The African American Museum in Philadelphia will officially kick off their Black History Month programming this weekend, and Philadelphians will have all month long to join in on the variety of events being offered at the cultural institution.
Throughout the month of February, the museum will host movie screenings, artist workshops, musical performances and open discussions that celebrate and uplift the African American experience, according to a release.
It all begins this Saturday, Feb. 5, when Ali Richardson, a.k.a. Text Rich Ali, will lead a workshop titled “Learning through the Arts with a Hip-Hop Jazz Musicology.” During the event, participants will explore the social, historical and musical influences on hip-hop music and how it relates to other genres within the African American traditions. Ali’s workshop is part of the museum’s Learning through the Arts series, which the AAMP says is perfect for families with youth ages 12 and up (advanced registration is advised for this workshop)
Also on Feb. 5, the museum will be showing a free virtual screening of the film “Harriet.” The film tells the story of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and how she made an impact in the past, and still this day in the present. The screening will be preceded by a brief presentation, which will provide context for some of the histories depicted in the film about the hero.
The talented musicians from the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts will also be working with the museum this month, and Philadelphians will have two opportunities to catch them virtually. On Sundays, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, the Clef Club will stream live performances from the gallery of the museum’s partner, Art Sanctuary. More information on how to watch can be found online.
Next in line, on Thursday, Feb. 10, AAMP, in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, will offer a free virtual screening of Ava DuVernay’s film “13,” according to a news release. The film explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation’s prisons are disproportionality filled with African Americans.
Thursday the 17th, the African American Museum in Philadelphia in partnership with Harriet’s Bookshop will offer a virtual discussion between author Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts and Dr. Anyabwile Aaron Love, founder and director of the John Coltrane Symposium and owner of Bailey Street Books and assistant professor of history and Black studies at the Community College of Philadelphia — just to name some of his accolades. While there, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts will read from her new book, “Black Joy: A Strategy for Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration.” She will also share how Black joy is a tool for resilience.
Finally, on Saturday, Feb. 19, AAMP will spotlight the work of Gilberto Wilson, a Caribbean printmaker whose work is currently on display at the museum in the exhibition “Di Nada.” According to a release, this hands-on workshop will provide the museum’s youngest visitors with a chance to make art using some of the tools and ideas that inspire Wilson. This event is also part of the museum’s Learning through the Arts series. The event has limited capacity and advance registration is strongly recommended.
For more information about the African American Museum of Philadelphia (701 Arch St.), visit aampmuseum.org.
