Oscar-Nominated Film Highlights CCNY Black History Month Events

A February 21 screening of “Beast of the Southern Wild,” which was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, highlights The City College of New York’s celebration of Black History Month 2013. The rich array of cultural events includes nine other film screenings plus concerts, events, lectures, plays and talks.

Other scheduled events include a concert by George Brandon and the Blue Unity Orchestra with the CCNY Gospel Choir, February 28, and Tony Award nominee Calvin Levels as James Baldwin in “James Baldwin: Down from the Mountaintop,” February 14. In addition, the graduate landscape architecture program’s award-winning plan for the Nicodemus National Historic Site will be on display in the J. Max Bond Center on Design for the Just City.  

The City College Black Studies Program, RAP-SI (Black Male Initiative), the Rifkind Center for the Humanities and Arts, the Office of Government and Community Affairs, the Department of Psychology, the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development and the Langston Hughes Festival, in concert with student organizations, have organized the Black History Month events. All are free and open to the public. Event information, organized by category, follows:

Concerts

February 27, Wednesday Night Live: Black History Month Performance. Wednesday Night Live is a new monthly series of live entertainment events on The City College of New York campus. The first event of the spring semester features performances of singing, dancing, stepping and more. 6:30 – 9 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, NAC Ballroom.

February 28, George Brandon and the Blue Unity Orchestra with the CCNY Gospel Choir. The Blue Unity Orchestra promotes the work of African, African-American and Afro-Diaspora composers. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 28, Aronow Theater.

Events

February 5, Frederick Douglass Black Male Initiative Leadership Breakfast. The CCNY Chapter of the Black Male Initiative, along with the Black History Month Student Committee, cordially invite you to have breakfast with us and network. 9 – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 5, Faculty Dining Room.

February 5, Black History Month Kickoff. Join us for a kickoff celebration with free food and music. Learn about the upcoming events for the month. Witness the debut of 30 individuals to be honored. Presented by the Black History Month Student Committee. 12 noon – 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, Hoffman Student Lounge.

February 28, Black History Month Closing. The Black History Month Committee invites students to a gala with sit-down dinner, dancing and more. Semi-formal attire is required. 6 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday, February 28, Hoffman Student Lounge.

Exhibits

January 7 – February 28, “Harlem is…Activism.” Profiles of 30 individuals whose dynamic lives and meaningful work helped define the Harlem community. Aaron Davis Hall lobby.

January 28 – June 7, “Seneca Village: Unearthing a Forgotten Community.” The story of the excavation of the lost Irish and African-American settlement in what is now Central Park. Cohen Library Atrium. Reception 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, February 7, Cohen Library Archives.

February 1- 28, “Portraits of a People: Historical Figures presented by the Black Student Union.” Windows on Amsterdam: CCNY Community Arts Gallery, NAC Plaza near Amsterdam Avenue and 137th Street. Reception, discussion and unveiling of the images 12 noon – 2 p.m. Thursday, February 7.

February 1- 28, “Hip Hop and the New Old School: Works from the House of Art Gallery”. Works by Justin Bua and Dan Ericson. Center for Worker Education, Seventh Floor, 25 Broadway. Reception 6 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 20.

February 4 – 28, “Edge Art: Black-Latino(a) Artists, an Inter-Caribbean Dialogue.”
Works of major Afro-Caribbean artists plus BFA & MFA candidates from the CCNY Department of Art. Featured artists: Daphne Arthur, Clintel Steed, Lawrence Grahm Brown, Leonardo Benzant, Philippe Edner-Marius and Richard-Oliver Marius. Artist talk moderators: Erica Ageyman and Sherman Edmiston. Curator: Tod Roulette. Cohen Library Archives Gallery. Opening reception and artist talk: 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 5. Artist talk: 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 19. Closing reception and artist talk: 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, February 26.

February 4 – March 1, “Finding Common Ground: A Plan for Nicodemus National Historic Site.” The award-winning project on a historic African-American community in western Kansas from the “Parks for the People” competition. Produced by CCNY graduate landscape architecture first-year studio. J. Max Bond Center on Design for the Just City, Spitzer School of Architecture. Opening reception: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Monday, February 4.  

Films

February 7, “Good Hair.” A comedy/documentary, with Chris Rock asking what defines good hair, according to black Americans. 12 noon – 2 p.m. Thursday, February 7, Rifkind Center, Room NAC 6/316.

February 14, “To Sir With Love.” Sidney Poitier as an idealistic engineer-trainee teaching a group of rambunctious white high school students from the slums of London's East End. 12 noon - 2 p.m. Thursday, February 14, Rifkind Center, Room NAC 6/316.

February 19, “Glory Road.” In 1966, Texas Western University coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting lineup for a college basketball team to the NCAA national championship. 12 noon - 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, Rifkind Center, Room NAC 6/316.

February 21, “Beast of the Southern Wild.” Faced with both her hot-tempered father's fading health and melting ice caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love. Nominated for four 2013 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. 12 noon – 2 p.m. Thursday, February 21, Rifkind Center, Room NAC 6/316.

February 28, “Patch of Blue.” A black man befriends a blind, uneducated white girl, and becomes determined to help escape her impoverished and abusive home life. 12 noon – 2 p.m. Thursday, February 28, Rifkind Center, Room NAC 6/316.

“Promise Land.” An inside look at the critical story of land reform and racial reconciliation in the new South Africa. A discussion led by a special guest speaker follows. 12 noon – 2 p.m. Thursday, February 28, Room NAC 1/211.

Screenings of three additional films – “Black and Cuba,” “You are not Alone and “Central Park 5” – are planned, as well. However, date and/or location information is not available at this time.
 
Plays

February 14, “James Baldwin: Down from the Mountaintop.” A one-man play written and performed by Tony Award nominee Calvin Levels depicting the rich and impassioned life of the esteemed novelist, playwright, essayist and civil rights activist James Baldwin. 6 p.m. Thursday, February 14, Theatre B, Aaron Davis Hall.

Lectures and Talks

February 6, Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley Day. Detailed discussion on the life of Bob Marley, his contribution to black communities and the ways in which he influenced and empowered individuals through his music. 12 noon – 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 6. Hoffman Student Lounge.

February 7, Women of Color Textured Hair Event. Please join the Black Student Union for a discussion on different hair types. 6 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 7, NAC Ballroom.

February 13, Malcolm X / Performance. Lecture by Prof. Herb Boyd about the life of Malcolm X, followed by a 30-minute Michael Green performance. 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, NAC Building 1st Floor Lecture Halls.

February 19, Diversity Talk: “Separate but Equal.” A discussion on the varying views of segregation that existed during the civil rights movement. 12 noon – 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, Room NAC 2/212.

February 21, Come Meet the Black Student Union (BSU). Learn about the Black Student Union at its spring informational session for all students who are interested in learning more about this student organization. 12 noon – 2 p.m. Thursday, February 21, location NAC 1/209.

February 26, Hon. Charles Barron. “The Responsibility of Black Men.” New York City Councilmember Charles Barron has been a community activist for 25 years with extensive experience on the local and national levels. 12 noon 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, location TBA.

February 27, Jesús García. Mr. García, director of the Afro-Venezuelan Network, will talk about the current status of Venezuelans of African decent. 5 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, NAC Building 1st Floor Lecture Halls.