Here are 16+ events and ways to celebrate Black History Month in Louisville
Gege ReedFebruary is Black History Month, and there are numerous events, both in-person and virtually, to help celebrate the history and culture of Black Americans. From movie screenings to concerts, to history and discussions, for children and adults, there's something for everyone, no matter how you want to celebrate.
Judas and the Black Messiah: Part of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival
WHAT: The story of FBI informant William O’Neal and how he infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party. J. Edgar Hoover fears the leader Chairman Fred Hampton will emerge as a Black Messiah. Presented by the Speed Art Museum and the Sundance Institute.
WHERE: 2035 S. Third St.
WHEN: Feb. 1, 9-11 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: $25. Masks are required; speedmuseum.org.
Fathom Celebrates Black History Month
WHAT: Black History Month film series: "Woman in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA" (Feb. 2); "Ray" (Feb. 9 & 13); "Get on Up" (Feb. 23 & 27); "God’s Compass" (Feb. 25 & 26) and "Boyz n the Hood 30th Anniversary" (Feb. 28 & March 3).
WHERE: Various theaters in Kentucky
WHEN: Feb. 1 through March 3
MORE INFORMATION: Masks are required. For times, locations and tickets visit FathomEvents.com/blackhistorymonth.
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Microsoft’s Legacy Project
WHAT: Microsoft’s has partnered with the Ali Center and other museums, historical landmarks, cultural centers, athletes and civic influencers worldwide for a month-long series of free immersive and interactive experiences for K-12 schools and communities to learn about and celebrate Black History.
WHERE: Online.
WHEN: Feb. 1-28
MORE INFORMATION: To register visit: sway.office.com/ZWfSTm0Rdn8jpLfX?ref=Link. For more information email: inclusivecommunity@service.microsoft.com.
African American Theatre Program Graduate Certificate Fundraiser #GiveBlack28
WHAT: This Black History Month, the AATP is raising money for its scholarship fund. The money will be used to assist students who are pursuing a Graduate Certificate in African American Theatre (the only accredited certificate of its kind in the country). This is the AATP’s 28th Anniversary, and they will celebrate with the 28 days of Black history month. Please consider giving a donation of $28 or more to invest in the future of Black artists.
WHERE: Giving Links will be available on Feb. 1 on its Facebook page, facebook.com/officialuoflaatp and on their louisville.edu/theatrearts/aatp.
WHEN: Feb. 1-28
MORE INFORMATION: louisville.edu/theatrearts/aatp.
“The Sky’s the Limit" Exhibit
WHAT: “The Sky’s the Limit: A Celebration of the History of Black Achievement in Aviation.” The exhibit will spotlight 14 individuals and organizations including: Bessie Coleman, First Black woman to receive a pilot’s license; Katherine Johnson, Black female mathematician who helped send NASA astronaut on Earth-orbiting mission; and Robert Lawrence, Pilot designation as the first Black astronaut.
WHERE: Bowman Field. Inside the historic Art-Deco terminal building, 2815 Taylorsville Road
WHEN: Through Feb. 28, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Dusting Off the Classics: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'
WHAT: A discussion of the play “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” by August Wilson with Christopher Proctor. Proctor is an academic librarian and faculty member at Indiana University Southeast Library. The play is available through the Floyd County Library as an e-book on Overdrive. Presented by the Floyd County Library.
WHERE: Zoom
WHEN: Feb. 2, 6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Register at nafclibrary.libcal.com/event/7424693, and a Zoom link will be sent. For those who have a Netflix subscription, you can watch the recent film adaptation of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."
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Black History Month Experience
WHAT: Love & Laughter with Case and Junior J. Hosted by Dusty Lewis.
WHERE: The Pam Room, 1821 W. Jefferson St.
WHEN: Feb. 6, 7 and 10 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Tickets start at $35. 502-581-1251; eventbrite.com.
Black History for Children
WHAT: An interactive live online presentation for families. Two child superheroes take a journey into Black history. The presentation consists of multiple-choice questions, quizzes, short narrations, archive pictures and Black history illustrations. Presented by the Simon Education team, led by award-winning writer and educationalist, David Simon.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 6, 12:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free, but registration is required. eventbrite.com.
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Nation in Crisis
WHAT: Commonwealth Theatre Center presents this interactive show that transports audiences to pivotal moments from the Civil Rights Era featuring Jacqui Blue, portraying various witnesses to historical events including the formation of the Tuskegee Airmen, the desegregation of Little Rock High School, the death of Emmett Till, the Greensboro Sit-Ins, The Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Voting Rights Act, and the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
WHERE: Zoom
WHEN: Feb. 6, 2 and 7 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Following the performance a discussion with Jacqui Blue and writer/director Keith McGill. $10. Tickets and more information: commonwealththeatre.org/2021/01/nation-in-crisis-a-special-virtual-event.
African American Film Series: 'Harriet'
WHAT: The story of Harriet Tubman and how she helped slaves escape through the Underground Railroad. Staring Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe and Leslie Odom Jr. Presented by the Louisville Free Public Library in partnership with University of Louisville Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Rated: PG-13. An online panel discussion follows the film. Registration is required and online screening seats are limited.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 7, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Registration is requested. lfpl.org.
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Family History: Researching Your African-American Ancestors
WHAT: Melissa Wiseheart, of the Floyd County Library's Indiana Room, will present how to research your ancestors back to the Civil War era. Two case studies will be shown on how to research a non-enslaved ancestor and an enslaved ancestor once you trace them back that far. Links to online resources will be provided. Presented by the Floyd County Library.
WHERE: Zoom
WHEN: Feb. 8, 5:30-7 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Register at nafclibrary.libcal.com/event/7495484. 812-944-8464; floydlibrary.org.
The Harlem Renaissance Fast Class
WHAT: Dr. David Anderson, University of Louisville, Department of English, will discuss the literature, music, art, and theatre of the Harlem Renaissance. Part of the MyLibraryU Fast Class.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 9, 6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: The class is free and will be streamed to Facebook. Registration is requested. 502-574-1623; lfpl.org.
Black History Month Celebration: Three contemporary Black women inventors
WHAT: Features three Black women inventors: Aprille Ericsson, Ayanna Howard, and Arlyne Simon. Dr. Aprille Ericsson was the first woman (and the first African American woman) to receive a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Howard University and the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in engineering as a civil servant at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Dr. Ayanna Howard is the founder and Chief Technology Officer of Zyrobotics. Dr. Arlyne Simon is a biomedical engineer at Intel’s Health and Life Science business unit.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 10, noon-1:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. Registration is required. eventbrite.com.
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African American Film Series: 'Fences'
WHAT: The story of a working-class, African American father trying to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life. Starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Presented by the Louisville Free Public Library in partnership with University of Louisville Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Rated: R. An online panel discussion follows the film. Registration is required and online screening seats are limited.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 14, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Registration is requested. lfpl.org.
African American Theatre Program Virtual Cafe Open Mic
WHAT: Performances from University of Louisville undergraduate, graduate, and alumni students. The majority of this presentation was filmed as a live virtual experience for the artists involved.
WHERE: Facebook, Youtube, and Zoom
WHEN: Feb. 14, 6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Links for the Zoom Party, Youtube and Facebook can be found by searching/following @OfficialUofLAATP on Facebook and Instagram. Facebook page: facebook.com/officialuoflaatp; YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC1b6peBZlFGmCCWgTWIl9bg.
The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food
WHAT: Learn about the global African food diaspora and sustainable farming in the United States and read “The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food” by Marcus Samuelsson. Part of the Louisville Zoo's Conservation and Conversations Series. Each participants will receive a discussion guide (including book, film, and podcast recommendations) and access to a 60-minute live virtual discussion with Zoo educators.
WHERE: Online.
WHEN: Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Book available through Louisville Free Public Library or wherever books are sold. For ages 18 and older. $10. louisvillezoo.org.
Black History Month Wellness Program
WHAT: The Power Within You to Take Charge of Your Health. An interactive discussion on how to take charge of your health and well-being in 2021 and beyond. Michele Harbin will lead the discussion. Harbin is a Board Certified Operating Room Registered Nurse, member of the Health Ministries Association and member of the Holistic Nurses Association. She is a former member of the Metro Louisville Board of Health and a former adjunct instructor of Spencerian College, American National University and Bellarmine University’s Office of Continuing and Professional Studies. Presented by the Floyd County Library.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: February 18, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Register at nafclibrary.libcal.com/event/7494864 to receive a link to join the discussion. For more information: floydlibrary.org and 812-944-8464.
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Black History Improvised
WHAT: Comedy show celebrating the lives of our everyday heroes. Presented by Soul Sista Comedy and Marian Yesufu.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 20, 10 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free, but donations accepted. eventbrite.com.
Black History Month Performance Series
WHAT: A tribute to the Martin Luther King "I Have A Dream" speech, intertwined with Negro spirituals by artists such as Harry Belafonte and Bernice Johnson Reagon. Also celebrate the history of Black innovation in jazz music and dance
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 20, 8-9 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: $10. eventbrite.com.
African American Film Series: 'Good Hair'
WHAT: Prompted by a question from his young daughter, comic Chris Rock sets out to explore the importance of hair in black culture. Presented by the Louisville Free Public Library in partnership with University of Louisville Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Rated: PG-13. An online panel discussion follows the film. Registration is required and online screening seats are limited.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Registration is requested. lfpl.org.
Fifteenth Annual Thomas Merton Black History Month Lecture
WHAT: Topic: Lead Me, Guide Me’: The Gift of Black Catholics to the Universal Church. Speaker: Dr. Christopher Pramuk, Regis University Chair of Ignatian Thought and Imagination, Associate Professor of Theology and the author of six books.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 21, 3 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. Register at: bit.ly/Merton15register.
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Annual African American Read-In
WHAT: Members of Louisville’s creative community will present readings and performances of works by African American artists and historical figures.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 22, 6:30-8 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. lfpl.org.
Black Superhero Showcase
WHAT: A celebration of African American History Month focusing on graphic novels, artwork and activities featuring some of the media's most popular and not-so-popular black superheroes.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 27, 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: For ages 5 and older. Free. lfpl.org.
African American Film Series: 'Detroit'
WHAT: Fact-based drama set during the 1967 Detroit riots in which a group of rogue police officers respond to a complaint with retribution rather than justice on their minds. Starring John Boyega, Algee Smith and Will Poulter. Presented by the Louisville Free Public Library in partnership with University of Louisville Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Rated: R. An online panel discussion follows the film. Registration is required and online screening seats are limited.
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Feb. 28, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Registration is requested. lfpl.org.
Reach News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.