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While visiting Indiana Avenue, stop by Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church, organized in 1836, is the oldest African-American congregation in Indianapolis. Its original building was constructed in 1869 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The first NAACP chapter in the city was formed there. The church also played an integral role in the Underground Railroad movement and Civil War recruitment for the North. Bethel A.M.E. was recently recognized with a Certificate of Acceptance on behalf of the National Underground Network to Freedom Program. The honor recognizes the church as making a significant contribution to the understanding of the Underground Railroad in American history.
Art & Soul at the Indianapolis Artsgarden
Don’t miss 19 FREE performances throughout February as part of Art & Soul in the Indianapolis Artsgarden. This annual celebration of African-American art and artists will celebrate Black History Month. This year’s festival marks Art & Soul’s 12th anniversary. The performances feature a broad range of musical, dance, spoken word, poetry and living history from both established and emerging artists. The Eastern Star Church Gospel Choir and Praise Dancers will kick off this year’s celebration on Feb. 1 at 12:15 p.m. Highlights throughout the month of February include Gregg Bacon, Indy Steppers, Freetown Village, Asante Children’s Theatre and many more. For more details and a schedule of events, visit www.indyarts.org or call 624.2563.
The Madame Walker Theatre Centre will host a number of events this February including African Footprint, acclaimed as South Africa’s longest running show, on Feb. 14 and 15. The show is a 90-minute vibrant performance complete with the 30-member cast stomping, jiving, tapping and singing to the beat of African rhythms. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $80, $50 and $35. On Feb. 25, join national recording artists Napoleon Williams for an evening of gospel music and dance during the annual sing off “Singsation” at 6 p.m. in the historic Madame Walker Theatre. The program, free and open to the public, features several local youth choirs and dance ensembles. Call 236.2099 or visit www.walkertheatre.com or for more information.
The Indianapolis Urban League will recognize National Black HIV Awareness day on Thursday, Feb. 7. Call 693.7603 for more information.
Learn about African-American history
Join The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as African-American history comes alive during the month of February. Visitors can check daily map for dates and times. Don’t miss Target Family Night Feb. 7 from 4 – 8 p.m. On Feb. 2, the museum will host storyteller Lyn Ford at Home-Fried Tales at 2 p.m. On Feb. 9 and 16, visitors can explore the lives of Levi Coffin, the “president” of the Underground Railroad, and Madam Walker, America’s first female self-made millionaire. Experience the slaves’ flight to freedom at Follow the Drinking Gourd throughout the month. Kids can learn a slave song and use the Big Dipper to find freedom land. Visit the new Power of Children exhibit to see Ruby Bridges’ first-grade classroom from William Frantz Elementary School and lean how Ruby’s actions helped her find courage in the face of racism in the 1960s. The museum will feature a number of additional events and activities throughout February. To learn more, call 334.3322 or log on to www.childrensmuseum.org.
Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School will host the African-American History Challenge on Sat. Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. in the main auditorium of the high school. This event is sponsored by 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and is free and open to the public. Please call 226.4007 for more details.
In celebration of Black History Month, children and families are invited to learn about Indiana’s African-American history at the Indiana Historical Society. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had numerous ties to the Hoosier State and a tremendous impact on the 1960s civil rights movement in Indiana. The IHS will celebrate his efforts and influence in the exhibition, Sharing the Dream: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Indiana, open in the Lacy Gallery from now through March 31. The exhibition will
feature documents, letters and images from the IHS collections, including rare photos of Robert Kennedy’s speech in Indianapolis where he shared the news of King’s assassination with the crowd. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech will be available as an audio component of the exhibition.
In addition, the Indiana Historical Society is hosting African-American Soldiers in WWI as part of the
IHS Speakers Series on Feb. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Cole Porter Room. Join Ball State University historian, Nina Mjagkij, as she discusses the battlefront and home front experiences of African Americans during World War I.
Indiana communities can also be involved in the Indiana Black History Challenge, a contest that invites participants to investigate famous African-American Hoosiers and their contributions to society which takes place Feb. 1 – 29, 2008. Since 2001, the Indiana Historical Society has partnered with the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library and the Indiana Pacers to create game cards that participants use to investigate and answer Indiana African-American history facts. Game cards are mailed to local schools and can also be picked up at any IMCPL location or the Indiana History Center during the month of February. Contestants can also listen for Black History Challenge Facts read by Indiana Pacers and aired during 1070 The Fan radio broadcasts in February. All participants who complete the challenge and answer all questions correctly will win a special prize and all correct entries will be entered into a grand prize drawing which includes tickets to an upcoming Pacers game! For more information, contact the Indiana Historical Society at 233.5659 or email programs@indianahistory.org.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art will host Africa: Challenge and Hope– A Film Series on Feb. 7, 21 and 28. See how filmmakers document and envision the political, economic and social challenges in modern Africa. Log on to www.ima-art.org or call 923.1331 for more details.
Black History performances
The Indiana Repertory Theatre presents The Power of One exploring the lives of Rosa Parks, Madam C.J. Walker and Harriet Tubman, each an African-American woman who made a significant contribution to her community and country. Ticket and show information is available by calling 635.5252 or check out www.indianarep.com.
Visit the Indiana State Museum for Legacy Theater: The Indiana African-American Experience, for a look at Indiana's African-American history. Log on to www.indianamuseum.org or call 232.1637 for more information.
Join the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for the Celebration of Black History Concert on Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. This year's 23rd annual concert features jazz legend Dr. David Baker, Maestro Dunner and Dorothy Rudd-Moore. The ISO’s annual concert celebrates the significant impact of African-American culture on classical and symphonic music as well as the superb artistry and creativity of black artists, composers and conductors. This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for general seating. Log on to www.indianapolissymphony.org or call 639.4300 for more information.
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