Local Black History Month Events

The following events are free unless stated otherwise. Find more events as part of the Black Heritage Festival here.

21st Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival
Feb. 6-21, 2010. The festival theme – Our Journey from a Glorious Past”

Feb. 4-6, 7 p.m.
SSU
Kennedy Fine Arts Building
"Plenty Good Room," a play written by Ja Jahannes, Ph.D., and performed by SSU students, will be presented as part of AIDS awareness. The free production for mature audiences is sponsored by the "Get in the Know" HIV/AIDS/Substance Abuse and Hepatitis Project at Savannah State.

Feb. 6, 12:30 p.m.
First African Baptist Church, 23 Montgomery Street
The 21st Annual SBHF will kick off with the Silent March to the African American and Haitian Memorial monuments. Presented in association with the Savannah Waterfront Association and First African Baptist Church.

Feb. 7, 11 a.m.
First Bryan Baptist Church, 575 W. Bryan St.
Lillian Grant-Baptiste, local storyteller, will present "We've Come This Far by Faith: Our Collective History" during the regular worship service as part of the 21st Annual SBHF.

Feb. 7, 3 p.m.
Kennedy Fine Arts Building
"Plenty Good Room," a play written by Ja Jahannes, Ph.D., and performed by SSU students, will be presented as part of AIDS awareness. The free production for mature audiences is sponsored by the "Get in the Know" HIV/AIDS/Substance Abuse and Hepatitis Project at Savannah State.

Feb. 7, 3:30 p.m.
Beach Institute African American Cultural Center, 502 East Harris St.
The Beach Institute Salutes the Savannah Black Heritage Festival during an opening reception for visual art exhibits by Malaika Favorite and Ligel Lambert, a local artist who will also unveil the festival's first commemorative poster.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, call (912) 234-8000
www.kingtisdell.org

Our Journey from a Glorious Past
21st Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival

All events are free and open to the public.
Call the information line at 912.691.6847 or 912.351.6320.

Festival Opening Event

Saturday, February 4
6:30-7:30 p.m. Gayle Perry-Mason, senior director of Investments, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., will present "Socially Responsible Investing and Building Wealth." Sponsored by Wells Fargo and presented in part by Step-Up Savannah's "Bank-On Savannah" Project. Attendees will have the opportunity to win donated prizes. The Four Points by Sheraton Historic Savannah, 520 West Bryan St.

Saturday, February 4-6
8 p.m. Plenty Good Room, a play written by Ja Jahannes and performed by SSU students. Sponsored by the "Get in the know HIV/AIDs/Substance Abuse and Hepatitis Awareness Project" as part of Black AIDS Day. For information, call (912) 351-6542. SSU/Kennedy Auditorium River Street

Saturday, February 5, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHCJ-FM 90.3, the voice of SSU, kicks off the 21st National African-American Read-In in conjunction with the SSU Department of Liberal Arts; Jack and Jill of America, Savannah Chapter; and the Chatham Retired Educators Association. Radio broadcast 8 am - 5 pm; readings in schools and community centers arranged by sponsors throughout the month of February.

Saturday, February 6, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Festival Opening Event
Silent March to the African American Monument
In association with the Savannah Waterfront Association and First African Baptist Church, marchers will convene at the church for a "Call to Remembrance," a community call and response conducted by Storyteller Lillian Grant-Baptiste. March will proceed to the African-American Monument on River Street (Bull Street ramp behind City Hall) for a brief memorial, then return to the Haitian Memorial Monument on Franklin Square for a commemoration and closing. First African Baptist Church, 23 Montgomery St.

Sunday, February 5-7
Third Annual Savannah Book Festival. For schedule info, visit www.savannahbookfestival.org.

Sunday, February 7, 11 a.m.
Storyteller Lillian Grant-Baptiste presents "We've Come This Far by Faith - Our Collective History" in conjunction with worship services at First Bryan Baptist Church, 575 W. Bryan St.

3:30 p.m.
The Beach Institute Salutes the Savannah Black Heritage Festival Opening Reception and Visual Arts Exhibition featuring Malaika Favorite and local artist Ligel Lambert, who will unveil the festival's first commemorative poster, sales of which will benefit the Savannah Black Heritage Festival. The Beach Institute African American Cultural Center, 502 East Harris St.

Monday, February 8, 6-8 p.m.
Africanology Realities in the American Worlds, an exhibition of large-scaled, multi-media paintings and installations by Amiri Geuka Farris. Includes a reception and talk by the artist, Feb. 12, 6-8 p.m. The exhibit continues through March 8. SSU/Social Sciences Building

Tuesday, February 9, 4 p.m.
The Griot and the Clown. Story Time with Kwabena Bernard Jones will include performances on the Kora, an old African instrument, stories that are popular with children on the African continent, and face-painting and balloon sculptures by the Clown, Ranowul Jzar. The St. Pius Family Resource Center, 705 East Anderson St.

Wednesday, February 10, 11 a.m.
9th Annual School Day Extravaganza Featuring a performance by the Lula Washington Dance Theatre* for grades 4-8 For reservations and information: 912-354-2657 (M. Johnson), 912-356-2239 (M. Goldwire) or 912-201-5530 (F. Porzio) Savannah Civic Center

6 p.m.
Opening Reception for the 9th Annual New Beginnings Art Exhibit sponsored by the Savannah Chapter of The Links, Inc. Gallery S.P.A.C.E., 9 West Henry St.

7:30 p.m.
Lecture by Ashley Bryan, prize-winning children's book author, illustrator and puppet maker. Exhibition of his book illustrations and puppets will be featured at the SCAD Museum of Art through March 30. Trustees Theatre, 216 E. Broughton St.

Thursday, February 11
11 a.m.
9th Annual School Day Extravaganza Featuring a performance by the Lula Washington Dance Theatre* for grades 4-8 For reservations and information: 912-354-2657 (M. Johnson), 912-356-2239 (M. Goldwire) or 912-201-5530 (F. Porzio) Savannah Civic Center

Friday, February 12, 8 p.m.
Johnny Mercer Theater, Savannah Civic Center (Seating is limited and requires a free reserved-seat ticket. For information on Ticket distribution, visit www.savannahblackheritagefestival.com) *The Lula Washington Dance Theatre is funded by New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project (NDP), with generous support by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the MetLife Community Connections Fund of the MetLife Foundation, and also by Target.

Sunday, February 13
"Dem Fish, Dey's Biting" - A Second Annual Festival "Gathering" Presented in part by the SSU-NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) Preserve America Grant. Featuring storytelling, demonstrations and recipe tastings by families and descendants of African Americans in the maritime industry. Turner-Hodge-Young Community Center, Shipyard Road (Old Montgomery)

Sunday, February 13-14, 7 p.m.
Visions: An Odyssey in Black Dance, presented by Abeni Cultural Arts Johnson High School Auditorium, 3012 Sunset Blvd.

Sunday, February 14, 5 p.m.
Annual Gospel Concert featuring recording artist James Bignon and the Deliverence Mass Choir, Huxsie Scott, Zion, and the SSU Wesleyan Gospel and St. John Baptist Choirs. Presented in part by LifeLink of Georgia St. John Baptist Church, 522-28 Hartridge St. 5:00 p.m.

Monday, February 15, 7 p.m.
4th Annual "Future of Jazz Concert" featuring the Spelman College Women's Jazz Ensemble, directed by Joseph Jennings, and other youth jazz artists under the direction of Teddy Adams. A special tribute to the late Steve Andrews, who owned Live Oak Productions, will take place prior to the concert. Presented in part by The Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA), 5111 Abercorn St.

Tuesday, February 16, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
African Drumming Class conducted by Kwabena Bernard Jones using authentic African drums. 4 p.m.: youth class conducted for the 21st Century After-School Program 7 p.m.: public class for adults and youth; reservations required: call 843-305-9080

Wednesday, February 17, 8:00 p.m.
The Players by the Sea present "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf" by Ntozake Shangea dramatic production. February 17 is the production solely for the Savannah Black Heritage Festival with free admission. Regular production dates are February 18-23 with a general admission fee for the public. Kennedy Fine Arts Building, Savannah State University

Thursday, February 18, 6:30 p.m.
Annual W. W. Law Lecture - Earl Ijames, Curator of African American and Community History, the North Carolina Museum of History, with address the topic, "In Search of the Colored Confederate Soldiers." Museum of Art. Jepson Center for the Arts 207 W. York St.

Saturday, February 20, 6:30 p.m.
GRAND FESTIVAL DAY
The highlight of the Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival is a family-oriented celebration at theSavannah Civic Center 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Health Fair, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, Aetna, Lilly and St. Joseph's/Candler African American Health Information and Resource Center. Free health screenings, exercise sessions, health-profession speakers, healthy food cooking demonstrations & tastings, workshops on medical financial aid and diabetes prevention & management.

1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. - The Living and Learning Crafts Village: Drum making, jewelry making, print making, basket making, vision painting, culinary arts for youth. Reservations required; call: 912-356-2506

3 p.m. - Grand Festival Day Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Activities open in the MLK Jr. Arena with Magic Marc, Savannah Children's Choir and RJ and the UPBEATS

5 p.m. - Youth Talent Extravaganza sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Savannah Alumnae Chapter

6:30 p.m. - A concert featuring Savannah's Stephanie Edwards and two national headliners, K'Jon and the S.O.S. Band, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Sunday, February 21, 5:30 p.m.
SWEET HONEY in the ROCK
Sweet Honey in the Rock® Concert*. The internationally renowned female a cappella ensemble sings slave songs, shouts, gospel, and spirituals indigenous of African and African American culture. Free ticket for open-admission seating is required** First African Baptist Church, 23 Montgomery St.

Saturday, February 27, noon
Leadership for a New Economy and a New Decade
Carver State Bank presents "Leadership for a New Economy and a New Decade" in celebration of the bank's 83rd anniversary. For information, call 912-447-4203 Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W. York St.

Other Related Events

February 6, 13, 20, 27, 11 a.m.
"The Footprints of Savannah Walking Tour" will take participants along the forgotten paths of Savannah where the institution of slavery made its mark in the 1850s leading up to the Civil War. Discounted tickets available during the Savannah Black Heritage Festival. For information and reservations call 912-695-3872.

Saturday, February 20, 8:30 a.m.
"Southeast Family History Expo" presented by the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Armstrong Center, 11935 Abercorn St.

Thursday, February 25, 6-8 p.m.
"Why and How to Collect African-American Fine Art" - Friends of African American Art present a panel of fine art collectors who will discuss and show examples of their collections by legendary African-American artists. Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W. York St.

"The Griot and the Clown" featuring African storytelling and music by Kwabena Bernard Jones and face-painting and balloon sculptures by clown Ranowul Jzar. This activity is apart of the 21st Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival and will take place on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:00pm in the gymnasium of the St. Pius X Family Resource Center.
Please share with parents and youth, and bring your youth groups to attend!
Call (912) 351-6320 for more information.


NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY
Is FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Mark your calendars and set the date! February 7, 2010 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative designed to encourage Blacks across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated around HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities.

FREE CONFIDENTIAL HIV TESTING
J C Lewis Primary Health Care Center, Inc.
125 Fahm Street
(Downtown Savannah -Near Greyhound Bus Station)
Monday, February 8, 2010 - Wednesday, February 10, 2010
7am - 7pm
For more information about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day call Union Mission, Inc. (912) 495-8887 or visit www.blackaidsday.org .

Feb. 20
"African Music in Georgia Extravaganza" featuring Blues, Gospel, Drumming, Presentations, Crafts and more! Geechee Kunda/622 Ways Temple Road, Riceboro, GA (912) 884-4440 or (912) 257-0078.

Abeni Cultural Arts presents, "Visions: An Odyssey in Black Dance"/ Feb. 13 & 14/ 7 pm/ Johnson High School

Greater Friendship Baptist Church presents, "Healthy Heart Program", Sunday, Feb. 20/ 5 pm.
Health care professionals will be on hand to discuss important matters of the heart and what you can do to maintain good heart health.
115 West Bolton Street
(912) 236-7420