Black History Month calendar of events
A multimedia program at the Baldwin Public Library on Feb. 25 will focus on the life and career of Sammy Davis Jr., pictured in 1960. Credit: AP / Bob Dear
ONGOING
BRIGHTWATERS
ART GALLERY DISPLAY
In honor of Black History Month, a library exhibit incorporates books, photos and artwork from the collection of resident and library board trustee Frances Bell. It is viewable during regular library hours through Feb. 28 at Bay Shore-Brightwaters Library, 1 South Country Rd.; free; 631-665-4350, bsbwlibrary.org
DIX HILLS
DISPLAY
Artwork by Romare Bearden is on exhibit through Aug. 17. Credit: Romare Bearden Foundation/Licens
The Mothers Club of Wheatley Heights presents a display of books and pictures of famous African-Americans and events celebrating black history. These are viewable during regular library hours through Feb. 28 at Half Hollow Hills Community Library Dix Hills branch, 55 Vanderbilt Pkwy.; free; 631-421-4530, hhhlibrary.org
GARDEN CITY
EXHIBIT: ‘A CELEBRATION OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’
Darren St. George, left, Jordan Gee and Carolyn Brown in "Running Scared, Running Free: Escape to the Promised Land," being performed through Feb. 28. Credit: Daniel Brennan
This exhibit features African-American artists’ works, presented by the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce. Exhibit is viewable during regular store hours through Feb. 28 at Bloomingdale’s furniture gallery in Roosevelt Field Mall on the main floor, 630 Old Country Rd.; free; 347-475-7158, liaacc.org
GARDEN CITY
EXHIBIT: AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART EXHIBIT
“Kreyon Bondye Pa Gen Gonm” (God’s Pencil Has No Eraser), paintings and drawings by Haitian-Canadian artist Rafaëlle Roy. A free reception and gallery talk is 3-5 p.m. Sunday. Exhibit on display in the Center Gallery through Feb. 28 at Ruth S. Harley University Center, Adelphi University, 1 South Ave.; free; 516-877-4978, nwsdy.li/kreyon
HEMPSTEAD
EXHIBIT: ‘ROMARE BEARDEN: STORYTELLER’
This exhibit features prints (aqua tints, engravings, etchings, lithographs, silk-screens) portraying everyday African-American life in 20th-century America. Viewable noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The exhibit, which is free, will be available through Aug. 17 at the Hofstra University Museum: Emily Lowe Gallery, Hempstead Turnpike, Hempstead; 516-463-5672, hofstra.edu/museum
PATCHOGUE
EXHIBIT: ‘VARIETIES OF EXPERIENCE’
Works by African-American artists Faith Ringgold, Howardena Pindell, Emma Amos, Robert Carter, Emmett Wigglesworth, Ramona Candy, David Byre-Tyre and others. It will be on view 2-7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 25 at Patchogue Arts Gallery, 20 Terry St.; free; 631-627-8686, patchoguearts.org
STATE PARKS
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation hosts a cultural art display featuring paintings from black artists, posters, newspaper clippings and prints through Feb. 28. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays in the Long Island Parks regional headquarters lobby in Babylon. An exhibit is also available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at Jones Beach State Park, Field 4, Central Mall, Wantagh. The Nissequogue River State Park administration building in Kings Park has an exhibit available 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park visitor center in Oyster Bay has an exhibit viewable 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. All exhibits are free. Find more information about any of the exhibits by calling 631-321-3510 or at nysparks.com
STONY BROOK
‘RUNNING SCARED, RUNNING FREE: ESCAPE TO THE PROMISED LAND’
An interactive theatrical performance, based on oral history, involving the Civil War, slavery, the Underground Railroad, secret codes hidden in quilts and the struggle for freedom. This St. George Production plays on selected dates through Feb. 28 at the Ward Melville Educational & Cultural Center, Stony Brook Village Center; tickets are $12; for specifics and public availability, call 631-751-2244 or check wmho.org
FEB. 25
BRENTWOODHISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC
Join Jerome “City” Smith and the City Sounds Music Ensemble in celebrating Black History Month with tributes to various artists and Motown and gospel greats, 2-3:30 p.m., Brentwood Library, 34 Second Ave.; free, register; 631-273-7883;
FREEPORTLECTURE: ‘OPERA IN EBONY’
Tribute to legendary African-American singers who performed at prestigious venues such as the Metropolitan Opera House, La Scala and the Royal Opera House, 2:30 p.m., Freeport Library, 144 W. Merrick Rd.; free, register; 516-379-3274; freeportlibrary.info
LONG BEACHCONCERT: THE SUGAR AND SPICE SOUL BAND
Listen to music from Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, The Temptations and more, 2 p.m., Long Beach Library, 111 W. Park Ave.; free; 516-432-7201; longbeachlibrary.org
PATCHOGUECONCERT: STEEL IMPRESSIONS BAND
Celebrate Black History Month with a performance by this family steel band, featuring the sounds of calypso, reggae and contemporary music on state-of-the-art steel pans, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Patchogue-Medford Library, 54-60 E. Main St.; free; 631-654-4700; pmlib.org
PORT JEFFERSONBLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION: FROM JAZZ TO SOUL
The Rhonda Denét Trio performs songs from the 1930s through the ’70s, celebrating classics from the jazz of Duke Ellington to Sam Cooke, “The King of Soul,” 2-3 p.m., Port Jefferson Library, 100 Thompson St., free; 631-473-0022; portjefflibrary.org
SAG HARBOR
‘LIFT EVERY VOICE’: A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC, CULTURE AND TRADITION
A panel of speakers representing musical history and tradition from diverse communities, including African-American and American Indian cultures, reflect on social implications, politics, diplomacy, civil society and a vast range of views that reflect the diversity that music encompasses. There will be presentations, including musical performances, followed by a Q&A; meet-and-greet reception in the lobby follows with a cash bar and light refreshments, 2-4 p.m., Bay Street Theater and Sag Harbor Center for the Arts, Main and Bay streets; $15 advance, $20 at the door; 631-749-0626; sylvestermanor.org/black-history-month-2018
SOUTHAMPTON
A PERFORMANCE IN WORDS AND MUSIC OF MILESTONE NEGRO SPIRITUALS
Join Hilliard Greene, a composer and performer of solo contrabass music, for an illustrated performance of Negro spirituals, many of which were coded in order to allow runaway slaves to elude capture; reception to follow, 3 p.m., Rogers Memorial Library, 91 Coopers Farm Rd.; free, register, includes reception; 631-283-0774; myrml.org
FEB. 27
AMITYVILLETHE TOWN OF BABYLON’S ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
“African-Americans in Times of War,” featuring local guest speakers, performances and vendors, presented by Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer and the town Department of Human Services, 6 p.m., Amityville Memorial High School, 250 Merrick Rd.; free; 631-464-4340;
BALDWINSAMMY DAVIS JR.: LIFE AND CAREER
Multimedia program features videos of Sammy Davis Jr. reflecting on his life and career, 2-3:30 p.m., Baldwin Library, 2385 Grand Ave.; free, register; 516-223-6228, baldwinpl.org
GARDEN CITYSPEAKER/COMEDIAN AMANDA SEALES
Celebrate Black History Month with Amanda Seales, formerly known by her stage name Amanda Diva, an American comedian, actress, DJ, recording artist and radio personality. Aside from her solo career, she was also a touring member of the musical group Floetry, 11:30 a.m., the multipurpose room in the College Center Building, Nassau Community College, 1 Education Dr.; free; 516-572-7376; ncc.edu
NORTH BABYLONLECTURE: ‘CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY: WE HAVE COME THIS FAR BY OUR OWN HANDS’
Presented by Marsha J. Tyson Darling, professor of history and director of the Center for African, Black & Caribbean Studies at Adelphi University, 7-8:30 p.m., North Babylon Public Library, 815 Deer Park Ave.; free, register; 631-669-4020;
FEB. 28
BRENTWOOD‘AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN TIMES OF WAR’
Celebrate hundreds of years of African-American culture, history and achievement. Members of the Brentwood and Central Islip communities who have contributed to our society will be honored. Food and light refreshments will be served; presented by Suffolk Legis. Monica R. Martinez, 6-8:30 p.m., Brentwood Library, 34 Second Ave.; free; 631-853-3700;
GARDEN CITYLECTURE: ‘STOLEN JUSTICE: THE SUPREME COURT AND THE COMING OF JIM CROW’
A discussion of how the U.S. Supreme Court, in a series of cases from the 1870s to 1903, rewrote the 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution, allowing Southern states to usher in the era of Jim Crow, 7 p.m., in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom, Ruth S. Harley University Center, Adelphi University, 1 South Ave.; free; 516-877-4978;
PATCHOGUE‘JOURNEY THROUGH AMERICAN HISTORY’
Join Carol A. Gordon from Unspoken History Treasures (a private collection of more than 40 years of African-American artifacts). She will present African-American history using actual museum-quality artifacts, 7 p.m., Patchogue-Medford Library, 54-60 E. Main St.; free, register; 631-654-4700; pmlib.org
UNIONDALEBLACK HISTORY FILM: ‘GOOD HAIR’
Documentary, comedy (2009, rated PG-13, 1:36). Comedian Chris Rock examines the role of hair in the African-American community and its effect on cultural identity. Features interviews with Maya Angelou, Nia Long, Ice-T, Raven Symone and others, 2 p.m., free, register, Uniondale Library, 400 Uniondale Ave.; 516-489-2220; uniondalelibrary.org
— Compiled by Gina Tabarus
