Now – March 8: Speaking of People Ebony, Jet and Contemporary Art Speaking of People: Ebony, Jet and Contemporary Art explores the ways contemporary artists use Ebony and Jet as a resource and as inspiration in their practices. Published by Johnson Publishing Company for over sixty years, both magazines are cultural touchstones for many African Americans and often represent a commonality between people of diverse backgrounds. Considering Ebony and Jet from a variety of perspectives—as journalistic material and important documenters of black life, as metaphor for African-American culture and as theoretical spaces for black thought and exchange—the exhibition examines the magazines’ material and cultural legacy as artists perceive them. The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W 125th St, studiomuseum.org
February 13, 3pm: All-Star Gospel Celebration: 10th Anniversary The First & Only official Gospel event during NBA All-Star Weekend will celebrate it’s 10th Year of bringing inspiration to NBA All-Star Weekend! Featuring Shirley Caesar, Trip Lee, Micah Stamply, Danny Gokey, Saxophonist Angella Christie, Jamie Grace, Byran Popin, and Kevin Levar. Apollo Theater 253 W 125th St, 212-531-5305, www.apollotheater.org, Tickets: $45, $75 and $125
January 31 – February 1, 7pm: Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale The award-winning Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale returns to the Harlem stage for a debut of three newly-revised shows! Dwyer Cultural Center, 258 St Nicholas, www.HarlemKWProject.com, Tickets: $20
Through March 9: Radical Presence: Black Performance in Contemporary Art The first exhibition to survey over 50 years of performance art by visual artists of African descent from the US and the Caribbean. The show begins with examples dating from Fluxus—a loose international network of artists from the 1960s and ’70s—and Conceptual art of the same period, and continues up to the present day. The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W 125th St, studiomuseum.org
February 1 – 27, Hand-Pull: The Art of Printmaking: Includes the work of several prominent African-American print-making artists: Otto Neals, Ann Tanksley, Ramona Candy, Michael Kelly Williams and the curator, Francks Deceus. The exhibition includes daily screenings of a short film on print-making and the artists. The exhibition also includes printmaking workshops from 4-6PM every Saturday, throughout the month of February. LeRoy Neiman Art Center,2785 Frederick Douglass Blvd www.neimancenter.org, $20 donation suggested.
February 2, 4pm: Abyssinian Jazz Vespers Edmar Castenada performs. AbyssinianBaptist Church, 132 Odell Clark Pl, www.abyssinian.org
February 4, 7pm: Hate Crimes in the Heartland The City College Center for the Arts and Lioness Media Arts, Inc. presents Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker Rachel Lyon and her newest film. The film reveals the extremes of racial tension in America’s heartland, told through the eyes of survivors of the 1921 Race Riot and the 2012 “Good Friday Murders.” Panel of distinguish guests immediately following film. Aaron Davis Hall, 160 Convent Ave,212-650-6900, adhatccny.org, Tickets FREE
February 5, 7pm: Celia the Queen – Film Screening and Panel Discussion Celia the Queen, produced by Joe Cardona, is a loving look at the amazing life and legacy of a woman whose voice symbolized the soul of a nation and captured the hearts of fans worldwide. The film shows the diversity of the people whose lives she touched, from stars like Quincy Jones, Andy Garcia, and Wyclef Jean to ordinary people all over the world who loved not only her music but her incredible spirit. El Museo del Barrio 1230 5th Ave, 212-831-7272, www.apollotheater.org, Tickets FREE
February 5 – 10, 7:30pm: Facing our Truth: 10 Minute Plays on Trayvon, Race and Privilege Opening on February 5, Trayvon Martin’s birthday, Facing Our Truth: 10 minute Plays on Trayvon, Race and Privilege features six plays directed by Ebony Golden and Axel Avin Jr. and will be paired with an array of Community Engagement activities with the help of Betty’s Daughter Arts Collaborative. The goal for these events is to help spark a discussion about privilege and race in this country. National Black Theatre, 2031 5th Ave, www.nationalblacktheatre.org, Tickets $25
February 6, 6:30pm: Apollo Live Wire: Black Style on Stage In honor of the Apollo’s 80th birthday, this Live Wire event digs deep into our trove of colorized photos to uncover the depths of Black style as embodied by both well and lesser known performers. Black Style on Stage will look at clothes, costumes, hair and other style elements and the more intricate details of how performers presented themselves in pictures and on stage. Apollo Theater 253 W 125th St, 212-531-5305, www.apollotheater.org, Tickets FREE
February 7, 10pm: Apollo Music Café: Alison Carney and Lucius Clark Influenced by the legendary Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson, Lucius Clark’s silky smooth ballads implore you to come closer. Described as “the skinny boy with the fat man’s voice,” Clark’s expansive range reminds us all why we first fell in love with soul music. Apollo Theater253 W 125th St, 212-531-5305, www.apollotheater.org, Tickets $20
February 7, 6:30pm: Bridging Boundaries: Redefining Diaspora The pieces in Bridging Boundaries: Redefining Diaspora is the fruit of relationships developed between selected Columbia University student artists and mentoring FLUX artists fostering collaborative production and inclusive conversations about racial and cultural identity in the African Diaspora. Postcrypt Art Gallery, Columbia University, 116th St and Broadway, www.artinfluxharlem.com
February 8, 7pm: Batoto Yetu The City College Center for the Arts and the internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and Batoto Yetu founder Júlio T. Leitão invite you to an encore performance from the inspiring and talented young dancers of Batoto Yetu. Batoto Yetu has proven to be a worldwide sensation performing around the globe with iconic artists like the late Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson, Harry Belafonte, and others. Aaron Davis Hall, 160 Convent Ave,212-650-6900, adhatccny.org, Tickets $25, Children $10
February 8, 10pm: Apollo Music Café: Ava Luna and Rachel Brown Mix in a little punk with a spoonful of soul, and a dash of three part harmony and you arrive at this merry band of musical gladiators. Often compared to fellow sound mavericks TV on the Radio, it’s no wonder that the Village Voice calls them “…the rare band that needs to be heard to be believed.” Performing a set that spans nearly every genre, from world music to hip hop, Rachel delights audiences with her distinct vocal stylings. Apollo Theater253 W 125th St, 212-531-5305, www.apollotheater.org, Tickets $20
February 8-9, 1-5pm: Open House Weekend – An Apollo 80th Anniversary In celebration of African-American History Month and our 80th Anniversary, the Apollo Theater will open its doors for a FREE WEEKEND that gives visitors an understanding of our rich history, a preview of our future activities and honors some of the “Apollo Family” members that have helped us get to this landmark anniversary. Apollo Theater 253 W 125th St, 212-531-5305, www.apollotheater.org, FREE
February 9, 3:00pm: Dance Theatre of Harlem Sunday Matinée Series – DTH IS 45 Featuring the Dance Theatre of Harlem School’s Professional Training Program and Cabriole Ensemble; Vocalist Dionne Figgins; Erin Rogers and The New Thread Quartet, as part of the Composers Now Festival; Periapsis, with choreography by Da’Von Doane; Raven Barkley and Jeffery Duffy, hosted by Danielle Thomas. Dance Theatre of Harlem, 466 W 152nd St, www.dancetheatreofharlem.org, Tickets: $18 adults/ $14 for seniors, children, college students with ID. Tickets at the door: $20 adults/$15 seniors, children, college students with ID.
February 19, 7:30pm: Dig Deeper – A Listening Session with Bilal Bilal discusses his influences, discography and the evolution of his music. Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Ave, 212-281-9240, www.harlemstage.org, Tickets $30
February 20-23: Apollo Club Harlem Enter the magic of the 30s and 40s when MAURICE HINES, dubbed “the hippest man alive” by the Wall Street Journal, returns with an all-new APOLLO CLUB HARLEM. This sparkling 90-minute, nightclub revue celebrates the glorious musical legacy of the Apollo Theater with sultry crooners, spectacular dance acts, a swingin’ 16-piece big band and a chorus line of Red Hot Steppers. Apollo Theater 253 W 125th St, 212-531-5305, www.apollotheater.org, Tickets $150 (nightclub, orchestra seating), $65, $55, $45
February 21, 7pm: Bilal – An Uptown Nights Event It’s a mixer it’s a performance, it’s a dance party. Unafraid to take risks, musical genius and visionary vocalist Bilal is forever pushing boundaries with his eclectic, genre-defying sound. Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Ave, 212-281-9240, www.harlemstage.org, Tickets $30
February 21, 6:30 pm: The Malcolm X Museum Annual Commemoration of the Anniversary of the Assassination of Malcolm X/Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Lenox Ave, 212-491-2200, www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg
February 24, 6:30 pm: Theater Talks – Motown The Musical Join the cast and production team for a conversation on the Broadway performance. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Lenox Ave, 212-491-2200, www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg
February 27, 7pm: Beat Street The City College Center for the Arts and City College Center for Worker Education presents this iconic Hip Hop film originally shot in Aaron Davis Hall. This presentation is presented as part of the CWE “Is Hip Hop History” Conference. Aaron Davis Hall, 160 Convent Ave, 212-650-6900, adhatccny.org, Tickets FREE
February 27, 7:30pm: Harlem Opera Theatre – Salute to Black History Month Features the works of Alexander Pushkin, the African-Russian literary genius with international singers Morenike Fadayomi, soprano, and Everett Suttle, tenor, under the artistic direction of Gregory Hopkins. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Lenox Ave, 212-491-2200, Tickets at harlemoperatheater.org
Events are subject to change. Visit the event website or box office to confirm details. Also visit experienceharlem.com for the latest Harlem stops, sips, events and deals. Stay connected #harlemstory for updates throughout the month.