Kelsey BradshawAustin American-Statesman
Black History Month has officially begun and Austin has plenty of ways to celebrate.
We rounded up 10 Black History Month events for you to peruse:
UNITED VOL 8: A Black History Month Boogie
Start Black History Month with some dancing at Cambria Hotel's Limestone Rooftop (68 East Ave.) on Feb. 2 starting at 8 p.m. KUTX's DJ Shani, who hosts the radio show "The Groove Temple," is hosting the event along with DJ Blue Lotus and DJ Lóa. The event is free to attend. RSVP at: eventbrite.com.
"We can't express our excitement about our eighth annual celebration of blackness, house music culture, women, fellowship, and dance in Austin," the event's description says.
Solar Saturday: Black History Month Kick-off Block Party at George Washington Carver Museum
The Carver Museum is hosting lots of Black History Month events, including a kick-off block party on Feb. 3 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The party, hosted at the museum (1165 Angelina St.), is free and has everything from a vendor market to refreshments to arts and crafts and more. For more information and to RSVP, visit: austintexas.gov.
More: Where can you learn more about early Black history in Austin? These sites are worth visiting
'American History: Elevate' exhibit at RichesArt Gallery
RichesArt Gallery's yearly Black History Month exhibit is back. "American History: Elevate" opens Feb. 3 and runs through March 24. This year's exhibit is meant to "uplift community and promote creating the Black History we want to see," gallery officials said. The gallery is hosting a reception for the exhibit on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (2511 East Sixth St.) The reception is free to attend. RSVP at: eventbrite.com.
Black History Month bus unveiling
Cap Metro and Mas Cultura are unveiling a bus on Feb. 7 at Cap Metro's administrative building (2910 East Fifth St.). The bus will feature the artwork of Sadé Lawson. Lawson's design is inspired by Black History Month, Cap Metro officials said. The unveiling starts at noon and is free to attend. More information can be found at: instagram.com.
Opening reception for 'Alicia Henry: (un)knowing' at Art Galleries at Black Studies
Art Galleries at Black Studies at the University of Texas is hosting a reception for the opening of "Alicia Henry: (un)knowing" on Feb. 8. The reception starts at 6 p.m. at Christian-Green Gallery (201 East 21st St.).
The exhibit includes sculptures and installations that ask viewers to think about their preconceived notions of Blackness, gallery officials said. Henry used found materials like dye, acrylic, thread, and linen for her work. She said it allowed her to "tap into the psychological and spiritual functions of ritual masks in African cultures, portraiture, and social wearing of masks that represent layers of identities.”
More information can be found at: galleriesatut.org.
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Exhibition reception for 'Black Girls Don't Wear Red Lipstick' at Austin Public Library
"Black Girls Don't Wear Red Lipstick" opens at Austin Public Central Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez St., on Feb. 15. The exhibit features photos of Black women wearing shades of red lipstick by Austin photographer Leta Harrison. The images show women "using beauty as a form of activism to reclaim their power, challenge oppressive beauty standards, and stifle stereotypes," the event's description says.
A reception for the exhibit will start at 6 p.m. on Feb 15. The event is free to attend. More information can be found at: library.austintexas.gov.
EASE ON DOWN: Black History Month Market
Shop local, small, Black-owned businesses on Feb. 17 at Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd. in Bee Cave. The market runs noon to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. Find more information at eventbrite.com.
Black History Month Central Library Celebration
Austin Public Library is hosting a daylong Black History Month celebration on Feb. 24, starting at 10:15 a.m. at the central library (710 West Cesar Chavez St.). The day is full of events including puppet shows, a spoken word writing workshop, a portrait workshop, and live music. More information can be found at: library.austintexas.gov.
Celebrate Black Austin at Kenny Dorham's Backyard
This Black History Month event starts with a two-hour walking tour of landmarks and street art in Austin's African American Cultural Heritage District. The walk is followed by an opportunity to shop a market with local Black-owned businesses. And, it's free! The event starts at noon on Feb. 24 at Kenny Dorham's Backyard (1106 East 11th St.) and runs until 3:30 p.m. To RSVP, visit: eventbrite.com.
Black History Month Kids' Day at George Washington Carver Museum
The Carver Museum is hosting a kids' day on Feb. 24 with a theme of "African Americans and the Arts." The day, hosted at the museum (1165 Angelina St.), runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes arts and crafts. For more information and to RSVP, visit: austintexas.gov.
