MIAMI – The community is invited to join the Black History Month celebration at Miami-Dade Public Libraries. Learn about Fannie Lou Hamer, voting right activist and civil rights leader; explore the history of American music with Detroit native Ray Kamalay; view artwork on the Gullah/Geechee people of South Carolina low country, and participate in a traditional African drumming circle.
The library presents more than 15,000 free programs annually, throughout its 48 branches. A complete listing of events is available at www.mdpls.org.
Highlights of the month:
West African Craft Workshop with Brenda Jordan
Join artist Brenda Jordan as she explores the traditional crafts of West Africa. Learn the symbolism of an ancient African language in this interactive and educational workshop. Limit 20 participants.
North Dade Regional – 2455 NW 183 St. 305-625-6424
Thursday, February 4, 4:30 p.m.
Celebrating Ghana – Family “Mini” Festival
Learn about the history and culture of Ghana during this full day of crafts, creative dramatics with Juba This Juba That!, West African storytelling, games and songs with award-winning storyteller and author Sadarri Saskill and Company, and a West African Drum Circle with multidisciplinary artist Lela Lombardo.
North Dade Regional – 2455 NW 183 St. 305-625-6424
Saturday, February 6, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
World Slavery: The Haitian Revolution and the Rise of American Music
Detroit native Ray Kamalay traces the development of slavery from ancient times to its links with American society up to the early jazz age. Discussion includes ancient and modern slavery, the Haitian Revolution, the origin of blackface, spirituals, blues, minstrel shows, ragtime and jazz. Kamalay has performed at some of the most prestigious venues including the Edinburgh Festival, Interlochen and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
North Dade Regional – 2455 NW 183 St.
Monday, February 8, 7 p.m.
Haitian Drumming and Craft
Haitian artist, and owner of the Jakmel Art Gallery, Jude Papaloko will transport you to the shores of Haiti in this traditional Haitian drumming performance. Create your own “Worry Doll” after the show.
Edison Branch – 531 NW 62 St,- 305-757-0668
Tuesday, February 16, 3:30pm
Acting Workshop for the Skunk and the Possum with artist Oscar Fuentes
This early literacy/acting workshop will take children on a historical journey through the Caribbean, and make a landing on the shores of Haiti. Explore the beauty of Haiti’s culture, its origins, and its journey to independence. Children will also perform a skit of the popular Caribbean myth the Skunk and the Possum. Pre- registration required for all three workshops.
Lemon City Branch- 430 NE 61st Street – 305- 757-0662
Tuesday, February 16, 4 p.m., Wednesday February 17, 4 p.m., Thursday, February 18, 4 p.m.
Celebrating Haiti – Family “Mini” Festival
This mini-festival will highlight Haiti’s historical and cultural traditions. Participate in a traditional Haitian Dance workshop with Régine Paul and members of the Louines Louinis Haitian Dance Theater. Enjoy a theatrical presentation of the Skunk and the Possum, and much more!
Lemon City Branch – 430 NE 61Street – 305- 757-0662
February 20, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Fannie Lou Hamer Story
Actress and singer Mzuri Moyo brings the indomitable spirit of Fannie Lou Hamer to the library. Hamer, also known as the mother of civil rights, was one of the most talked-about activists of the movement and was the Mississippi freedom fighter of the 1960s. Hamer’s work promoted voter registration with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and her deep commitment to grass-roots anti-poverty projects made her a force to be reckoned with.
South Dade Regional – 10750 SW 211 St., 305- 233-8140
Thursday, February 4, 6 p.m.
Naranja Branch – 14850 SW 280 St. 305- 242-2290
Wednesday, February 17, 6:30 p.m.
North Central Branch – 9590 NW 27 Avenue, 305- 693-4541
Wednesday, February 24, 6 p.m.
African Drumming and Stories with Baba Lyons
Take a cultural journey around the world with renowned storyteller and actor Baba Lyons. Enjoy African tales and the sounds of the African drums.
Main Library, 101 W Flagler St. 305-375-2665
Tuesday, February 9, 10:30 a.m.
Virrick Park Branch 3255 Plaza St. 305-442-7872
Saturday, February 13, 1:30 p.m.
Palmetto Bay Branch 17641 Old Cutler Rd. 305-232-1771
Saturday, February 20, 1:30 p.m.
Naranja Branch – 14850 SW 280 St. 305- 242-2290
Tuesday, February 25, 6:30 p.m.
Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban Dance & Music Company presents “The “Guije” That Wanted to Go to School” Internationally known Afro-Cuban choreographer and dancer Neri Torres leads this work, based on a traditional Afro-Cuban character. Performance combines storytelling, dance and drumming.
Culmer/Overtown Branch – 350 NW 13 St., 305- 579-5322
Saturday, February 20, 11 a.m.
Allapattah Branch – 1799 NW 35 St. 305- 638-6086
Saturday, February 20, 2 p.m.
Kendale Lakes Branch- 15205 SW 88 St. 305-388-0326 Saturday, February 27, 2 p.m.
Main Library – 101 W Flagler St. 305-375-2665
Saturday, February 27, 11 a.m.
Art Exhibition:
Gullah Geechee and the 7 Dreams
Curated by Gary L. Moore
January 23 – March 31
Reception: Thursday, January 28, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Main Library, Auditorium, 101 W. Flagler St, 305-375-2665
Multidisciplinary artist Gary L. Moore is nationally recognized for his permanent public art installations and interventions that join African American pop culture and architectural context. For Gullah Geechee and the 7 Dreams, Moore curates an exhibition, from the Library System’s Permanent Collection, through the lens of the interests and influences that inform his work as an artist. This cultural framework includes South Carolina low country Gullah Geechee Culture, the anthropological writings of Zora Neale Hurston, the culturally-specific minimalist conceptual work of David Hammond, and the fiction of Toni Morrison. Bound together by the metaphysical connections between folk culture, low country mysticism, histories of slavery and revolution, and handmade aesthetics, the exhibition includes work by Kabuya Pamela Bowens, Carlos Alfonzo, Ana Mendieta, and Elizabeth Catlett, among many others.
About the artist:
Born in the low country town of Pee Dee, South Carolina and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Gary L. Moore currently lives and works in Ft. Lauderdale. Moore received a BFA in sculpture at the University of Miami (1992), attended the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Independent Study Program (1990-91), and earned an MFA from Norwich University (1995). Moore has exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia; the Walker Art Center, and the Museum of Art – Fort Lauderdale.
