Check out these 12 fun events celebrating Black History Month in Brooklyn this February, including family shows and kids' workshops in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Canarsie, Crown Heights, Park Slope, and Prospect Heights.
Brooklyn’s greatness has everything to do with its diversity. The same can be said about America and, I guess, the whole planet. But when it comes to African-American life and culture, there’s a different cause for celebration and reflection. Black History Month is about celebrating African-American contributions to our culture while reflecting on this group’s historic struggle for equal footing and acceptance in the mainstream. Here, some local events to help you do both:
Brooklyn Public Library, central branch, Prospect Heights
Feb. 2
This NYC-based group revels in step dancing, examining the style’s early roots in South African mines up to its present style, which includes high-impact choreography and exciting call-and-response interludes that make the audience active participants. FREE!
PS 3, The Bedford Village School, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Feb. 2
A mainstay production of the Shadow Box Theater, this show uses shadow puppetry to convey African folktales with accompaniment from drums and a guitar.
Words Are Freedom
Brooklyn Public Library, central branch, Prospect Heights
Sundays in February
Throughout February, the Brooklyn Public Library offers a series called Words Are Freedom, which will explore the writings of former slaves. FREE!
Feb. 3: Nat Turner
Feb. 10: Frederick Douglass
Feb. 17: Nightjohn
Feb. 24: Harriet Jacobs
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Crown Heights
Feb. 3
Parachute Physics examines the contributions of African-American paratroopers during the Second World War.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Crown Heights
Feb. 9
The company performs an all-ages program of music, dancing, and folktales that celebrates African culture as it exists worldwide.
Brooklyn Conservatory Concert Hall, Park Slope
Feb. 16
Fuller is one of modern jazz's most important trombonists, and his work as a leader and sideman (playing and recording with Coltrane and Blakey) have earned him the right to be considered a true giant of jazz.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Crown Heights
Feb. 20
The tale will be read aloud, and the story will be followed by an arts and crafts session.
Brooklyn Public Library, Canarsie branch
Feb. 21
Teens bring their favorite work by a great African-American poet or novelist, or a speech by an inspiring African-American figure, to read out loud and discuss with the group. Original works are also welcome. FREE!
Brooklyn Children’s Musuem, Crown Heights
Feb. 23
Kids ages 4 and older enjoy a game of trivia relating to African-American history and Black History Month. FREE!
More Fun
For more fun and low-cost family activities in Brooklyn and the NYC area, search our full calendar of events
The Curtis Fuller Quintet
