Black History Month is a time to reflect, rejoice and primarily, remember.
Many events are taking place in Connecticut this year to teach about Black movers and shakers from years past. Other events are just geared toward having fun, or basking in the art made by Black creatives.
Here is a list. It is not all-inclusive.
Through Feb. 12
“Celebrating Diversity,” an art exhibit with work by Michael Borders, Stanwyck Cromwell, Linda Martin, Joe Sam and EdJohnetta Miller, is on view until Feb. 12 at the Saltbox Gallery at West Hartford Art League, 37 Buena Vista Road. westhartfordart.org.
Feb. 3
Laura DelGado Clemens will portray legendary jazz singer Nancy Wilson in a show at Norwich Arts Center, 62 Broadway, on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. $22, $20 seniors, military and students, $18 NAC members. norwicharts.org/events
Feb. 3-8
Cinestudio, the cinema at 300 Summit St. at Trinity College in Hartford, continues its “Celebrating African American Directors Series” with Bill Gunn’s 1980 drama “Personal Problems.” It will be shown Feb. 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 4 and 5 at 2 p.m. $5. cinestudio.org.
Feb. 4
“Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad,” a one-person family-friendly show performed by Adwoa Bandele-Asante, will be Feb. 4 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams St. in New London. Free. lymanallyn.org/events-2/harriet-tubman-a-women-with-a-railroad.
UConn’s African Students Association presents its annual fashion show, “Sankofa: The Year of Return” on Feb. 4 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs. Free. Reserve a spot at eventbrite.com/e/uconn-asa-presents-sankofa-the-year-of-return-tickets-502876746887?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
“Make It Funky,” a concert of Eugene Dobbs and the Nu-Cullers Band and The Bernadettes will be Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. at Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport. $30 to $40. bijoutheatrect.spacecrafted.com.
Feb. 5
The Rock and Roll Playhouse presents “The Music of Prince for Kids and More, A Black History Month Celebration” on Feb. 5 at noon at The Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St. in Hamden. Music is at a low volume. $15. eventbrite.com/e/music-of-prince-for-kids-more-tickets-491977186007?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Feb. 8
A screening of “Homecoming,” a film about Beyonce at Coachella in 2018, will be shown Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport. $10. bijoutheatrect.spacecrafted.com.
“Selma,” the 2014 historical drama about Martin Luther King Jr., will be screened on Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. Followed by a filmed interview with Karen Boykin-Towns of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Free. ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/selma-free-diversity-film-screening.
Feb. 9
A Zoom program, “Serving Up History: Prince Mortimer Revisited” will be Feb. 9 at 12:30 p.m. from Webb Deane Stevens Museum, 211 Main St. in Wethersfield. Historian John Mills will discuss the man from Guinea who was kidnapped to New England in 1730 at age 6 and died at 110 in 1834 while serving a life sentence at Wethersfield prison. Free. facebook.com/webbdeanestevens.
Capital Community College’s Black Heritage Project will present Dr. Jelani Cobb, author of “The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress,” on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m., preceded by a reception at 5 p.m., at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St. in Hartford. The event, part of the Rev. James W.C. Pennington Lecture series, is free, but space is limited. thewadsworth.org.
“Unsung Heroes: The Music of Jazz in New Haven,” a documentary about the musical history of the city’s Dixwell neighborhood, will be shown Feb. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at NXTHVN, 169 Henry St. in New Haven. After the film there will be a Q&A, moderated by the film’s co-writer Frank Mitchell, with Delores Greenlee, Jesse Hameen II and Ryan Sands. Free. Masks encouraged but not required. jazzhaven.org/venue/nxthvn.
Urban League of Greater Hartford will host its 2023 annual Black History Month Celebration, which will showcase African American, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latino cultures in the Capital Region, on Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. The theme is “A Legacy Revealed | A Glimpse of Hope.” The event will include entertainment, exhibits and a ceremony honoring local residents. The event’s emcees are: Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad, executive director and founder of My People Clinical Services in Hartford; and Matthew Rivera, executive director of The Dream Support Network in Hartford. Free. ulghlegacyrevealed2023.eventbrite.com.
Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead, associate professor of communication and African and African American Studies at Loyola University Maryland, will present the keynote lecture, themed “Social Justice Now,” at the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University, 1073 N Benson Road. Free. fairfield.edu/mlk.
Feb. 9, 16, 23
Genealogist Sandra Taitt-Eaddy will lead a three-part Zoom series on African American and Caribbean genealogy, presented by Windsor Historical Society. Sessions will be Feb. 9, 16 and 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Advanced registration required. $20 per session or $50 for all three. Register at windsorhistoricalsociety.org/eaddy-genealogy.
Feb. 9 to July 2
“My Heart is Light in the Void: Merik Goma,” an exhibit of work by the New Haven photographer, will run Feb. 9 to July 2 at Amistad Center for Art & Culture, 600 Main St. in Hartford, inside the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. The exhibit will open Feb. 9 with a reception at 5 p.m. amistadcenter.org/events.
Feb. 11
“Black Connecticans, Ordinary and Extraordinary,” a talk about African American historic figures from Connecticut, will be held on Feb. 11 in two sessions, from 11 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 3 p.m., at Connecticut Historical Society, 1 Elizabeth St. in Hartford. $15, $10 for CHS members. chs.org/event/black-connecticans-ordinary-and-extraordinary/2023-02-11.
Ujima African American Alliance will hold its annual Black History Fundraiser for its Juneteenth event on Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Enfield Public Library, 104 Middle Road. The library will receive 10% of the donation proceeds to purchase books by African American authors. uaaaenfield@gmail.com.
“Second Saturdays for Families: Black History Month” will be held Feb. 11 from noon to 2 p.m. at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St. in Hartford. Participating in the activities are artist Marsh and bassist Conway Campbell Jr. Free. thewadsworth.org/visit/events.
“Till,” the 2022 film drama about Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, who was slain in 1955, will be shown Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.n. at Garde Arts Center, 325 State St. in New London. Rated PG-13. $14. gardearts.org/events/till.
Feb. 15
“For Adam’s Sake: A Family Saga in Colonial New England,” a lecture by Allegra DiBonaventura about her book on colonial New London families and the people they enslaved. It will be Feb. 15 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams St. in New London. $15, $10 museum members. Virtual attendance also is offered. lymanallyn.org/events-2/thames-river-heritage-park-lecture-for-adams-sake-a-family-saga-in-colonial-new-england.
“A Black History Month Concert: Celebrating Music of the African-American Tradition,” a show of spirituals, gospel, jazz, blues and R&B, will be held on Feb. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Enfield Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 1295 Enfield St. Admission is free but donations will be accepted to help the Opera House players move into their new home. enfielducc.org/calendar.
A screening of “Judas and the Black Messiah,” the 2021 historical drama about the betrayal of Black Panther Fred Hampton by an FBI informant, will be Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport. $10. bijoutheatrect.spacecrafted.com.
Feb. 16
“Beyond Black History Month: Educators in Conversation” will take place Feb. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Connecticut’s Old State House 800 Main St. in Hartford. Black educators from all school levels will discuss Black History Month and its role in Connecticut classrooms. Moderated by Dr. Duncan Harris, CEO of Capital Community College. The panel will be followed by a round-table discussion with the audience. Refreshments. Free. bit.ly/2023OSHBeyondBlackHisotyMonth.
The Hartford Yard Goats, in collaboration with The Sto Black Marketplace, will host a Black Business Expo on Feb. 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, 1214 Main St. in Hartford. Black entrepreneurs will show their wares. Networking, music by DJ Q Boogie, dance performances by Studio 860. Free. Register at https://bit.ly/3ZU4tr5.
Feb. 17
“Gang Poetry (Gaining Attention Nonstop Globally)” with Shenna Graham is Feb. 17 at 87 p.m. at Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport. Presented by WPKN. $30 to $35. bijoutheatrect.spacecrafted.com.
Feb. 17-18
“R.E.S.P.E.C.T.,” a musical tribute to Aretha Franklin, will be performed Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 18 at 2 and 8 p.m. at The Palace Theater, 100 East Main St. in Waterbury. The show features renditions of “Natural Woman,” “Think,” “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Chain of Fools,” “Respect” and other classic hits. $45 to $85. palacetheaterct.org/shows-and-events/main-stage/respect.
Feb. 17-22
Cinestudio, the cinema at 300 Summit St. at Trinity College in Hartford, continues its “Celebrating African American Directors Series” with Charles Burnett’s legendary “Killer of Sheep.” It will be shown Feb. 17, 18, 20, 21 and 22 at 7 p.m.; Feb. 18 and 19 at 2 p.m.; and Feb. 18 at 4:30 p.m. $5. cinestudio.org.
Feb. 18
The UConn Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers presents its 2023 Black Women in STEM Brunch on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UConn Alumni Center Banquet Hall, 2384 Alumni Drive in Storrs. Business casual attire requested. Food, drinks, guest speakers, live entertainment. $5. eventbrite.com/e/2023-black-women-in-stem-brunch-tickets-504975434117?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Ruby’s Realm presents “Her Story,” which tells the stories of tragedies and triumphs in the lives of six Black women, on Feb. 18 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. $25. eventbrite.com.
Feb. 21
“Black Art Heals,” Ephraim Adamz’s documentary that follows “six Black artists and activists from Hartford who travel south during the pandemic in search of community, connection and inspiration,” will be shown Feb. 21 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Art Cinema, 255 Franklin Ave. in Hartford. $5, or more to buy a sponsorship to Black Art Heals. eventbrite.com/e/black-art-heals-tickets-495180617557?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Feb. 22
Dr. Felton Best, professor of philosophy and African American and religious studies at Central Connecticut State University, will discuss his book “Not in Our Own Backyards: African Americans in the Civil Rights Movement of the North” at Plainville Public Library, 56 E. Main St., on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. The event is presented by Plainville Anti-Racism Task Force. Free. facebook.com/PlainvillePublicLibrary.
Feb. 24
“Hartford Chorale Presents: Music of David Hurd and Margaret Bonds,” two African American composers, will be Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford. The program includes the Connecticut premiere of Hurd’s “In Honor Of Martin” and Bonds’ “Credo,” with text by W.E.B. Du Bois. The chorale will be joined by soloists Jolie Rocke and Marques Jerrell Ruff and members of Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Harlem Chamber Players. bushnell.org/shows-concerts/hartford-chorale-presents-music-of-david-hurd-and-.
Feb. 25
“Family Fun Dayz: Black History Month Celebration” is Feb. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St. in Waterbury. Scavenger hunt to find pieces from Black artists, collages inspired by Alma Thomas and a meet-and-greet with The Masters of the Bee, an all-Black Ultimate Frisbee Team. Free with museum admission. mattmuseum.org/calendar/family-fun-dayz-black-history-month-celebration.
The arts incubator NXTHVN will present its second annual “Voices in Power: A Spoken Word Event” on Feb. 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at its hub at 169 Henry St. in New Haven. The showcase of Black voices will include nationally known spoken-word artists including Kimolee Eryn, Tarishi “Midnight” Shuler and Oso the Poet, as well as high school apprentices of NXTHVN. Free. Masks encouraged but not required. nxthvn.com.
Feb. 26
Akeia de Barros Gomes, who curated the book “3 Steps Forward, 2 Steps Back: A Look at Social Justice thru Art & History,” will discuss the book and give a slide presentation on Feb. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Norwich Arts Center, 62 Broadway. De Barros Gomes’ curatorial work focuses on race, indigenous histories, ethnicity and diversity. $10, plus $24.95 for a copy of the book. norwicharts.org/events.
“An Afro-Caribbean in the Nazi Era,” a presentation by about a West Indian civilian, Lionel Romney, who was imprisoned in a German concentration camp, will be Feb. 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. at West Indian Social Club of Hartford, 3340 Main St. Speaker is Romney’s daughter, Mary L. Romney-Schaab. Free. westindiansocialclub.org/events/black-history-2023-an-afro-caribbean-in-the-nazi-era.
Feb. 28
“Book of the Greats: Creating a Scrapbook of African American Legends” is a free workshop to be held Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. at Windsor Public Library, 323 Broad St. Scrapbook materials and some pictures will be available, but participants also can bring in their own pictures for their scrapbooks. windsorpl.librarycalendar.com/event/book-greats-creating-scrapbook-african-american-legends.
Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
