to the 2021 Black History Month presentation, Rhythm and Revolution: Expressions of Struggle, Collaboration and Peace!
For more than 20 years, the Stax Music Academy has been wowing audiences around the world with performances in places like Australia, Italy, France, England, Germany, New York’s Lincoln Center, and Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center and Smithsonian Institute festivals. It has also for many years presented Memphis, Tennessee’s premier Black History Month performance to sold-out crowds. Now, in February 2021, because of COVID-relates safety precautions and because people from all walks of life are yearning for access to the arts during pandemic restrictions, this year’s concert will be virtual and free to all students. Your students are invited to participate.
R & R: Rhythm and Revolution: Expressions of Struggle, Collaboration, and Peace will feature the music of soul greats from Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples to Al Green, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and the legendary artists of Stax.
Records. Mixed with jazz, spoken word, and original music from SMA’s talented students, viewers will not only feel the beat, but will also learn about history makers such as Ida B Wells, Robert Church, and Langston Hughes and their lessons that are as relevant today as they were in the past.
February 20, 2021 8:00 PM CST A Musical Revue Celebrating Black History Month 2021.
Hosted by: Terrance Kelly with guests artists Jovan Watkins, Ms. Jackie Tolbert, and Vancouver-based choir Universal Gospel Choir. The event is free but donations are much appreciated.
February 21, 2021 7:00PM CST MoAD’s African Diaspora Film Club: ‘How it Feels to Be Free’
Join the museum’s monthly film club series, with conversation to be moderated by Cornelius Moore, co-director of California Newsreel and film curator at MoAD. This month’s event is set to feature filmmaker Yoruba Richen. Patrons are encouraged to watch the featured 2020 documentary film, “How it Feels to Be Free,” about trailblazing black female entertainers Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Diahann Carroll, Nina Simone, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier in advance of the event, available to stream for free at the PBS “American Masters” website.
Donations encouraged. 415-358-7200. bit.ly/39hPjnr
February 25, 2021 7:00PM CST Black History Month Virtual Concert: Preserving and Persevering Recognizing that one of the most underappreciated contributions to American Music is the African sound and spirit. CCC’s 2021 Black History Month concert explores how the power of Black music has been the cultural key in both preserving African traditions in America and in helping millions persevere in the face of racial injustice. Join us for a dynamic virtual educational program and performance exploring music’s role for Black Americans in maintaining a sense of community in the United States.
CCC is proud to bring our annual Black History Month concert to the digital stage.
All are invited to tune in to the free livestream on our Facebook and YouTube channels.
February 27, 2021 5:00 PM CST Black Nashville Assembly Town Hall
Join the Black Nashville Assembly for the State of Black Nashville Saturday, February 27, 5:00 p.m. CT.
Register at bit.ly/615townhall
February 28, 2021 6:00 PM CST Call and Response: Intimate Talks with Jazz Icons
Bassist, composer and educator Christian McBride and moderator Andre Kimo Stone Guess plan to discuss musical inspirations, what it means to be an artist during challenging times and what the future may hold for musicians and the music industry. Audience Q&A included.
Free-$50. livingjazz.org/call-response
February 3 – March 10 Lecture Series Every Wednesday at 5:00PM CST Talking About Race Matters:
One of the most important topics throughout history and in recent months, is the topic of race. Given current events covered in the news, the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum feels that it is important to have and to facilitate conversations on race, even though they can be challenging. Because of this, they have put together a series of talks with experts, each looking at the topic of race from a different perspective.
Link: Register online
ONLINE BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS ON DEMAND
Living Jazz Presents: In the Name of Love: 19th Annual MLK Musical Tribute
Hosted by Dana King, this event lineup features many Oakland artists and activists including Kronos Quartet and Meklit, the Dynamic Miss Faye Carol, Branice McKenzie and Bryan Dyer with Glen Pearson, Living Jazz Children’s Project, Myles Staples of the 2020 Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Tory Teasley and the Teasers, and a presentation of the Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award by Rep. Barbara Lee.
Available to stream on the Living Jazz YouTube channel. Free, donations encouraged. livingjazz.org/mlktribute
National Museum of African American History and Culture Presents: The People’s Holiday
This event features a live-streamed music performance with Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer and educator Christian McBride inspired by his social justice focused album, “The Movement Revisited: A Musical Portrait of Four Icons.” The 45-minute concert also features students from the Juilliard School and a poetry reading by Sonia Sanchez. It concludes with a conversation between McBride and Sanchez moderated by museum associate director of curatorial affairs Dwandalyn Reece.
Available to stream for free at s.si.edu/3nfoT9v
Black History Month Celebrations and Revelations 2021
Free virtual concert celebrating Black History Month. Ticketing – select
RSVP now from https://www.joybullen.ca/events/
Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices in Black History Month
As part of the Paley Center’s celebration of Black History Month, the Paley Center will showcase the educational Netflix series, Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices, a series of shorts where celebrity readers share children’s books by Black authors to spark kid-friendly conversations about empathy, equality, self-love, and antiracism. Explore themes presented in the series books with this delightful activity guide: https://www.netflixbookmarks.com/resources/, featuring discussion questions, reading lists, resources, art projects, and writing activities for all ages!
