Opening Reception of African Presence 2012 kicks off Black History Month, Feb. 2

NSU’s Black History Month celebration kicks off with the annual opening reception of African Presence Art 2012, Ninth Annual Art Exhibition, on Thursday, Feb. 2. During the month of February, NSU will host a variety of activities including engaging performances, film screenings, dynamic speakers, compelling educational workshops, and discussions for all ages.

Highlights of the month-long celebration include:

• African Presence Art Exhibition, “Contemporary African Diaspora Memory in Motion,” featuring work by 12 international artists of African descent whose work explores the relationship between memory, history and art. Exhibition on display from Feb. 2 to March 28;

• Documentary screenings of The Revolution Will be Live exploring black youth’s cultural views on Feb. 9 and 10; Runway Afrique exploring African fashion on Feb. 16; and A Good Man exploring the choreography of Bill T. Jones on Feb. 16;

• Lectures on the 150th anniversary of the Civil War on Feb. 1; on the mental health needs of Caribbean immigrants on Feb. 21; and exploring the link between MLK’s dream and President Obama on Feb. 25;

• Special performances featuring the songs of Zora Neale Hurston on Feb. 11; the “Our Stories” cultural showcase on Feb. 17; and a one-man show about MLK on Feb. 18;

• Afro-Brazilian dance classes, writing workshops, family and children’s entertainment, and much, much more!

The first week of February includes these events:

Wednesday, February 1

Photo Exhibition – Outstanding Black Women in American History and Culture, 9 am

This exciting photo exhibition of black women is free and open to the public. Location: Conference Room B of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler School of Education, 1750 N.E. 167th St., North Miami Beach. Contact Clyde Bailey (clydeb@nova.edu) or Indiana Robinson (indianar@nova.edu) for more information.

Discussion – “Black History and the Civil War” facilitated by Stephen Engle, FAU professor of History, 7 pm

As this year marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, please join us as FAU professor Stephen Engle, Ph.D., explores black history in relation to the Civil War. Location: Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium. Free, but reservations are required as seating is limited. Sponsored by Farquhar College of Arts & Sciences. For more information, call David Kilroy, Ph.D at 954-262-8021.

Thursday, February 2

Grand Opening Reception – “Contemporary African Diaspora Memory in Motion,” African Presence 2012 Ninth Annual Art Exhibition, 6:30 pm

Evening will feature refreshments, giveaways, musical entertainment, dance and step performances. Opening Reception will be held in the Don Taft University Center. Exhibition will be unveiled at 8:00 pm in the NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library. For more information or to RSVP, call 954-262-5357 or send email to serioux@nova.edu.

Tuesday, February 7

Afro-Brazilian Dance Master Class with Augusto Soledade, Noon

Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences will feature performing and Visual Arts faculty member and Brazz Dance Artistic Director Augusto Soledade who will bring Brazil to South Florida with this energetic dance workshop! Location: PVA Performance Theater, Don Taft University Center. Free, but reservations are required as space is limited. Call Augusto Soledade, MFA at 954-262-8274 or Elana Lanczi at (954)262-7613 for more information.

Genealogy 101, 1-2:00 pm.

The Alvin Sherman Library invites you to find your Caribbean Roots during this genealogy workshop that allows you to get hands-on experience tracing your family’s genealogy. Location: Sherman Library, Lab A. Call 954-262-4613.

More events are being added all the time, so for the latest updates and more details please visit: www.nova.edu/blackhistory.