America's museums will hold countless celebrations for Black History Month 2007, offering film screenings, community events, historical reflections, musical performances and art exhibitions. The following highlights are just a few of the programs that museums of all scopes and sizes—from Alabama to Alaska—will hold under this year's theme, "From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas."
FILM SCREENINGS
American Jazz Museum, Kansas City, Mo.
"Dime on the Vine,"Sundays during February
A celebration of black film in Kansas City's historic jazz district, offering 10-cent tickets to classic films like Carmen and Watermelon Man.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
"Black History Month: Three Movie Classics," Feb. 9–24
Coinciding with "The Vintage Years: Movie Posters from the Early Years of Black Cinema," an exhibition at Houston's Heritage Society, this series features three landmark films.
River Road African American Museum, Donaldsonville, La.
"L'Applause: Louisiana Black Film Festival," Feb. 12–March 12
An exhibition and film series featuring 25 vintage movie posters and four Sunday movie matinees.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Anchorage Museum, Anchorage, Alaska
"Poetic Voices," Feb. 17
Members of the community are invited to read a poem or brief selection from African-American literature on the theme of the church or the power of faith.
Anniston Museum of Natural History, Anniston, Ala.
Black Heritage Festival, Feb. 17
Part of Alabama's longest-running celebration of Black History Month, this year's festival will feature an oratory competition and performances by the Stillman College Choir.
Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn.
15th Annual African Americans in Science, Feb. 17
Visitors are introduced to scientists, inventors and educators from the Twin Cities' African-American community.
HISTORICAL REFLECTIONS
American Museum of Natural History, New York
"Dedicated to Dunham," Feb. 25
Performances, workshops and symposia will be held in honor of Katherine Dunham, an anthropologist, dancer, choreographer, teacher, humanitarian and historian.
Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort, Ky.
Clio’s Corner: "Kentucky African Americans in the Military," Feb. 1
Learn about black Kentuckians who fought in conflicts from the Civil War through the Gulf War.
USS Constitution Museum, Boston
"Stranger in a Strange Land," Feb. 7
A dramatic performance about David Debias, who journeyed from his home on Beacon Hill to work on the decks of the USS Constitution before being captured as a suspected runaway slave.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
"Heroes of Parlor Town: African American Composers in Early Popular Music," Feb. 2
Pianist Brent Watkins traces the roots and history of Ragtime music, as well as the racial climate during the first 20 years of the 20th century.
Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Conn.
"Make a Shekere," Feb. 10
"Learn to Drum and Dance," Feb. 17 and 24
Craft a percussion instrument using a hollowed-out gourd, string and beads and learn to move to the West African rhythms of Mali, Guinea and Senegal.
Oakland Museum of Art, Oakland, Ca.
"In Search of Human Culture: Songs and Stories of the African American in the 21st Century," Feb. 2
Actress, teacher, singer and writer Rhodessa Jones explores the African-American experience through songs, stories and video presentations.
ART EXHIBITIONS
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
"African Voices": Exhibition Tour, Feb. 9
An insider's view of the permanent exhibition "African Voices," which examines the diversity, dynamism and global influence of Africa's peoples and cultures.
Old State House Museum, Little Rock, Ark.
"A Piece of My Soul: Quilts by Black Arkansans," Feb. 3
The museum's collection of more than 100 African-American quilts, many of which were created by multi-generational families.
Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah, Ga.
"African-American Art from the Permanent Collection," Jan. 30–March 4
Works by artists including Jacob Lawrence, Sam Gilliam and Radcliffe Bailey and notable local artists such as John Mitchell and Luther Vann.
