Each week this month, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder editors will share their top picks for free or low-cost events celebrating Black History Month.
Ongoing
“Minnesota-Spokesman Recorder: Celebrating 85 Years”
@ Hennepin Gallery, A-level Government Center, 300 South 6th St., Mpls.
Savor and reflect on Black History through the lens of the Black Press. The “Minnesota-Spokesman Recorder: Celebrating 85 Years” exhibit, part of the City of Minneapolis’ celebration of Black History Month, places a spotlight on the MSR, the state’s oldest surviving Black newspaper. The richness of Black life in the Twin Cities will be highlighted through the paper’s extensive archives. The exhibit is free, open to the public, and runs until Feb. 28. Exhibit hours are Mon.-Fri., 7:30 am to 6 pm.
Info: www.hennepin.us/hennepingallery
Two Exhibits: “8 Seasons of Art” & “Black Ingenuity”
@ Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG), 1256 Penn Ave. N., 4th Floor, Mpls.
What better way to celebrate Black history than a visit to MAAHMG. The museum is currently offering two exhibits to help ring in the season. “8 Seasons of Art: Exhibition + Documentary,” which opened Jan. 9, is a multi-medium exhibition derived from the documentary of the same name by local film director Phillip McGraw. The exhibit gives visitors an opportunity to watch the documentary and view artworks by visual artists that address issues of social and economic injustice, racism and violence.
The exhibition “Black Ingenuity: Past, Present, and Future Innovators,” which opened Jan. 2, features Blacks in Minnesota who made an impact in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields through their research, inventions, and designs.
Both exhibitions run until May 31. Admission is free and parking is free in the ramp attached to the building. Museum hours are 1-5 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 1-7 pm on Thursday and 9 am-12 pm on Saturday.
Info: www.maahmg.org
February 14
Osseo Speaks: A Black History Month Showcase
5:30 pm @ Osseo Senior High School, 317 2nd Ave. NW, Osseo
Osseo Senior High will open its doors for this scholar-driven event honoring the historic contributions of the past, while fostering a better present and future. The event begins at 5:30 pm with a community dinner, followed by a showcase of performances by Osseo Senior High scholars and guest artists centered on celebrating Black culture, innovators and contributors in history.
There will also be curated art exhibits featuring the creative work of the scholars. This event is free and open to the public.
Info: bit.ly/OsseoSpeaks
February 16
“Are We There Yet? Tales from the American Journey in Black, White and Other”
7-10 pm @ Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Community, 4537 3rd Ave. S., Mpls.
This concert features Thomasina Petrus as she leads a group of musicians and actors in an evening of music and stories, with special focus on women trailblazers like Toni Morrison, Billie Holiday, and Bessie Smith.
The lineup includes T Mychael Rambo, Brittany Delaney, Tonia Hughes, Aimee Bryant, Dan Chouinard, the SJA Choir and more. $10-25.
Info: bit.ly/ThomasinaPetrus
February 19
Documentary: ‘Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am’
3-6:30 pm @ Metropolitan State University, 700 East 7th St., St. Paul
Join this free screening of the 2019 documentary film about the late legendary novelist Toni Morrison. The documentary examines her life, her works, and the powerful themes throughout her literary career. The film also features Oprah Winfrey, Russell Banks, Angela Davis and Barack Obama.
Info: bit.ly/ToniMorrisonDoc
February 20
History Maker at Home Celebration
12-1 pm @ City Hall Rotunda, 350 S. 5th St., Minneapolis
Community members are invited to come out and celebrate this year’s six “History Makers at Home” honorees chosen by the Minneapolis Black Employee Network. The event celebrates leaders from around the state for their commitment to advancing civil rights and removing barriers to equity in the fields of criminal justice, education, economic development, health and more.
This year’s ceremony will feature Deborah Watts, president of the Emmitt Till Legacy Foundation. Award recipients include Tracey Williams-Dillard, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder publisher and CEO; Dr. LaPrincess Brewer, assistant professor, cardiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine; Dr. Brittany Lewis, research associate, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, University of Minnesota; Dr. Verna Cornelia Price and Brother Shane Price, co-founders, The Power of People Leadership Institute; Dr. Artika Tyner, director, Center on Race, Leadership and Social Justice, University of St. Thomas School of Law; and Houston White, owner/creator, HWMR and the Black Excellence Movement. The event is free and open to the public.
Info: www.minneapolismn.gov/civilrights
Black History Month Movie Night
6-8:30 pm @ Central Gym, 3400 4th Ave. S., Mpls.
Every Thursday in February the community is invited to a free movie screening in celebration of Black history. The screenings are sponsored by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and Green Central School. Bring the family and friends out to enjoy a communal gathering to honor the season.
Info: bit.ly/MPRBBHM
Black History Month: Create a Difference with WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil
7-9 pm @ Microsoft Store, Mall of America, 162 S. Ave., Bloomington
In conjunction with Black History Month, this free event at the Microsoft Store will feature a prerecorded stream of WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil. In celebration of Black History Month, students ages 8+ will use research and identify a cause they care about in their local community.
By the end of the workshop, students will have learned to research areas of interest and develop personal passions and understand new ways to make connections with others.
Info: bit.ly/MicrosoftBHM
February 21
Book Release: ‘A Garden of Black Joy: Global Poetry’
7-9 pm @ The Loft Literary Center, 1011 Washington Ave S., Suite 200, Mpls.
For two years, Black Table Arts has gathered poems from around the world on Black joy. In celebration of the release of the book, “A Garden of Black Joy: Global Poetry from the Edges of Liberation & Living,” community members are invited to a free offering of poetry, including a discussion with the writers. The event takes place inside the Target Performance Hall at the Loft Literary Center.
Info: www.BlackTableArts.com
The Convert
7:30 pm @ Gremlin Theatre, 550 Vandalia St., St. Paul
‘The Convert’ is a powerful play exploring British colonialism in southern Africa and the use of Christianity for cultural disruption. The play explores the struggle between tribal customs and the ways of the British settlers. As tensions rise in the nearby villages, resistance could mean death. The play runs until March 15. $25-30.
Info: franktheatre.org/events/the-convert
The Gathering
12-2 pm @ Mama Sheila’s House of Soul Food Restaurant, 3744 Bloomington Ave., Mpls.
Be a part of The Gathering, a special live taping by the Twin Cities Radio Network in honor of Black History Month. Every Thursday throughout February, the network will tape its community show entitled ICARE (Increasing Community Awareness Responsibility Education) and the community is invited to take part in the live recording.
Info: Email wesleyx59@yahoo.com or call 612-385-9139
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