This is a time for sharing the rich variety of events taking place during the month of February. It’s a time of year where we honor, indulge and celebrate the things that empower, educate and (yes) entertain ourselves and society about our contributions to humanity.
1. Historica Canada presents “An Evening Celebrating Black Women in Canada”
DATE: Tuesday Feb. 2, 2016
TIME: 6-8:30pm
LOCATION: Bram & Bluma Appel Salon (789 Yonge St., Toronto. )
FEE: A free event.
URL: www.celebrateblackhistory.ca
2. The opening of Zun Lee: Fade Resistance exhibition
DATE: Friday Feb. 5, 2016
TIME: 7pm-2am
LOCATION: Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W., Toronto)
FEE: A free event.
NOTES: It is an archival project that seeks to restore the narrative impact of thousands of found African American vernacular Polaroid photographs. A panel discussion will be held on Sunday, Feb. 7, 12-2pm at the same venue.
3. Harbourfront Centre’s Kuumba Festival explores what it means to be black in the 21st century under the theme, ‘Black Like We.”
DATE: Feb. 5-7, 2016
TIME: 9-11pm
TELEPHONE: 416-973-4000
URL: www.harbourfrontcentre.com/kuumba/
NOTES: Artist Anne-Marie Woods’ all black female comedy showcase, “Black Like She,” will be held during Kuumba, the Black History Month celebration on Friday, Feb. 5, 9-11pm. Kuumba runs from Feb. 5-7 and will include journalist, Desmond Cole; poet, Dwayne Morgan; and many more.
4. Jones & Jones presents A Tribute to the Legends: Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs & Joseph Hill
DATE: Saturday Feb. 6, 2016
TIME: Doors open at 8pm. Showtime: 10pm.
LOCATION: The Opera House (735 Queen St. East – at Broadview – Toronto)
TELEPHONE: 905-452-1911
NOTES: Featuring Exco Levi & High Priest, Chester Miller & Hardcore, Human Rights, Mr. Cooper, Nana McLean, Lucas DiPasquale & DJ Joshua Lucas. Doors open at 8pm. Showtime: 10pm.
5. Toronto Black Film Festival
DATE: Feb. 10-14
URL: torontoblackfilm.com
NOTES: TBFF founder and president, Fabienne Colas, will announce the line-up of programming at the Carlton Cinema (20 Carlton St., Toronto) on Jan. 20, 10:30a.m.
6. Toronto Urban Book Expo – a Black History Month Book Fair
DATE: Saturday Feb. 13, 2016
TIME: 12-4pm
LOCATION: North York Central Library (5120 Yonge Street, Toronto)
FEE: Free admission.
TELEPHONE: 647-342-3040
7. Obsidian Theatre Company presents VENUS’ DAUGHTER
DATE: February 14 — February 28, 2016
LOCATION: The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 3P4
)
FEE: Call 416-538-0988 or email boxoffice@theatrecentre.org for tickets info.
NOTES: Venus’ Daughter is a play about the intersection of myths, fables and the realities of how women and their bodies are viewed. Told from many perspectives it weaves together song, comedy and rhythm to create a rich moving drama. Inspired by the life of Sara Baartman (Hottentot Venus), Venus’ Daughter peels back the layers of pop culture obsession with the black female form and the silence around the infamous figure, uncovering her connection to a young woman almost 200 years after her death. A timely and clever piece by a bold new Canadian voice, Meghan Swaby.
VENUS’ DAUGHTER DIRECTED BY: Philip Akin STARRING: Akosua Amo-Adem, Kaleb Alexander and Meghan Swaby
8. Jamaican celebrated author, Marlon James, 2015 Man Booker Prize winner for his book, A Brief History of Seven Killings, will be having a Q&A and book signing.
DATE: Thursday Feb. 18, 2016
TIME: 7-8pm (doors open at 6pm)
LOCATION: Toronto Reference Library (Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, 789 Yonge St, Toronto)
FEE: Free event
9. The Anti-Black Racism Network presents a public lecture & conference
DATE: Feb. 18-20, 2016
NOTES: The inaugural public lecture, “Acknowledging 50 Years of Black Activism and Resistance in Toronto,” Feb 18th 6pm reception; will be held to commemorate the work of Dr. Akua Benjamin on Feb. 18, 7pm at LIB 072, Ryerson University. Keynote speakers for the conference on Feb. 19&20: Dr. Rinaldo Walcott Speaks Feb 19th @ 9am “Keynote Lecture” {Opening Keynote: ‘Invisible and Hyper-Visible Black-Canadian Life and Institutional Disregard.’} and Dr. Malinda Smith. www.ryerson.ca/socialwork/abrn.