Noted historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History pronounced the second week of February as “Negro History Week” in 1926. The week was selected to note the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and Frederick Douglass on February 14, and the emphasis was to encourage the teaching of history of African-Americans in public schools. While the celebration wasn’t widely adopted, it planted the seed for what would become Black History Month, which was initially proposed in 1969 and observed all across the country in 1976. President Gerald Ford recognized it as a part of the Bicentennial celebrations.
Widely seen as an opportunity to shed light on the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans in American history, several local organizations will use it as a time to not just look back but to also look forward to a new generation of creative energy arising out of the black experience.
Since 1998, the all-volunteer Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis has accompanied the Symphonic Praise Choir for a celebration of gospel music during Black History Month. This year, in their 20th performance, will be at Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Rd. on Feb. 18 from 3-5 p.m. Visit www.brownpapertickets.com for ticket availability.
Arts for Lawrence will be showcasing local African-American music and culture with three events throughout the month at Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave. First up is Queen Delphine & the Crown Jewels performing “A Blues Journey Through History” on Feb. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. Then, Village Voices will perform “Notes from the Griot” Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. featuring under-performed masterpieces of African-American dance, art, music and composition, and will feature several local performers, including Manon Voice, Joshua Allen Thompson, Bashiri Asad, Deonna Craig, and Premium Blend among others. On March 3 at 4 p.m., there will be a grand finale “Because Black History Month Ain’t Over!” Tickets are available online at www.artsforlawrence.org or by calling 317-875-1900.
The Arts Council of Indianapolis has also scheduled special performances, including Kenyetta Dance Company on Feb. 1 at 12:15 p.m. at the Artgarden, storyteller Ryan Bennet on Feb. 2, and Jared Thompson and Premium Blend on Feb. 3. On Feb. 7, the Griot Drum Ensemble will perform, and Lauren Curry on Feb. 8. Visit indyarts.org for more information.
One of the city’s premier cultural events will showcase the accomplishments of 11 prominent African-American artists when The Indianapolis Public Library’s Meet the Artists exhibit celebrates its 30th anniversary with works on display from through April 1 at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
This year’s “Shades of Pearl Showcase” pays tribute to those visual artists whose past participation in Meet the Artists was instrumental in furthering their careers. On display will be works by visual artists Bing Davis, D. Del Reverda-Jennings, James Pate, Kevin West, Mason Archie, Michael Jordan (Alkemi), Roderic Trabue, Samuel E. Vázquez and Lobyn Hamilton, and fabric artist LaShawnda Crowe-Storm. Work from the late Joe Holiday also will be featured.
In addition, works from other visual artists will be exhibited in the Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library. These include Chrystopher Burns, Kimberly Winfrey and Omar Rashan. Also on display will be youth art from students at Art With a Heart and IPS Floro Torrence School 83.
The entire community is invited to celebrate the African-American art and enjoy an evening of cultural entertainment during the Meet the Artists XXX Gala Reception on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 5:30 – 10 p.m. at Central Library. Highlighting this free event will be a presentation by actress and Indiana native Vivica A. Fox. Free parking for the Meet the Artists XXX Gala Reception will be available in Central Library’s parking garage, with overflow parking available at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 650 N. Meridian Street, and at the Landmark Center, 1099 N. Meridian St. Fox also will participate in an award ceremony for the “Shades of Pearl Showcase” artists. Other performers include poet Tasha Jones, illusionist Walter King “Spellbinder,” the Epiphany Dance Collective, the Ground Zero Band, and the Indianapolis Metro Chapter of Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. and many others. There will be many family activities, and the Pearl Showcase Fashion Show will be coordinated by Thierry Baptiste. A number of local authors also will be on hand to sign and sell their books.
Visit indypl.org for a full lineup of events, author signings, and performing artists.
