Black History Month marks a special time of reflection, putting conversations about civil rights and history at the forefront of topics for the month of February. Celebrate here in Lincoln Square with the following events:
At
Jazz at Lincoln Center inside of Dizzy's Club
Coca-Cola (10 Columbus Circle, 5th floor), enjoy a musical experience with a talented ensemble between Friday, January 31 and Sunday, February 3. Titled,
Songs of Freedom with music direction by Ulysses Owens, Jr. featuring René Marie, Theo Bleckmann, & Alicia Olatuja, this program explores the 1960s’ quest for freedom and civil rights through the work of three prolific and uncompromising artists: Joni Mitchel, Abbey Lincoln, and Nina Simone. On each of these three days there will be both a 7:30pm and 9:30pm performance.
Click here for tickets and more info.
On Friday, February 15 at 6:00pm, head to Fordham University's Lincoln Center Campus (113 West 60th Street, 12th Floor Lounge) for a free Black History Month Lecture with Dr. Ruth Wilson Gilmore. According to Fordham's African & American Studies Department, the lecture will cover topics including prison abolitionists and police reform in the U.S.
Click here to register.
On Saturday, February 23 at 2:00pm, Lincoln Center Kids will present
Soundtrack '63 in the Clark Studio Theater (165 West 65th Street, 7th Floor) in honor of Black History Month. This multimedia music performance chronicles the African-American experience from before the Middle Passage through today's Black Lives Matter movement. Through folk and gospel sounds as well as hip-hop music, an 11-piece orchestra and vocal group will present an entertaining and illuminating story of history and spirit. Tickets are $25 each.
Click herefor more info.
Also, WNET/THIRTEEN is a wonderful media partner of the Lincoln Square BID, with Tisch WNET Studios right here on Lincoln Center's campus. This February, THIRTEEN will air a full schedule of programming featuring historical accounts, stories of leaders and icons, and activism today, among other great show topics celebrating Black History Month. The line-up includes a number of episodes in the American Masters series, award-winning biography series covering such icons as Sammy Davis, Jr. and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Plus, on Friday, February 8 at 9:00pm tune into THIRTEEN for a Live from Lincoln Center airing of Pipeline, the story of a public school teacher fighting to save her son.
Additionally, every year the NYC Parks Department hosts events during the month of February to honor black history in the City. Click here to view free and low cost events celebrating the month long commemoration.
Photo credit: LC Kids, Cait McCarthy Photography
