BLACK HISTORY MONTH | Calendar of events

A partial list of area events to commemorate in February, Black History Month, as submitted to The Vindicator:

MAHONING COUNTY

Today: An evening of amateur-night performances by YSU students, “It’s Showtime at Pete’s Apollo!” will take place from 8 to 10 p.m. in The Hub at Kilcawley Center.

Today: Paul C. Bunn Elementary School will host a “Family Night – Black History Month at Bunn” event at 5 p.m. in the school gym and cafeteria of the school, 1825 Sequoya Drive, Youngstown. There will be performances by the Harambee of Youngstown dance troupe and the reading of African folk tales by storyteller Jocelyn Dabney. Each child in attendance will receive a free African-American history themed book. Light refreshments will be served. Reservations were required by Monday. Call Principal William Baun at 330-744-8963.

Friday: There will be a Black History Month musical showcase with Youngstown’s Total Package Band, male singing group Charisma and Tara Elkin from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Monteen’s, 3807 Belmont Ave., Liberty. The event will be a musical revue of songs by Etta James, Barry White, Marvin Gaye, the O’Jays, Temptations, Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan and more. The event will include line dancing and soul food. Admission is $10.

Sunday: A movie on African-American history is set for 4 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., Youngstown.

Tuesday: Rory Rennick will tell the story of how Henry “Box” Brown escaped slavery by shipping himself to freedom in a wooden crate at 6:30 p.m. at the Youngstown library, 305 Wick Ave. Brown’s tale is based on a book by Ellen Levine. For children.

Feb. 19: A “Celebrating Black History at Williamson” event will take place 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Williamson Elementary School, 58 Williamson Ave. The celebration of Black History Month will include performances by percussionist and motivational speaker Elec Simon, the Williamson Gospel Choir, and special presentations by distinguished Williamson students. Throughout the week, Simon also will work exclusively with students in grades 4 through 6 to enable them to give a special percussion performance at the event. The public is encouraged to attend. For information, call Renee Foerster at 330-744-7155.

Feb. 20: Friends of the East branch library will host a BHM program at 1 p.m. at 430 Early Road. There will be a special presentation, crafts for children and sweet tea, black-eyed peas and sweet potato pie will be served.

Feb. 21: The Rev. Henry McNeil of Elizabeth Baptist Church will speak at 4 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., Youngstown. He will discuss the history and future of the civil-rights movement.

Feb. 23: Youngstown main library, 305 Wick Ave., will celebrate African-American authors, artists and inventors with a family story time, songs and activities at 6:30 p.m. Snack provided. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

Feb. 24: “Black Voices Matter: Race and Gender in the Age of Social Media,” a talk by Angela Burt-Murray, will take place at 2 p.m. in Williamson Hall Auditorium, Room 1171, at YSU. Burt-Murray is the former editor-in-chief of ESSENCE magazine and co-founder of Cocoa Media Group.

Feb. 24: Williamson Elementary School, 58 Williamson Ave., Youngstown, will offer a ”Living History Museum” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fifth- and sixth-graders will participate in the event and welcome special guests and fellow students in kindergarten through fourth grade to travel through the museum and learn more about famous African-Americans in history. The public is encouraged to attend and support the fifth- and sixth-graders who have practiced oral-presentation skills while highlighting important individuals in African-American history. For information, call Renee Foerster at 330-744-7155.

Feb. 25: Each year, Chaney Visual and Performing Arts celebrates Black History Month by focusing on different eras of African-American history and music. Student performers will celebrate the era of the Harlem Renaissance by presenting “A Harlem Renaissance Experience” in a student-body performance at 1:15 p.m. and a public performance at 6 p.m. in the Chaney auditorium, 731 S. Hazelwood Ave. Cost for the public performance is $4 for adults and $3 for students. The event will include vocal and instrumental music, dance and drama. The visual and commercial artwork of VPA students will be displayed throughout the main lobby and in the set design for the performance. For information, call VPA coordinator Tracy Schuler Vivo at 330-744-8830.