The life story of Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Week, reads like a chapter in a self-help book.
The son of former slaves, the Virginian did not begin high school until he was 17 because he had to work to help support his family. But with a dream in his mind and determination in his heart, Woodson went on to receive a doctorate from Harvard University, develop an institute for African-American studies and, in the process, found what is now known as African American History Month.
Although the name has changed several times, the goal of African American History Month has not. February remains a time to highlight and celebrate African-American achievement. In Chicago, a city founded by an African-American (Jean Baptiste du Sable), a variety of celebrations are planned. While quantity doesn’t dictate quality, several of the many programs taking place throughout the Chicago area surely would have made Woodson smile.
– The Chicago Cultural Center is taking black history back to the motherland with “Origins: The Africas,” a series of five festivals that salute each region of Africa. Each festival takes place in a simulated marketplace depicting the village life, customs and culture of that region. Each region will also be represented by a film series. The festivals are 12:15-7 p.m. throughout February. Free admission. The Cultural Center is at 78 E. Washington St. 312-744-6569.
– Africa and the African-American experience is also the focus of The African Heritage Festival ’99 at The Field Museum. A variety of musical performances and hands-on activities will help visitors discover how American culture has been influenced by African art, music and culture. Also, Field Museum scientists will discuss current research in the Tsavo region of Kenya and Madagascar. The festival takes place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 6 and 7 and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 8 and 9. Free with general museum admission. The museum is at Roosevelt Road and Lake Shore Drive. 312-922-9410.
– As might be expected, The Museum of Science and Industry takes a scientific look at African-American achievement during its “Black Creativity” celebration. “Winds of Change: Africa, the Americas and the Sea” is the featured art exhibition, which tells the story of Africans and African-Americans as seafarers. In addition to the art show, visitors can take a virtual journey with Bill Pickney, the first African-American to sail solo around the world, and interact with Pickney’s team aboard the ship while tracing the journey of slaves from Africa to America. The celebration continues through March 7. Free with general museum admission. The museum is at 57th Steet and Lake Shore Drive. 773-684-1414.
– African art has become big business in America. Stroll down the furniture aisle of any major department store and inexpensive African art replicas greet you. But, if you want to get a taste of the real thing, the Art Institute of Chicago has just what you’re looking for. “Masterpieces from Central Africa: Selections from the Belgian Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren” is an exhibition of 125 pieces of everything from African ceremonial weapons to royal regalia on loan from the Tervuren Museum near Brussels. Music, dance and lectures accompany the program. The exhibit runs through March 14. The lecture series runs from 1-2 p.m. Feb. 13-March 6. There is an additional charge for the lectures. Other programs are free with museum admission. The institute is at 111 S. Michigan Ave. 312-443-3600.
– The “Navy Pier Salutes African-American Heritage” program with storytelling, exhibits and music will be held in the Family Pavilion, 10 a.m.-noon weekdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends Feb. 20-26. Free admission. 312-595-5043.
– Roger Guenveur Smith, best known for his roles in Spike Lee’s films “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X” and “He Got Game,” debuts his playwrighting ability in Chicago in “A Huey P. Newton Story,” at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Marc Anthony Thompson accompanies Smith with a mix of live music as Smith re-creates the life of Huey P. Newton, the late co-founder of the Black Panther Party of Self Defense. Shows are 8 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20 and 3 p.m. Feb. 21. Free with general museum admission. The museum is at 220 E. Chicago Ave. 312-280-2660.
– Living in the birthplace of urban blues and gospel, Chicagoans love their music. National-Louis University helps underscore African-American musical achievement in “Soul Sisters,” a play by Joanne Koch and Sarah Blacher Cohen. “Soul Sisters” is the story of an African-American singer and a Jewish-American singer who help each other through the potholes of life, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Weinstein Auditorium, 2840 Sheridan Rd., Evanston. Tickets are $5. 847-864-7400.
– If the snow outside has your body aching for a way to unwind, the Muntu Dance Theatre might be the ticket. The Chicago-based dance company will perform authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music and folklore at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, Governors Highway and University Parkway, off Interstate Highway 57 at Sauk Trail, University Park. Tickets are $19.50 adults, $9.50 children 16 and under. 708-235-2222 or 312-902-1500.
– Art and literature have long been cousins, and this month they become a little closer during “Three Generations of Urban Artists,” a display of works by teens from Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. Artists Tim Rollins and Eddie Alvarado are responsible for the exhibit, which was inspired by famous African-Americans Ralph Ellison, Harriet Jacobs and Martin Luther King Jr. Rollins and Alvarado introduced the students to the authors’ works and guided them as they interpreted the works on canvas. The exhibit continues through Feb. 20 at Rhona Hoffman Gallery, 312 N. May St. Free admission. 312-455-1990.
– Children can become overwhelmed by the sheer bulk of information they receive during cultural celebrations. But help is out there for parents who want to teach their children about African culture and maintain their interest:
Adler Planetarium’s “African Astronomy: Of Calenders and Kings” is a program designed for families with children 8 and older that teaches children how the world was created. Information is given about how time was told before print calendars were made and how the ancient Africans praised their leaders in terms of celestial bodies. The program includes storytelling, a multimedia presentation and the blowing of the mphalaphala horn, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 20. The planetarium is at 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. $15 per person or $10 per member. 312-322-0304.
The Chicago Historical Society presents a student performance series featuring historical interpretation through music, storytelling and dance at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Feb. 9-11. The museum is at Clark Street and North Avenue. Free with general museum admission. 312-642-4600.
The Chicago Park District offers two programs that should appeal to kids. Youths can learn how to make the Nigerian percussion instrument called the shekere, 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 6, $20 admission; or they can learn about Percy L. Julian and George Washington Carver’s achievements in plant research, 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 20, at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. 773-638-1766.
The Children’s Department of Woodson Regional Library offers a series of programs for children throughout February. On each Saturday of the month, a griot will share African and African-American stories with children through 2nd grade. There will also be film programs and storytelling programs for children of various ages throughout February. Reservations are required. Programs are free. The library is at 9525 S. Halsted St. 312-747-6915.
