Black History Month Events
City of Richmond – Friday, February 5- Richmond City Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities Black History Month Art Exhibition, “To Sir With Love: African-American Male as Subject” meet the artists reception from 6:30 – 8:30pm, exhibit runs through March 4th at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road. Details visit the Richmond VA Parks and Recreation Facebook or www.RichmondGov.com/parks.
Peace Center Schedules Three Performances of Generation Dream 2016
The Richmond Peace Education Center announced an expansion of its “Generation Dream” Youth Production in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All of the performance pieces are to honor in some way the legacy and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and many of the performance pieces touch on urgent community issues. The production also showcases some of the great cultural diversity of our region.
All three shows are free, and family friendly. The first show is Friday, February 5, 7 p.m., at the Richmond Public Library’s downtown branch, as a First Friday event.
Sunday, February 7, 3 p.m. at the Ashland Theater, 205 England St., in Ashland, Virginia
Sunday, February 21, 3 p.m. at the new Huguenot High School auditorium, 7945 Forest Hill Ave., in Richmond.
Generation Dream 2016 will feature “I AM,” a powerful performance piece on gun violence performed by teen leaders from the Richmond Youth Peace Project. Among this year’s other performers will be Taaluma Youth Performance Company, City Singers, Dance Interface(Appomattox Regional Governor’s School), Off the Cuff (UR a cappella group), Zion’s Voice Gospel Choir, classical Indian dance groups, Drums No Guns, and many more! This program is made possible by support from CultureWorks championed by Altria, the Robins Foundations, and individual and faith community donors to the Richmond Peace Education Center. For information call the Richmond Peace Education Center at 804-232-1002, or visit the Peace Center website, www.rpec.org.
Chesterfield County
A New Mosaic: African-American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – This exhibition features high-quality photographic reproductions of works by African- American artists spanning the past 200 years. Feb. 1-29, Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Boulevard, North Chesterfield.
Hidden History: African-American Cemeteries in Central Virginia – Learn about African-American cemeteries and stories of African-American genealogy, segregation and attitudes towards religion and death.
Saturday, February 6, 11 a.m.-noon, Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield and from 2-3 p.m. LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield.
Rosenwald Schools – In the early 20th century, the Rosenwald Schools were built specifically for the educational needs of African-American students. Learn about their history and impact, and preservation efforts. Monday, February 8, 7-8:30 p.m., Central Library, 9501 Lori Road, Chesterfield.
All We Do is Step, Stroll and Hop – What is a Black Greek-Letter Organization? African-American Collegiate Greek organizations are steeped in a legacy of brotherhood and sisterhood, community service and academic excellence. Learn about their purpose, mission and history. Thursday, February 11, 7-8:30 p.m., Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Boulevard, North Chesterfield.
Heroes and Hard Times: American History through Song and Story – Embark on a journey through stories and songs that spans more than three centuries of American history, and includes slavery, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the birth of blues music and the Civil Rights Movement.
Saturday, February 13, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Central Library, 9501 Lori Road, Chesterfield and at 3-3:45 p.m., Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Road, North Chesterfield.
Speaking of Jazz with Victor Haskins’ Skein – Victor Haskins’ Skein will demonstrate compositions and stylistic developments from black musicians throughout the history of jazz. Tuesday, February 16, 7-8 p.m., Central Library, 9501 Lori Road, Chesterfield.
An Exploration of African-American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Karen Getty will discuss the collection from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts that commemorates African-American life and history, as well as art that ranges in different periods, styles and subject matter. Wednesday, February 17, 7-8 p.m., Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Boulevard, North Chesterfield. All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is suggested for many of the programs and may be done online at library.chesterfield.gov. For more information, call 804-751-CCPL.
Henrico County
50’s Dance: Remembering Tommy Edwards, Friday, February 12, 6-9pm. Free. Ages 18+. Dance the night away on the heart strings of love, 1950’s style, as we pay tribute during Black History Month to Tommy Edwards and his multi-million selling song, “It’s All in the Game.” “Many a tear has to fall, but it’s all in the game. All in the wonderful game that we know as love.” “Tommy” was born Thomas Jefferson Edwards on October 15, 1922 and attended Virginia Randolph Training School. He died October 23, 1969, and is buried here in Henrico at Quioccasin Baptist Church Cemetery. Come out and celebrate this award-winning Henrico County African-American Trailblazer. Information: 804-652-1454 at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Avenue, Henrico
African-American Inventors and Inventions, Friday, February 19, 6:30-8pm. $10. Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Avenue, Henrico, Ages 10-13. Celebrate Black History Month by matching the inventors with their inventions. Enjoy pizza with your friends, too! Registration is required. Information: 804-652-1408.
Recapture the Memory Musical Tribute Show, Saturday, February 20, 7pm. $5. Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road Henrico, All ages. Lights, camera, and lots of action! The city is Richmond, but the style is strictly Las Vegas, complete with costume changes, unrivaled entertainment and show-stopping performances paying tribute to Motown legends and musical icons of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets at www.henricolive.com. Information: 804-652-1447.
African Americans at Dabbs, Sat, Feb 27, 1-3pm. Free. Dabbs House Museum, 3812 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, All ages. Discover the many roles African Americans played in the 150+ year history of Dabbs House. Learn the latest information discovered during four separate 15-minute presentations. Learn about the Dabbs’ family slaves; Perry Parks, the enslaved valet of General Lee; and the residents of the almshouse. Meet an African-American Civil War soldier, who will share the little known role of African Americans in the Battle of New Market Heights. Information: 804-652-1428.
Theatre & Company & The Coates Brothers – A Black History Celebration, hosted by Pastor Stephen Pugh, featuring a Martin Luther King Dramatization by Tony Cosby, Theatrical production “Twins The Situation” by The Coates Brothers, Music by Dr. Arthur Roots and The Maggie Walker Alumni Gospel Choir February 12, 3pm at Henrico Theatre, 305 Nine Mile Road, Highland Springs, donations $20. Ticket info Tony Cosby 804-218-6970, The Gospel Book Store 804-236-0825 or Barky’s Record Shop 804-643-1987.
