Family-Friendly Black History Month Celebrations

February is Black History Month, and New York has long been a center of African-American arts and culture in the US–and fittingly hosts a wide variety of Black History Month celebrations. Check out some of our top picks for fun and educational family-friendly events!

Ongoing

Tour the Louis Armstrong House
Ongoing
Tuesday – Friday: 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Stop by the Louis Armstrong House in Queens and tour the celebrated jazz trumpeter’s home. Meander through this vibrant home, and listen to recordings of Armstrong’s work. Tours are held every hour. Adults $10, seniors, students, and children: $7, group rate: $6, children under 4: Free, members: free; 37th Avenue, Queens. louisarmstronghouse.org

george washington carver.jpg
The Queens Botanical Garden will host a George Washington Carver workshop on 2/16.

The African Drum” with the Shadow Box Theatre Company
Weekdays  through March 10
Experience the humor, wisdom, and wit of “The African Drum.” Enjoy these lively African folk tales, as they are woven into shadow puppet storytelling. $10 in advance, 15 at the door; location varies. For more information/reservations call: (212)724-0677. shadowboxtheatre.org

Jazz for Kids at the Jazz Standard
Sundays at 2 pm
Enjoy a barbecue brunch from Blue Smoke as you listen to classic jazz tunes! On Sunday afternoons, The Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra, with musicians from age 11-18, hosts a musical brunch at the Jazz Standard. Listen to these talented young musicians play hits from the jazz greats including Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and George Gershwin. Suggested donation: $5, food and drink not included; 116 East 27th Street. jazzstandard.com

America: The Legacy of African American Service at the Central Park Arsenal
Through February 26
9am- 5pm
This family-friendly exhibition features works depicting African-Americans in public service throughout history. Free, 64th and 5th Avenue inside Central Park, 3rd floor of the Arsenal Building. nycgovparks.org

Saturday, February 6

Target First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum
5pm
Head to the Brooklyn Museum and enjoy interactive activities, a book talk with Revolution Books, a screening of The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, and musical performances for this Radical Black History-themed Target First Saturday. Free, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY.  brooklynmuseum.org

Black History Month Family Activity Day at the Morris-Jumel Mansion in Roger Morris Park
11am-2 pm
Storytelling historian Cheyney McKnight, of Not Your Momma’s History, will bring this Colonial Kitchen to life as she leads an interactive lesson on African influences in colonial cuisine. Come hungry! There will be plenty to taste along the way. Adults $10, Children under 12: free; 65 Jurnel Terrace, Manhattan. nycgovparks.org

Saturday, February 6-Sunday, February 7

Open House Weekend at at The Apollo Theater
2-5pm
The Apollo Theater is hosting a free weekend of events in celebration of Black History Month. This year’s Open House weekend will explore the role of the arts in activism through musical performances by rising stars such as Chris Rob and Lynette Williams, and a screening of “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” followed by a panel discussion. Free, RSVP required; 253 W 125th Street. apollotheater.org

Makers Making History: Black History Month at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Workshops start at 11am, performances start at 2pm
Head to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan to celebrate the African American community’s contribution to the arts with painting workshops inspired by Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series, and performances by Wéma Harris of Bridges: A Pan-Afrikan Arts Movement. Free with museum admission, sign-up required; 212 West 83rd Street. cmom.org

Tuesday, February 16

George Washington Carver Workshop at the Queens Botanical Garden
1-2:30 pm
Learn how plants played an integral role in George Washington Carver’s early life and career. Kids will create a “healing lotion” out of botanical ingredients to take home with them. Children must be accompanied by an adult; ages 5-12, $6 per child, registration required; 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, NY. queensbotanical.org

Saturday, February 20

Dance of the African Diaspora at the Brooklyn Public Library
1-2pm
Head to the Brooklyn Public Library for an interactive dance tour! Starting in West Africa, this dance tour will lead guests through the Caribbean, Latin America, and will conclude  in the United States. Free, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY. bklynlibrary.org

Saturday, February 27

It Starts With Just A Seed at Brooklyn Library
1-2 pm
Join author and illustrator Bryan Collier for a reading of some of his recent works including Rosa, Trombone Shorty, Dave the Potter, and Knock Knock. Collier will also read from his first published piece, Uptown, which is about growing up in Harlem. Free, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY. bklynlibrary.org

8th Annual Black History Month Celebration at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
4pm
Head to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for the 8th Annual Harlem Chamber Players Black History Month Celebration. This performance features soprano Janinah Burnett and pianist James Davis, Jr. as well as the Harlem Chamber Players. Enjoy music by Chevalier de St. George and Nkeiru Okoye. $15 General Admission, $10 student/senior discount in advance, $20 general admission, $15 student/senior discount at the door; 521 West 126th Street. harlemchamberplayers.org

Relevant Directory Listings

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Collina Italiana, The Italian Language and Cultural Center

<p>Learn Italian the fun way. Children practice and absorb the language through arts & crafts, activities, games, songs and stories!</p>

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

<p dir="ltr">With more than 35 years of experience, Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens provides young movers ages 3-18 with exceptional training. BDC delivers the finest all-around dance experience for students by offering a wide variety of styles and levels, performance opportunities, and the highest caliber dance instruction that only New York City and BDC Children & Teens can provide.</p> <p dir="ltr">This studio is so much more than a training course for young dancers; it is a diverse, family-friendly community for budding creatives. It has an exemplary faculty who follow the vision to not only develop a dancer’s love and ability in dance, but to do so in a nurturing and supportive way.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-16583089-7fff-d8a9-61c2-8f689f7348b2"></span></p>

Music Together

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Music Together® is for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents/caregiver. The classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes and movement, and instrument play activities that are developmentally appropriate for the children and easy for parents and caregivers, regardless of their own musical ability.</span></p>