These are the best ways to spend February recognizing and celebrating Black history, locally and beyond.
It ’s calamitous History Month , a month dedicated to highlight the important contributions , achievements , and joy of the Black community of interests . Most people do n’t jazz how this month - long holiday originate . In 1926 , American historian Carter Woodsen — do it as the father of Black History Month — set out to unionize a week that would be devoted to preserving the history of Black Americans and educating next generations . At the meter , the second calendar week of February was already a celebratory week , in honour of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln ’s birthdays . But or else of centre on the impacts of only these salient figures , Woodsen also need the week to serve as a time to honor the contributions and bequest ofallBlack Americans across the land who impact history . Of course , that calendar week - long celebration is now what we cognize as Black History Month . And so , from learning about Black acculturation , dining at Black - owned eating place , to dancing at a concert , this year in Chicago there ’s quite a little to do . Just remember that it ’s important to continue to uplift and immortalise Black history and culture all yr long .
Learn about Black history and culture at museum exhibits/events
This month , museums all across Chicago are filled with exhibits and events pore around African American chronicle , creative person , performers , musicians , and more . TheDusable Museumhas several on-going exhibits include the feature film film projectEquiano . floor , andThe March , an immersive exhibit by Viola Davis that focuses on the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom . The museum will also have other issue happeningall month long .
At theArt Institute of Chicago , visitors can catch the exhibit , The Language of Beauty in African Art , a display of over 250 carving that sweep across the African continent , that ’s up until February 27 .
TheMCAhas a powerful showing up until February 12 calledMartine Syms : She Mad Season One , an immersive show that feature videos about how the Black experience is depicted through moving-picture show and TV . Also there , the exhibitForecast Form : Art in the Caribbean Diaspora , the 1990s – Todayis up until April , and is a marvellously curated radical exhibition that talks about place and identity operator . The museum will also be hostingeventsincluding give-and-take and screenings , artists ' negotiation , and a soundtrack series with DJ sets and band occupying spaces around the museum .
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
The Illinois Holocaust Museum’sexhibitThe Negro Motorist Green Book , is up until April 23 and includes images , artifacts , historical footage , and firsthand report of someone who used and interacted with the green al-Qur’an , a book that Black Americans used as a guide for over 30 years .
And on February 20,The Field Museumis celebrating its 30th year since openingAfrica Hall . Guests can enjoy an afternoon with a terpsichore functioning byMuntu Dance Theater .
Support Chicago’s Black-owned restaurants
There are countless tasty Black - own eatery to choose from all over Chicago — it ’s hard to choose one . Luckily , Chicago Black Restaurant Week , from February 12 - 26 , will be boast arobust lineup of Black - owned restaurantsalong with several events .
But you could always eat locally at one of the many Black - possess eating house in your neighbourhood . There ’s the Hyde Park southerly food favorite , Virtue Hyde Park ; kings of the shrimp and grits , Luella ’s Southern Kitchen ; home of the french toast flight of steps , Batter N Berries ; the creole psyche nutrient go - to , Soule ; Caribbean hot blot , Garifuna Flava : A Taste of Belize ; Ethiopian staple fibre , Demera ; sandwich and salad join , tAin’t She Sweet Cafe ; and so much more . There are also plenty of othersmall line of work you may supportlike brewery , dance studios … you name it .
Discover how plants connect us to Black history
It ’s the coldest time of the class in Chicago which signify it ’s a great time to warm up inside a greenish paradise . Garfield Conservatory is host this eventBlack History and Botany Tour with Urban Roots Teen Docentas part of Black History Month . visitor can learn about how the plant acquire inside the hothouse can connect us to Back chronicle . The outcome takes home on February 26 with guided tours beginning at 1 autopsy . Another nature - filled activity , Poetry Trail , is taking office in Bemis Woods South near O’hare , where visitors can take verse made for children written by Black artist as they take the air through the trails — February 8 from 10 am to 12 pm .
Immerse yourself in the stacks and some fun at Chicago Public Library
What better manner to fete Black account than to fence in yourself not only with books but also with a community that ’s activate , singular , and motivated . CPL isoffering a long card of eventsfrom film screening , on-line and live conversation , to Word of God club meeting , readings , and crafts . Thomas Kyd - friendly events likePaint and Sip : Martin Luther King Jr. Portrait , orDIY Printing and Traditional West African Systemsare a bully fashion to include the vernal members of our residential area . Or hire in hard and sinewy conversation throughout the month about many different topics like , Our Brothers : A Dialogue on the Current Perception of Black Men , Race and Trauma , and more . Film screening includeJudas and the Black Messiahon February 11,2016 : Obama ’s Americaon February 22 , andMonday Matinee : The Woman Kingon February 27 . Or just drop in and check out a book that is center on fateful account .
Let loose at a concert celebrating Black music
Chicago is acknowledge for feature a rich euphony chronicle . Genres like malarky , gospel singing , blues , and soul have deep theme here . What good style to observe Black chronicle than by celebrating fatal music this month . Head to one of the many concerts around town including construe the legend herself , Mavis Staples atThe Chicago Symphony Center . The regular recurrence and blues and evangel singer , actress , and polite right militant will be execute on February 4 at 8 pm — you do n’t want to miss this . There ’s also the opportunity to bring your date on Valentines day from 7 - 9 pm . to catch a night of jazz music at Compassion Baptist Church , a dark of performances byThe South Side Jazz Coalition .
Get inspired at a play, poetry reading, or a dance show
On the last Sunday of the calendar month , you could catchAfrofuturism Stage : Chicago , an all - night - long saltation , DJ , and photography show at the Promontory in Hyde Park . Or catch a spectacular dance carrying into action byA M.A.D.D. Rhythmswho are paying tribute to Nina Simone in a two - hour - long operation that will include wiretap , song , and storytelling . The show will be at the Harold Washington Cultural Center on February 26 .
The Second City’sDance Likes There ’s Black People Watching : A Black Excellence Revueis a lively show beginning February 3 , which will admit novel vignette , music , songs , and an all - around good clip .
Poetry has long been a powerful way to partake the Black experience . On February 9 , Poetry Foundation is hostingOpen Door : José Olivarez , Britteney Kapri , Vic Chávez & Raych Jackson , an event that is keep Olivarez ’s book , Promises of Gold .
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
And through February 26 , you could catchToni Stoneat the Goodman Theatre , a play free-base on a on-key story by Lydia R. Diamond . This period of play secern the narration of the first woman to act as in baseball ’s Negro Leagues and the challenge she confront .
Virtue Restaurant
Garfield Park Conservatory
Chicago Public Library
South Side Jazz Coalition, Inc.
Goodman Theatre
