The City of Rochester kicked off its Black Heritage Month events on Wednesday, when the Rochester Police Department hosted a luncheon catered by Unkl Moe’s Bar-B-Que, with live music performed by F.O.S. Family of Soul.
Family-friendly events sponsored by the city as well as area community groups and organizations are being held throughout the month. The programs offer exciting array of opportunities for people from every background to celebrate Rochester’s rich heritage and cultural diversity. Several of these events -- most of them free -- are listed below. Not listed here are the numerous events -- including free film screenings, seminars and discussions -- being hosted this month by area colleges and universities. For those listings and information, check out each institution’s Web site. The Eastman House also offers an online education kit: “African Americans Through Photography,” at http://education.eastmanhouse.org/discover/kits/kit.php?id=1.
The theme for African American History Month 2012 is “Black Women in American Culture and History.” Instead of focusing on the role of Black women, however, public programs in our region seem to weave this theme into the fabric of the broader African-American experience. For more information, photos, stories and exhibits about African American History Month and African American women in particular, check out this site hosted by The Library of Congress: http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/.
Rochester-Area Black Heritage Month Events
Wednesday, Feb. 1-Friday, March 2, Exhibit: ‘Living the Dream, Paying it Forward’
Free and open to the public during regular library hours. Held in the Lower Link Gallery, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 115 South Ave., Rochester. For information contact the library: (585) 428-8350; www3.libraryweb.org.
Thursday, Feb. 2, An Evening of Art & Jazz, 5:30 p.m.
Hosted by David Haygood, Jr., and featuring local youth artists. Held in the City Hall Link Gallery and Atrium, 30 Church St., Rochester.
Friday, Feb. 3, Gospel Friday, Noon
Featuring Jason Wright and the Master’s Touch. Held in the City Hall Atrium, 30 Church St., Rochester. Friday, Feb. 3, A Taste of Soul, 5:30-7 p.m. Featuring performances by steppers from Schools 16 and 17, and foods prepared by culinary students at East High School. Held at East High School, 1801 Main St., Rochester. For information, call (585) 262-8621.
Sunday, Feb. 5, Gallery Talk: ‘Seven Passages to a Flight,’ 2 p.m.
MAG docent Cynthia Flynn speaks on Faith Ringgold’s story quilt, “Seven Passages to a Flight” (1995). Free with gallery admission. Held at the Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave., Rochester, NY. For information, contact the MAG: (585) 276-8900.
Monday, Feb. 6, Monthly Music Program Celebrates Black History & Valentine’s Day, 12-1 p.m.
Featuring Amy Speiss-Ki, from School #12. Children and adults are invited to celebrate through song, movement and playing instruments. Held at the Monroe County Library’s Highland Branch, 971 South Ave., Rochester.
Wednesday, Feb. 8, ‘Bridging the Gap Between Community & Service,’ 12-1 p.m.
Keynote speaker: Adrian Smalls, instructor, Monroe Community College’s Law and Criminal Justice Department at Damon City Campus. Also featuring performances by community groups. Held at R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center, MCC, 1000 East Henrietta Rd., Brighton. For information, see www.monroecc.edu.
Friday, Feb. 10, Gospel Friday, Noon
Featuring Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Choir. Held in the City Hall Atrium, 30 Church St., Rochester.
Friday, Feb. 10, ‘Encounters with Rochester’s African-American Ancesters,’ 7 p.m. Presented by the Landmark Society of Western New York. Held at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St., Rochester. For information, contact the Landmark Society: (585) 546-7029, or www.landmarksociety.org.
Saturday, Feb. 11, Storytelling, 12-3 p.m.
Sponsored by the Rochester Board of Education. Held at City School District Central Office building, 131 West Broad St., Rochester, 3rd-floor conference room. For information, call (585) 262-8100, or rcsdk12.org.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 'Step Afrika,' 7:30 p.m.
Professional dance troupe. Held at the Cultural Life Center, Roberts Wesleyan College, 2301 Westside Drive, Chili. For information, contact the college: (585) 594-6008, or www.roberts.edu/clc.
Saturday, Feb. 11, Exodus to Jazz Series: The Houston Person Quartet, 8 p.m.
Held at Lutheran Church of the REformation, 111 N. Chestnut St. For information, call (585) 733-7685, or see www.exodustojazz.com or www.brownpapertickets.com.
Sunday, Feb. 12, Services Honoring Rev. Absalom Jones, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Followed by an African-American heritage lunch at 11:30 a.m. Held at St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St., Rochester. For information, call (585) 546-7730, or www.twosaints.org.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 'Reconnecting the Black Church and the Community,' 10:45 a.m.
Speaker: Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, 18th president of the nation's first historically black land-grant institution (founded in 1871). Held at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St., Rochester. For information, contact the church: (585) 232-6742, or mt-olivetbaptistchurch.org.
Sunday, Feb. 12, Film Screening: 'More Than a Month,' 2-4 p.m.
The film questions whether Black History Month has a negative impact on the teaching of Black history. Post-film talk-back with Delores Jackson Radney, founding partner of Kuumba Consultants. Held at WXXI Studios, 280 State St. For information, contact the studio: (585) 325-7500, or www.wxxi.org.
Sunday, Feb. 12, Black History Month Celebration, 4 p.m.
Featuring the Peebles Brothers (from Brooklyn), Rev. Charlie Wells, Greater Harmony Male Chorus and others. Held at Grace Unity Fellowship Church, 986 Joesph Ave. For information contact the church: (585) 613-1954.
Sunday, Feb. 12, The Anointed Jazz Quartet Plus One, 6 p.m.
Members: Lawrence E. Dean, Lawrence K. Blake, William Branch, Melvin Miles, Sr. Held at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St., Rochester. For information, call (585) 232-6742, or mt-olivetbaptistchurch.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, Black History Month Forum, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Iris Banister, educator, pastor and motivational speaker. Hosted by the New York State Courts, 7th Judicial District. Held at the Hall of Justice, Courtroom 7.
Thursday, Feb. 16, Game On, 10 a.m.
Students from School #20 challenge the Rochester Police Department in board games. Not open to the public.
Thursday, Feb. 16, Black History Dinner, 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by School 57. Held at Edgerton Community Center, 41 Backus St., Rochester. For information call (585) 227-0190.
Friday, Feb. 17, Gospel Friday, Noon
Featuring School of the Arts Choir. Held in the City Hall Atrium, 30 Church St., Rochester.
Friday, Feb. 17, Jazz Tribute: 'Four Black Immortals,' 8 p.m.
Tribute to Paul Robeson, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr. Composed by Ernie Wilkins. Narrated by Camille Yarbrough. Held at Auditorium Theatre, 885 East Main St., Rochester. For information call (800) 745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com.
Saturday, Feb. 28, Presentation: Black Participation in World War I, 12 p.m.
Held at Christian Friendship Baptist Church, 165 Beckwith Baptist Church, 165 Beckwith Rd., Hentrietta. For information, call (585) 359-0899.
Saturday, Feb. 18, Heritage Gospel Concert, 6 p.m.
Featuring AKOMA and Voices of Thunder. Held at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St., Rochester.
*Sunday, Feb. 19, Family Day at the MAG, 12-5 p.m.
Featuring hands-on art activities, live music, student presentations, line dancing workshop, dance performances; poet Reenah Golden-Collier; exhibit and panel discussion by artists from Creative Hue Artist Collective; Gullah culture storytelling by Eunice White; drumming by the Dreamseeds; family tours of the exhibition; cultural displays. Free admission. Sponsored by JP Morgan Chase Foundation. Held at the Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave., Rochester, NY. For information, contact the MAG: (585) 276-8900.
Sunday, Feb. 19, Film Screening: 'First Lady of Little Rock,' 2-4 p.m.
Held at WXXI Studios, 280 State St., Rochester. For information, contact the studio: (585) 325-7500, or www.wxxi.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 22, African-American History Trivia Game, 2-3 p.m.
Intended for youth ages 6-12. Held at Sully Branch Library, 939 Bay St., Rochester. For information, contact the library: (585) 428-8208.
Thursday, Feb. 23, Black Heritage Storytelling, 1-2 p.m.
Featuring local storytellers. Held at Ryan Community Center, 530 Webster Ave., Rochester. Sponsored by the City of Rochester. For information, see www.cityofrochester.gov.
Thursday, Feb. 23, AfriKuumba Drum and Dance, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Held at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, in the Kate Gleason Auditorium, 115 South Ave., Rochester. For information, contact the library: (585) 428-8150, or www3.libraryweb.org.
Thursday, Feb. 23, Poetry Reading, 5-6 p.m.
Featuring African-American poets. Held at Sully Branch Library, 939 Bay St., Rochester. For information, contact the library: (585) 428-8208.
Thursday, Feb. 23, Night at the Theatre: "A Raisin in the Sun", Reception, 6:50 p.m.; Performance, 7:30 p.m.
Performances run Feb. 21-March 25. Held at Geva Theatre, 75 Woodbury Blvd., Rochester. Tickets: $37.50 floor level or $35.25 balcony. Tickets can be purchased from Colleen Brown, 232-1366 ext. 3057, or cbrown@gevatheatre.org, Monday through Friday. Tickets are NOT available through the Geva box office.
Thursday, Feb. 23, Sharing Stories that Celebrate Black History, 7-8:30 p.m.
A community discussion around the theme of African Americans and their contributions to America and the world. African Americans share inspirational stories from their history or experiences. Jointly sponsored by the Friends of Penfield Public Library and Monroe Community College. Held at Penfield Public Library, 1985 Baird Rd., Penfield. For information, contact the library: (585) 340-8720.
Friday, Feb. 24, Gospel Friday, Noon
Featuring Elim Sanctuary Choir. Held in the City Hall Atrium, 30 Church St., Rochester.
Saturday, Feb. 25, Presentation: The Great Migration: 1914-1920, 12 p.m.
Held at Christian Friendship Church, 165 Beckwith Rd., Henrietta. For information, call (585) 359-0899.
Saturday, Feb. 25, Bring the Joyful Noise Concert, 4-6 p.m.
Featuring: Voices of Tomorrow (Youth Choir), Holy Light Church of God; Greater Harmony Missionary Baptist Church Male Chorus; Prayer House Church of God by Faith; Top Brass 5th and 6th Grade Stage Band, under direction of Susan Boring and Polly Madsen; Choir composed of Hope Divine Church, RPD officers and others, lead bt Doug Smith. Held at the Public Safety Building, 185 Exchange Blvd., Rochester.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 'Celebrating Our Heritage' Dinner and Music, 5:30-8 p.m.
Soul food dinner with jazz music by A Few Bad Apples. Held at Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, 9 Shelter St. (at Jefferson Avenue).For information, call (585) 473-5645, or (585) 436-4809.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 10th Annual Black Heritage Gala, 6 p.m.
Held in the Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom, 125 East Main St., Rochester. Tickets can be purchased from the City Bureau of Youth Services, 2nd floor of Sibley Bldg., 25 Franklin St., or City Hall Room 202A. For information, call 428-9857 or visit www.blackheritagerochester.org.
Monday, Feb. 27, Student Talent Show, 10 a.m.-Noon
Featuring students from School #50 and Edison Tech. Free and open to the public. Held at the Public Safety Bldg., 185 Exchange Blvd., Rochester.
Saturday, March 3, Presentation: The Harlem Renaissance, 12 p.m.
Held at Christian Friendship Baptist Church, 165 Beckwith Rd., Henrietta. For information, call (585) 359-0899.
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