Black History Celebration 2013 FROM BACH TO THE BLUES: A Musical Journey through Newark

King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, 1921.

Curated by Sandra L. West

Exhibition on view January 30 – March 9, 2013
2nd Floor Gallery

PNC Foundation is proud to support The Newark Public Library’s Black History Month Celebration.

All programs are free and open to the public. All programs are at the Main Library, 5 Washington Street, unless otherwise specified. To RSVP for any program or for more information please call 973–733–5411. To check whether the Library is open in the case of inclement weather, call
973–733–7800.

Opening Reception
Wednesday, January 30
Main Library, Centennial Hall, Second Floor
6:00 – 8:00 pm

Richard Alston.

Speakers: Jah Jah Shakur of Africana Institute at Essex County College on the Hip–Hop Movement in Newark, and Sandra L. West on the modern civil rights movement in Newark and the impact of classical African American musicians on Newark. Performances include: soprano Laurel Pryor; Return to the Source, a cappella renderings of songs of the civil rights movement; Ashley Charles, Central High School senior and rap artist; Richard Alston, performing Classically Black: Piano Compositions by Composers of African Descent; Team on the Move, Double Dutch group. Art work by Zachary Ouma will also be on view.

On January 30, parking will be available in the Rutgers Lot (#506) on Essex Street behind the Library at a discounted rate of $4.50.

2013 Black History Celebration Programs

Film Fest: Lady Sings the Blues Saturday, February 2 Auditorium 10:00am – 12:00pm The life and legacy of jazz singer Billie Holiday, starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams.
Author Event: Fearless: A Bold Approach to Reinventing Your Life Saturday, February 2 Auditorium 1:00 – 3:00pm Book presentation with co–author Caryl Lucas. Book signing to follow.	Caryl Lucas
Annual African–American Read–In Wednesday, February 6 Weequahic Branch 355 Osborne Terrace 973–733–7751 5:30 – 7:30pm Library staff and community members gather to read works of prominent African–American authors. The poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks will be featured.
Film Fest: The Temptations Thursday, February 7 Auditorium 12:00 – 2:00pm The story of the Motown group with amazing harmony and skillful choreography.
Film Fest: Mo’ Better Blues   CANCELED Saturday, February 9 Auditorium 12:00 – 2:00pm Starring Denzel Washington and produced, written and directed by Spike Lee.
Jazz Concert Wednesday, February 13 Centennial Hall 6:00 – 8:00pm The Rudy Walker Quartet will feature Newark native actor Jamil Mangan reciting poetry by late Arts High School teacher Halim Suliman. The Camille Thurman Quartet will also perform. On February 13, parking will be available in the Rutgers Lot (#506) on Essex Street behind the Library at a discounted rate of $4.50.	The Rudy Walker Quartet    Jamil Mangan
From the Archives: Entrusted To Our Keeping: The Legacy of African-American Literary Societies Thursday, February 14 Board Room Limited Seating. RSVP: 973–733–5411 12:00 – 2:00pm Reviewing the Library’s 2008 Black History Month program.
Film Fest: Three Mo’ Tenors   CANCELED Saturday, February 16 Auditorium 12:00 – 2:00pm Thomas Young, Roderick Dixon, and Victor Trent Cook sing in a concert spanning opera, pop, blues, Broadway, and spirituals, originally recorded for a Great Performances telecast.
Sankofa Stories Tuesday, February 19 Weequahic Branch 355 Osborne Terrace 973– 733– 7751 10:30 – 11:30am Master storyteller Shirley Johnson will tell Sankofa Stories for preschoolers featuring tales from the African Diaspora. Johnson recently headlined the NJ Storytelling Festival and Harlem Book Fair–Newark.
W.E.B. Du Bois Reading Circle Wednesday, February 20 Board Room Limited Seating. 6:00 – 8:00pm Celebrating its third anniversary with a discussion of Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable.
From the Archives: Dear & Glorious Physician: The History of Black Doctors, Nurses & Hospitals in Newark & Places Just Beyond the River Thursday, February 21 Board Room Limited Seating. RSVP 973‐733–5411 12:00 – 2:00pm Reviewing the Library’s 2009 Black History Month program.
Film Fest: Dreamgirls Friday, February 22 Auditorium 12:00 – 2:00pm Based on the Broadway musical, the story of a trio of black female soul singers in the early 1960s. Starring Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Hudson.
Community Discussion: What are the Black issues of 2013? Wednesday, February 27 James Brown African American Room 5:00 – 8:00pm Community discussion led by Diane Colson, Treasurer, New Jersey Black Issues Convention and Sandra L. West, President, Bethany Baptist Church Black History Committee.
Panel Discussion: The History, Evolution, and Future of Black Music Saturday, March 2 Centennial Hall 12:00 – 4:00pm Panelists: Amiri Baraka, architect of the 1960s Black Arts Movement, author, Blues People and Black Music; Jeff Billingsley, CEO, Cobblestone Records; King Downing, entertainment attorney; Bobby Jackson, syndicated broadcaster The Jazz Mind; Dorthaan Kirk, Special Events & Program Coordinator WBGO–Jazz 88FM; Gwen Moten, City Commissioner and Supervisor of Cultural Services for The City of Newark; and Nikoa Workman, cellist and founder of Firey Strings Company. Junius Williams, Sr., vocalist and harmonica player with Return to the Source., will serve as moderator.	Amiri Baraka             Jeff Billingsley King Downing             Bobby Jackson
Anansi, Spiderman of Africa! Tuesday, March 5 Weequahic Branch 355 Osborne Terrace 973–733–7751 10:30am Performed by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre
Anansi, Spiderman of Africa! Wednesday, March 6 North End Branch 722 Summer Avenue 973–733–7766 4:00pm Performed by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre
Author Event: Religious Allusions in the Poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks Wednesday, March 13 Auditorium 6:00 – 8:00pm Lecture by Dr. Margot Harper Banks. Tributary poetry to the memory of Brooks, recited by poets Dorothea Moore, Betty Neals, and Sandra L. West. Book signing to follow.	Gwendolyn Brooks
Anansi, Spiderman of Africa! Thursday, March 21 Springfield Branch 50 Hayes Street 973–733–7736 10:00am Performed by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre
The Black Art Song Wednesday, March 27 Centennial Hall 6:00 – 8:00pm Concert featuring literary works of Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and others, sung by Kevin Maynor, bass, founder of Trilogy: An Opera Company. Accompanied by Eric Olson. On March 27, parking will be available in the Rutgers Lot (#506) on Essex Street behind the Library at a discounted rate of $4.50.