Celebrate the culture and contributions of African Americans during Black History Month in New Jersey. A host of activities, events and exhibits have been scheduled to commemorate a community that is part of the rich diversity identified with the Garden State.
Explore the contributions of the African-American community in Cape May now through through April 18. The exhibit,
“Black, Blue & True: To the Tune of Inspiration,” is a photographic look at some of the Cape May area’s African American musicians, as well as the famous jazz and blues artists who influenced them. The exhibit features the work of William H. May, who has been photographing jazz and blues musicians for more than 40 years. For information, call 800-275-4278. Visit
https://capemaymac.org/.
“Black, Blue & True: To the Tune of Inspiration” Panel Discussion: Join musicians featured in the exhibit at the Carriage House Gallery located on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. The discussion begins at 4 p.m. and is moderated by Jeff Duperon, Jazz Host at WRTI-FM, Temple University’s radio station on Feb. 21. Admission is free. For more information, call 800-275-4278.
View the works of Julius Rosenwald at
A Force for Change: African American Art Exhibition
, presenting the artistic products of Julius Rosenwald and includes more than 60 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by 22 Rosenwald fellows, as well as an original short documentary film at the Montclair Art Museum now through July 25, 2010. For information call (973) 746-5555. Visit
www.montclairartmuseum.org.
Local African-American artists in Marlton will exhibit their work in many mediums on display Feb. 1-23 at the Center for the Arts in Southern New Jersey. For information call 856-985-1009. Visit
www.cfasnj.com.
The Montclair Art Museum’s African American Cultural Committee collaborates with the Montclair African American Heritage Committee for the third Annual Film Festival. The festival will include film screenings and discussions on topics relevant to the evolution of black American cinema from the early 20
th century to the present. Two short films will be presented on February 21 (approx. 30 minutes each) on Anne Spencer, a poet during the Harlem Renaissance. Two of Ms. Spencer’s granddaughters will be present at the screening. MAM will also be screening the film
Tap, on February 28, starring Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Savion Glover. Yvette Glover (Savion’s mother) will be present at the screening. For information call (973) 746-5555. Visit
www.montclairartmuseum.org.
In the days before one of the most anticipated fights in boxing history, 23-year-old heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali formed an improbable bond with controversial former Hollywood star Stepin Fetchit. Set in the heady times of the mid-1960s, after years of struggle and a series of Civil Rights victories,
Fetch Clay, Make Man by Will Power explores the true story of two wildly different men, each struggling to create and shape his image and legacy. This absorbing production is a rhythmic, expressive, and innovative exploration of one of the missing pages in America’s history book, and is showing through February 14 at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton. For information call 609-258-2787. Visit
www.mccarter.org.
For more information on New Jersey activities and destinations, itinerary ideas, accommodations and ordering brochures, go to
www.visitnj.org or call 1-800-VISITNJ.
