Kelsey BradshawAustin American-Statesman
Black History Month has officially begun and Austin has plenty of ways to celebrate.
We rounded up 10 Black History Month events for you to peruse:
UNITED VOL 8: A Black History Month Boogie
Start Black History Month with some dancing at Cambria Hotel's Limestone Rooftop (68 East Ave.) on Feb. 2 starting at 8 p.m. KUTX's DJ Shani, who hosts the radio show "The Groove Temple," is hosting the event along with DJ Blue Lotus and DJ Lóa. The event is free to attend. RSVP at: eventbrite.com.
"We can't express our excitement about our eighth annual celebration of blackness, house music culture, women, fellowship, and dance in Austin," the event's description says.
Solar Saturday: Black History Month Kick-off Block Party at George Washington Carver Museum
The Carver Museum is hosting lots of Black History Month events, including a kick-off block party on Feb. 3 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The party, hosted at the museum (1165 Angelina St.), is free and has everything from a vendor market to refreshments to arts and crafts and more. For more information and to RSVP, visit: austintexas.gov.
More: Where can you learn more about early Black history in Austin? These sites are worth visiting
'American History: Elevate' exhibit at RichesArt Gallery
RichesArt Gallery's yearly Black History Month exhibit is back. "American History: Elevate" opens Feb. 3 and runs through March 24. This year's exhibit is meant to "uplift community and promote creating the Black History we want to see," gallery officials said. The gallery is hosting a reception for the exhibit on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (2511 East Sixth St.) The reception is free to attend. RSVP at: eventbrite.com.
Black History Month bus unveiling
Cap Metro and Mas Cultura are unveiling a bus on Feb. 7 at Cap Metro's administrative building (2910 East Fifth St.). The bus will feature the artwork of Sadé Lawson. Lawson's design is inspired by Black History Month, Cap Metro officials said. The unveiling starts at noon and is free to attend. More information can be found at: instagram.com.
Opening reception for 'Alicia Henry: (un)knowing' at Art Galleries at Black Studies
Art Galleries at Black Studies at the University of Texas is hosting a reception for the opening of "Alicia Henry: (un)knowing" on Feb. 8. The reception starts at 6 p.m. at Christian-Green Gallery (201 East 21st St.).
The exhibit includes sculptures and installations that ask viewers to think about their preconceived notions of Blackness, gallery officials said. Henry used found materials like dye, acrylic, thread, and linen for her work. She said it allowed her to "tap into the psychological and spiritual functions of ritual masks in African cultures, portraiture, and social wearing of masks that represent layers of identities.”
More information can be found at: galleriesatut.org.
More: Free tapings from Black Pumas, Gary Clark Jr. on tap for 50th 'Austin City Limits' season
Exhibition reception for 'Black Girls Don't Wear Red Lipstick' at Austin Public Library
"Black Girls Don't Wear Red Lipstick" opens at Austin Public Central Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez St., on Feb. 15. The exhibit features photos of Black women wearing shades of red lipstick by Austin photographer Leta Harrison. The images show women "using beauty as a form of activism to reclaim their power, challenge oppressive beauty standards, and stifle stereotypes," the event's description says.
A reception for the exhibit will start at 6 p.m. on Feb 15. The event is free to attend. More information can be found at: library.austintexas.gov.
EASE ON DOWN: Black History Month Market
Shop local, small, Black-owned businesses on Feb. 17 at Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd. in Bee Cave. The market runs noon to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. Find more information at eventbrite.com.
Black History Month Central Library Celebration
Austin Public Library is hosting a daylong Black History Month celebration on Feb. 24, starting at 10:15 a.m. at the central library (710 West Cesar Chavez St.). The day is full of events including puppet shows, a spoken word writing workshop, a portrait workshop, and live music. More information can be found at: library.austintexas.gov.
Celebrate Black Austin at Kenny Dorham's Backyard
This Black History Month event starts with a two-hour walking tour of landmarks and street art in Austin's African American Cultural Heritage District. The walk is followed by an opportunity to shop a market with local Black-owned businesses. And, it's free! The event starts at noon on Feb. 24 at Kenny Dorham's Backyard (1106 East 11th St.) and runs until 3:30 p.m. To RSVP, visit: eventbrite.com.
Black History Month Kids' Day at George Washington Carver Museum
The Carver Museum is hosting a kids' day on Feb. 24 with a theme of "African Americans and the Arts." The day, hosted at the museum (1165 Angelina St.), runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes arts and crafts. For more information and to RSVP, visit: austintexas.gov.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Here's a breakdown of the concepts and events related to Black History Month in Austin:
UNITED VOL 8: A Black History Month Boogie
- Date: February 2, 2024, at 8 p.m.
- Location: Cambria Hotel's Limestone Rooftop (68 East Ave.)
- Description: This event is a celebration of blackness, house music culture, women, fellowship, and dance in Austin. It features DJs such as DJ Shani, DJ Blue Lotus, and DJ Lóa. The event is free to attend, and you can RSVP at eventbrite.com.
Solar Saturday: Black History Month Kick-off Block Party at George Washington Carver Museum
- Date: February 3, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: George Washington Carver Museum (1165 Angelina St.)
- Description: The Carver Museum is hosting a kick-off block party for Black History Month. The event includes a vendor market, refreshments, arts and crafts, and more. It is free to attend, and you can find more information and RSVP at austintexas.gov.
'American History: Elevate' exhibit at RichesArt Gallery
- Date: The exhibit opens on February 3, 2024, and runs through March 24, 2024.
- Location: RichesArt Gallery (2511 East Sixth St.)
- Description: RichesArt Gallery's yearly Black History Month exhibit, titled "American History: Elevate," aims to uplift the community and promote the creation of the Black History we want to see. The exhibit features various artworks. There will be a reception for the exhibit on February 3, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., which is free to attend. You can RSVP at eventbrite.com.
Black History Month bus unveiling
- Date: February 7, 2024, at noon
- Location: Cap Metro's administrative building (2910 East Fifth St.)
- Description: Cap Metro and Mas Cultura are unveiling a bus featuring the artwork of Sadé Lawson, inspired by Black History Month. The unveiling event is free to attend, and more information can be found at instagram.com.
Opening reception for 'Alicia Henry: (un)knowing' at Art Galleries at Black Studies
- Date: February 8, 2024, at 6 p.m.
- Location: Christian-Green Gallery, Art Galleries at Black Studies, University of Texas (201 East 21st St.)
- Description: The Art Galleries at Black Studies is hosting a reception for the opening of "Alicia Henry: (un)knowing." The exhibit includes sculptures and installations that challenge preconceived notions of Blackness. The artist, Alicia Henry, used found materials like dye, acrylic, thread, and linen for her work. The reception is free to attend, and more information can be found at galleriesatut.org.
Exhibition reception for 'Black Girls Don't Wear Red Lipstick' at Austin Public Library
- Date: February 15, 2024, at 6 p.m.
- Location: Austin Public Central Library (710 West Cesar Chavez St.)
- Description: The exhibit "Black Girls Don't Wear Red Lipstick" features photos of Black women wearing shades of red lipstick by Austin photographer Leta Harrison. The exhibit challenges oppressive beauty standards and stereotypes. The reception for the exhibit is free to attend, and more information can be found at library.austintexas.gov.
EASE ON DOWN: Black History Month Market
- Date: February 17, 2024, from noon to 5 p.m.
- Location: Hill Country Galleria (12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave)
- Description: This market provides an opportunity to shop local, small, Black-owned businesses. The event is free to attend, and more information can be found at eventbrite.com.
Black History Month Central Library Celebration
- Date: February 24, 2024, starting at 10:15 a.m.
- Location: Austin Public Library Central Library (710 West Cesar Chavez St.)
- Description: Austin Public Library is hosting a daylong Black History Month celebration with various events, including puppet shows, a spoken word writing workshop, a portrait workshop, and live music. More information can be found at library.austintexas.gov.
Celebrate Black Austin at Kenny Dorham's Backyard
- Date: February 24, 2024, starting at noon and running until 3:30 p.m.
- Location: Kenny Dorham's Backyard (1106 East 11th St.)
- Description: This event begins with a two-hour walking tour of landmarks and street art in Austin's African American Cultural Heritage District. The walk is followed by a market featuring local Black-owned businesses. The event is free to attend, and you can RSVP at eventbrite.com.
Black History Month Kids' Day at George Washington Carver Museum
- Date: February 24, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: George Washington Carver Museum (1165 Angelina St.)
- Description: The Carver Museum is hosting a kids' day with the theme "African Americans and the Arts." The event includes arts and crafts activities. For more information and to RSVP, visit austintexas.gov.
These are the events and exhibitions mentioned in this article. If you need more information or have any other questions, feel free to ask!
