When, where to celebrate Black History Month in New Orleans

Courtesy+of+Flickr

Courtesy of Flickr

Hannah Erbrick, Arcade Editor

With Black History Month fully underway, there’s no shortage of celebratory and informative events all over the country. Luckily for Tulane students, there may be few better cities in which to celebrate Black history and excellence than New Orleans. The many events around town seek to honor the presence and depth of Black culture and experiences in the Big Easy.

For a walk through the history of “Black Resistance and Resiliency in New Orleans,” join the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission for their Black History Month Celebration. Held in the Milne Recreation Center in Gentilly, the event includes a museum-style display of readings, performances and exhibits that recognize the role African-Americans have played in New Orleans History and Culture. This “interactive tour through history” also nods to black influence on food, dance, architecture and government. The free exhibition has two showings on Feb. 19 and 20 from 5 p.m.–8 p.m. and 9 a.m.–12 p.m., respectively.

Students looking to improve their writing need look no further than the Algiers Regional Library on Feb. 22 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. for a special Black History Month Writers’ Workshop. The event, which is free and open to all, features 10 published authors from the Gulf South, including Dr. Willie Black, Daphne Cross, Diana Riley and many more. The Writer’s Workshop is part of the Black History Month Literary Weekend, which also includes a jazz brunch and a fashion show for varying ticket prices.

If you are looking to sit back and enjoy some theatre, check out “The Other Black History” at the Ashe Power House Theater. The play, by Tulane professor Flint Mitchell, is a take on the ‘80s classic film “The Breakfast Club” that attempts to “teach comprehensive and accurate Black history,” according to the Ashe Cultural Center website. It explores the history of racial injustice in America, as told by a teacher to four students during Saturday detention. Tickets are available for $15-20 for four shows Feb. 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 25 at 3 p.m.

For music lovers, catch the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra’s special event on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate Black history and its relationship with New Orleans’ acclaimed jazz music heritage.

With so many events to choose from, there’s no reason not to get out of the Tulane bubble to explore and commemorate the real roots of New Orleans.

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