Uncover Black History in Lincoln Square This February

With the calendar flipped to February, several local institutions and organizations are honoring and celebrating Black History Month. The events, performances, and exhibits create a rich tapestry of the achievements, resilience, and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Keep reading for a glimpse of the enlightening and educational Black History Month events taking place in and around Lincoln Square.

This month you’ll find a wide range of engaging events on the Lincoln Center campus that highlight the history and experience of Black artists from a multitude of cultures and contexts. For free events, head to the David Rubenstein Atrium (61 W 62nd Street between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway). As part of the Beats, Rhymes & Sights series celebrating hip-hop (featured in our recent story), you can attend a screening of the movie Juice (1992) and a talkback with actor Omar Epps on February 8 at 7:30pm. On February 22 at 7:30pm, a discussion and performance, Voices of a People’s History will shed light on suppressed Black history and provide the tools to fight for a just future.

Choose-what-you-pay events are another great way to experience Lincoln Center at an affordable price. Consider attending a family-friendly performance by Leyla McCalla, where young audiences will get an introduction to Haiti's musical and political traditions and learn about the nation's connections to American history. McCalla will give five performances at the Clark Studio Theater (W 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue) from February 16 through February 18. Then, from February 22 through February 24, see celebrated choreographer Alonzo King and his company Alonzo King LINES Ballet make their Lincoln Center debut with Deep River at the Rose Theater (Broadway at West 60th Street). Deep River melds dance with spiritual music from the Black, Jewish, and Indian traditions and invites audiences to consider the physical beauty and majesty of humanity as the pinnacle of creation.

At the northwest corner of the Lincoln Center Campus, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center (111 Amsterdam Ave between W 64th and W 65th) will show Border Crossings: Exile and American Modern Dance, 1900-1955, through March 16. The exhibit focuses on the immense contributions of artists of color and artists from immigrant or Indigenous communities and their contributions to modern dance in the U.S. Those who are blind or low-vision can attend a free virtual verbal description workshop of the exhibition on February 10 at 1:00pm. Then, on February 28 at 1:00pm, dance educator and Black popular culture scholar Dr. Halifu Osumare will speak about her book, Dancing the Afrofuture: Hula, Hip-Hop, and the Dunham Legacy (2024). This free event will take place in-person and online; register here.

The Metropolitan Opera is honoring Black History Month with a digital exhibition that chronicles the history of Black artists at the Met. Enjoy free streams online including Terence Blanchard’s Champion, Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, and Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle.

Jazz at Lincoln Center hosts jazz performances throughout the year – celebrating a music genre that emerged from the Black experience in America. Get tickets to hear Harlem native Godwin Louis’ Exploration on Hymns on February 9 at 7:00pm, celebrate Fat Tuesday and the legacy of Mardi Gras with Alphonso Horne and The Gotham Kings on February 13 at 7:00pm, and honor the spirit of John Coltrane on February 22 at 7:00pm with The Azar Lawrence Experience. For more Black History Month events at Lincoln Center or to watch on-demand content, visit the Spotlight On: Black History Month webpage.

John Jay College will hold its 30th Lloyd George Sealy Lecture on February 8 at 6:00pm, featuring the Honorable Edwina G. Richardson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives. The lecture is titled Advancing Access to Justice to Support Public Safety, Equity, and Community Engagement. You can learn more about this Black History Month event or RSVP by emailing externalaffairs@jjay.cuny.edu.

At The Juilliard School, Claiming Your Space: A Celebration of Black Music at Juilliard will commemorate the 90th anniversary of a 1934 concert curated by H.T. Burleigh that featured Black Juilliard singers and instrumentalists and celebrated the work of Black artists and composers. While there is no fee, tickets are required for the event on February 27 at 7:30pm, which will take place in Paul Hall (155 W 65th Street). 

The American Folk Art Museum (2 Lincoln Square between W 65th and W 66th Street) has two exhibitions, running through March 24, 2024, that are a perfect way to honor Black History Month. Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North focuses on Black representation within early American art, while Marvels of My Own Inventiveness is made up of paintings by five contemporary Black artists. The former has been celebrated by critics and featured on PBS’s NYC-ARTS. It also serves as the inspiration for the museum’s online 2024 Elizabeth and Irwin Warren Folk Art Symposium on February 23 and March 8. For a closer look at both exhibitions, attend a tour (dates are available on the website) or check out an online lecture by BlackMass on February 14 at 1:00pm about portraits of and by African Americans. The exhibitions and programs are free to attend, but registration is required. 

New York Society for Ethical Culture (2 W 64th Street) will celebrate Black History Month during its Sunday Platform—Fat Sunday with the Rick Bogart Trio. In addition to the trio’s traditional Mardi Gras music, Dr. Nori Rost will discuss “the African American tradition that has developed during Mardi Gras/Carnival due to the racial exclusion of African Americans in the big parades of Mardi Gras.” Attend the free event in person or watch online on February 11 at 11:00am. 

A little further north, the New-York Historical Society’s (170 Central Park West at 77th Street) exhibition Running for Civil Rights: The New York Pioneer Club, 1936 – 1976 runs through February 25. It explores the leadership and legacy of two African Americans, runner Ted Corbitt (1919–2007) and civil rights activist Joseph Yancey (1910–1991). This month, the Society’s two story time series, Little New-Yorkers (on weekdays) and Sunday Story Time, will both tell the stories of amazing Black athletes and heroes throughout history. Children must be accompanied by adults. Check out the calendar for a complete schedule of Black History Month events. 

Teens shouldn’t feel left out. On February 28 at 4pm, the New York Public Library's Riverside branch is hosting a Virtual Teen Comics Chat on Black History Month and Comic Anthologies for those ages 13 to 18. Teens who attend and visit any of the three libraries afterward can even get a free comic book to keep.

If you're looking for a way to honor Black History Month in nature, visit the NYC Parks website. There are a number of history tours, art exhibits, and celebrations honoring Black culture, history, and legacy at parks throughout the city. You can also find a list of monuments and sculptures of Black historical figures in NYC parks, as well as a list of African American namesake parks.

With Black contributions top of mind, it's also the perfect time to support Black-owned businesses and creators. Nordstrom (225 57th Street between Broadway and 7th Ave) is currently spotlighting some of their favorite Black-owned or founded brands. At Target (1863 Broadway at the corner of W 61st St), you can find a wide range of clothing, home goods, accessories, and more, designed by Black artists and designers. The neighborhood's, and perhaps the city's, hottest restaurarant is also Black-owned. If you haven't visited yet, keep checking for reservations at Tatiana by Kwame Onwauachi.

While honoring and celebrating Black History shouldn’t be relegated to just one month of the year, February’s dedication to African American history and achievements is extremely important. We are lucky to have so many opportunities to learn and celebrate in and around Lincoln Square.

Photo: Alonzo King LINES Ballet courtesy of Lincoln Center Presents