*Throughout February
Throughout the month, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan invites families to its African American Arts Festival, which will feature tons of fun activities and workshops for kids of all ages. On February 12th, kids can head to Meet the Artist: Loul Samater, where they can chat with Samater about her paintings and sculptures before making their own masterpieces with glitter, string and found material; on February 13th, musically-inclined kids will love Origins of Jazz, where they can learn about the African American roots of jazz and make their own drums; or, on the 13th, kids can enjoy Where the Blues Were Born in New Orleans, a jazzy performance by Lincoln Center’s WeBop band, where kids can write their own blues songs and dance; and on February 19th, kids will love Harriet Tubman Herself, which will feature a dramatic storytelling by Christine Dixon which well tell the story of how Harriet Tubman brought hundreds of slaves to freedom. Click here for more info for all of these events and more.
*Throughout February
Families can catch Sojourner’s Truth, an original play
presented at area libraries throughout the month. You and your kids will be amazed by her story of
courage as she struggle for freedom. For ages 5 and older.
Sojourner’s Truth Show Times:
Manhattan: Children’s Center at 42nd Street Sat, Feb 26; 2 p.m.
Bronx: Bronx Library Center Sat,
Feb 5; 2 p.m. Eastchester Mon, Feb 7; 3:30 p.m. High Bridge Fri, Feb 25; 3:30
p.m. Melrose Thurs, Feb 17; 4 p.m. Sedgwick Wed, Feb 16; 3:30 p.m.
Soundview Thurs, Feb 3; 4 p.m. Wakefield Thurs, Feb 10; 4 p.m. Woodstock Tues,
Feb 8; 4 p.m.
Staten Island: Great Kills Wed, Feb 23; 2:30 p.m.
Click here for more information.
*Throughout February
Central Park’s Arsenal Gallery invites families to the month-long exhibit “Heritage of Innovation: Celebrating Black History Month,” which will feature over 30 works of art in various forms of media that celebrate notable African American figures, like Lewis Latimer and Alvin Ailey. Admission is free and open to the public. Click here for more info.
*February 12 and 26
On February 12th and 26th, the Louis Armstrong House (in Corona, Queens) will host a special presentation of “Louis Armstrong and Race,” which will explore the legendary musician’s beginnings in a segregated New Orleans to his protest for Civil Rights throughout his extraordinary career. The presentation will feature rare footage and recordings and presentations from a historian. Registration is required. Click here for more info.
*February 14-18
In addition, the Schomburg Center will also host film screenings for young people at 10 a.m. each day from February 14 to 18, and each film will be followed
by a discussion. Films to be screened include the animated film “Harriet Tubman
& Our Friend Martin,” “Kirikou and the Sorceress,” and “Mighty Times: The
Children’s March and the Legacy of Rosa Parks.” Click here for complete show times and details.
*February 19
On February 19, the Morris-Jumel Mansion (Manhattan’s oldest house) in Washington Heights
will hold a Black History Month family discussion group. They will discuss Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the importance of service in our communities. This
is a free event and is appropriate for kids between 3rd and 6th
grade. Click here for more information.
February 22nd
On February 22nd, the Brooklyn Kids Museum invites families to “Have A Heart!,” where kids ages 5 and up can learn all about how the heart keeps them moving, and learn about notable African American doctors and inventors who have improved heart health over the years. Click here for more info.
*February 25
On Friday, February 25th from 6 to 8 p.m., families can celebrate Black History month at the Owen Dolen Golden Age Center in the Bronx, where kids will enjoy story readings, live dance and spoken word performances and more. Click here for more info.
Photo:artist Loul Samater, who will lead a workshop at CMOM on February 12th.
