Black History Month activities in Metro Detroit
Celebrating Black History
Here is a partial list of activities and events honoring Black History Month in Metro Detroit:
Jan. 31-Feb. 28: Monroe County presents its 30th annual Black History Month Blues Series with eight free music concerts for all ages held at branch libraries in the county. Call (734) 241-5277, ext. 206, or visit monroe.lib.mi.us/.
Feb. 1-28: The Detroit Institute of Arts displays its renowned African art collection during all open hours, and offers family-friendly drop-in workshops, guided tours and short film screenings. Admission: free for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne county residents. All others: $12.50 adults, $8 seniors, $7 college students with ID, $6 ages 6-17, and free for children, ages 5 and younger. 5200 Woodward. Call (313) 833-7900 or visit dia.org.
Feb. 1-5, 8-12, 15-19 and 22-26: The Henry Ford Museum offers hands-on activities, African-American inspired food and more about different aspects of African-American history. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Free with museum admission: $22, ages 12-61, $16.25 ages 3-11, $20 ages 62-plus and free for kids 2 and younger. Parking is $6. 20900 Oakwood, Dearborn. Call (313) 982-6001.
Feb. 4, 11, 16, 19, 25, 26: PuppetART Detroit Puppet Theater presents “Oh Ananse!” 2 p.m., and 10 a.m. Feb. 16. Admission: $10 adults, $5 children and $8 for puppet-making session after show. 25 E. Grand River, Downtown Detroit. Call (313) 961-7777.
Feb. 8: The poem, “Caged Bird,” by Maya Angelou is presented. Free. Advanced registration suggested. 11 a.m.-noon. Macomb Community College South Campus, S. Building, 14500 E. 12 Mile, Warren. Call (586) 498-4031.
Feb. 8: The 2012 documentary, “Alice’s Ordinary People,” about a Chicago woman who took on injustice in Chicago during the Civil Rights Movement is presented. Open to adults and children in grades six and beyond. Free. 7 -8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth. Call (734) 327-4200.
Feb. 8 and 28: This film, “Race,” tells the story of Jesse Owens, track and field athlete and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist in the 1936 games. Macomb Community College. South Campus, S. Building (Noon-2:30 p.m., Feb. 8), and Center Campus (11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Feb. 28). Free. Advance registration required. 14500 E. Twelve Mile, Warren. Call (586) 498-4031.
Feb. 9: Jazz on the Streets of Old Detroit features Ivan Benning, one of Detroit’s premiere saxophonists, at the Detroit Historical Museum. Jazz on the Streets is a quarterly music series hosted by the Black Historic Sites Committee. Admission: $15 advance, or $20 at-the-door (light refreshments included). 6-9 p.m. Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward, Detroit. Call (313) 833-7935.
Feb. 9-11: Wild Swan Theater performs “Drum Me a Story,” a collection of African tales in a number of performance styles. 10 a.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. Saturday. Admission: $12 adults, $10 ages 12 and younger and seniors 60-plus, and $3 lap pass. Towsley Auditorium, Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River, Ann Arbor. Call (734) 995-0530.
Feb. 11: Nationally-known photojournalist, researcher and genealogist Dale Rich highlights the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in his “A Dale Rich Collection Black History Month Event.” Noon-4 p.m. Friends Auditorium, Detroit Public Library. Free parking in the library’s lot on Putnam at Cass. 5201 Woodward, Midtown Detroit. Email: dalerichpresents@gmail.com.
Feb. 11: Dossin Great Lakes Museum presents “Proudly We Served,” a 60-minute film about the true story of the USS Mason (DE 529) and its crew, the only African-American sailors to take a U.S. Navy warship into battle during World War II. 2-3 p.m The Strand on Belle Isle, Jefferson at the foot of East Grand Blvd., Detroit. Call (313) 833-5538.
Feb. 18: The Detroit Historical Museum presents its African Americans in the Twentieth Century Tour as part of a series of tours focused on the history, experiences and influences of African-Americans in Detroit. Jamon Jordan, founder of the Black Scroll Network, serves as tour guide. 10-11:30 a.m. Admission: $15 per person, per 90-minute tour. 5401 Woodward, Detroit. Call (313) 833-7935.
Feb. 25: Storytellers Ivory D. Williams and Madelyn Porter and performances by the Alnur African Drum and Dance group with traditional dance, poetry, song and rhythm are all part of the African American History Family Day. The day includes educational and entertaining performances, historical organizations, fun activities and crafts. Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward, Detroit. Call (313) 833-7935.
Compiled by Jocelynn Brown