Each week this month, MSR editors share their top picks for events celebrating Black History Month.
February 12
History Lounge: Reconstruction in Minnesota
7-8 pm @ Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Free
When emancipation became the law of the land, White Minnesotans — who had previously championed African Americans in the state — began to abandon the fight for racial equality during Reconstruction. Hear Dr. Bill Green, history professor at Augsburg University and author of The Children of Lincoln: White Paternalism and the Limits of Black Opportunity in Minnesota, 1860–1876, expound on this part of Minnesota history.
Info: bit.ly/MNRecontstruction or 651-259-3015
February 14
Selma Movie Screening
6-8 pm @ Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 West Broadway Ave., Brooklyn Park. Free
Ava DuVernay’s award-winning film chronicles the journey of Dr. Martin Luther King and other activists who marched from Selma to Montgomery, despite violent opposition.
Info: bit.ly/BHMSelmaScreening or 612-543-5669
Not in Our Neighborhood!
7-9 pm @ Landmark Center, 75 5th Street W., St. Paul. $10
Presented by Minnesota Landmarks, and written by Tom Fabel and Eric Wood and directed by Eric Wood, this original historical play depicts the true story of vicious opposition by White Groveland Park citizens to an African American couple moving into their neighborhood in 1924. The play runs until Feb. 23 with select dates. As of press time, tickets were available for shows on the 14, 22 & 23.
Info: bit.ly/NotOurNeighborhood
Spike Lee Film Series: BlackKlansMan Screening
7 pm @ SLC 120, Winona State University, Winona; Free and open to the public
BlackKklansMan is the first of five movie screenings devoted to the work of director Spike Lee, Winona State’s Film Studies program and Office of Diversity and Inclusion are collaborating on this film series that runs until Feb. 28. Four Little Girls screens on Feb. 18.
Info: bit.ly/SpikeLeeSeries
February 15
BLACK film screening at Parkway Theater
7:30 pm @ The Parkway Theater, 4818 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis
The Parkway Theater will hold a public screening of BLACK, a modern-day Malcolm X story, told through the eyes of a Black man who witnesses his brother’s murder by police during a routine traffic stop. In response to the murder, he goes on to create a movement of Black people to fight against systemic oppression and police violence.
Info: https://bit.ly/2B6tTZ2
February 16
Minneapolis History Harvest Exhibit Opening Reception
1-5 pm @ Hennepin History Museum, 2303 3rd Ave., S., Minneapolis. Free
The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG) and the Hennepin History Museum have partnered for a new exhibit that tells the stories of Minneapolis’ African American communities through keepsakes. The exhibit will run simultaneously at MAAHMG until June 2.
Info: maahgm.org
Black History Celebration
4-7 pm @ Midtown Global Village, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis. Free
Enjoy a night of performances and entertainment in honor of Black history and culture.
Info: bit.ly/MidtownBHM
February 17
BLACKapella
7-10 pm @ H. White Men’s Room, 1500 North 44th Ave., Minneapolis. $15
Artists of various genres perform acapella in celebration of Black narratives. The event will feature four intimate, acapella performances from Nazeem, Destiny Roberts, Courtland Pickens and SoloStar.
Info: bit.ly/BLACKapella
February 20
The Radical History of the Black Freedom Movement
6:30 pm @ University of Minnesota – Blegen Hall, 269 19th Ave., S. Minneapolis
A veteran of the Black Liberation Movement, Frank Chapman, leads a discussion on the historic fight of Black people for self-determination, and the ties between the struggles for Black liberation and socialism.
Info: bit.ly/BlackFreedomHistory
Diesel Heart Book Launch with Melvin Carter Jr.
6:30-8:30 pm @ Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Canteen Room, 270 N. Kent St, St. Paul. Free
Melvin Carter Jr., former St. Paul Police officer and father of the city’s current mayor, will reflect on his journey growing up in St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood, in advance of the Minnesota Historical Society’s release of his book Diesel Heart. The event includes music by Mathew Carter Sr. and a book signing.
Info: bit.ly/DieselHeart
“Touching Hearts While Healing Mine: Storytelling and Songs of the Civil Rights Movement” with Ms. Bettie Mae Fikes
6-8 pm @ Coffman Memorial Union Theater, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; Free
Known as the “Voice of Selma,” gospel and blues singer Ms. Bettie Mae Fikes was born in Selma, Ala. and is a descendant of a long line of country gospel singers and preachers. Catch her in concert with the Wayman A.M.E. Church Men’s Profit of Praise, Minneapolis; Batume Gingery, Black Panther Chicago 1969 and jazz drummer; and Pierre Lewis, keyboardist for the Commodores.
Info: bit.ly/BettieMaeFikes
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
6:30-7:30 pm @ Page Theatre, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, 700 Terrace Heights, Winona. Free
Billed as an accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson, this play recounts the joys and sorrows of Harriet Tubman who freed herself and hundreds of others from the bonds of slavery.
Info: bit.ly/HarrietTubmanPageTheatre
February 21
5th annual Twin Cities Black History Month Networking Soirée
5:30-8:30 pm @ Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave., S, Reception Hall
Minneapolis. Free
This event promises a sophisticated evening of African American art, networking, and culture, with over 250 professionals from across Minneapolis and St. Paul. Appetizers will be on-hand and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Dress to impress!
Info: bit.ly/BHMSoiree
Add your own events free of charge at spokesman-recorder.com/calendar
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.