Residents of all ages are invited to participate in the Black History Month celebration at Miami-Dade Public Libraries. Hear renowned storytellers and authors, explore the history of jazz, create your own masterpiece in an arts and crafts workshop or see an exhibition.
Acclaimed author and storyteller Donna Washington will kick off the event with two appearances on Tuesday, February 3, at the Model City Branch, 2211 NW 54 St., at 10:30 a.m., and at the West Kendall Regional, 10201 Hammocks Blvd. at 3:30 p.m. Washington will also visit several other branches later that week. On Thursday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m. join musicians Nicole Yarling, Bossa Nova, Son de Ahora and Oscar Fuentes for a Night of Jazz at the Main Library, 101 W. Flagler Street.
Also performing, at various branches throughout the month, are celebrated storytellers Baba Adekemi Lyons, Madafo Lloyd Wilson and Temujin Ekunfeo, who will mesmerize audiences with stories from Africa and the Caribbean. The Jamaican Folk Revue will share music and tales from the Caribbean, and Jazz artist Nicole Yarling will conduct a series of workshops to explore the history of jazz, tracing its evolution to Hip Hop. The art exhibition series include Color All Around, featuring works from famed children’s book illustrator Adjoa Burrowes, and the Melanin Project, with works by Haitian-born artist Asser Saint Val.
All programs are free and open to the public.
For a full listing of programs visit www.mdpls.org or call 305- 375-BOOK (2665).
Black History Month programs are funded in part by CITI.
Program Listing:
Meet Donna Washington, award-winning storyteller, multicultural folklorist, and author of several books including the Story of Kwanzaa, the Big Spooky House, and a Pride of African Tales.
Tuesday, February 3, 10:30 a.m.
Lemon City Branch, 430 NE 61st St. – 305-757-0662
Tuesday, February, 3, 3:30 pm
West Kendall Branch - 10201 Hammocks Blvd., 305-385-7135
Wednesday, February. 4, 10 a.m.
Fairlawn Branch, 6376 SW 8th St.
Wednesday, February 4, 4 p.m.
North Central Branch - 9590 NW 27 Ave, 305-693-4541
Thursday, February 5, 4 p.m.
West Dade Regional - 9445 Coral Way, 305-553-1134
Hear takes from the African continent with renowned storyteller Baba
Adekemi Lyons.
Tuesday, February, 3, 10 a.m.
Opa Locka Branch, 780 Fisherman St. 305-388-1134
Tuesday, February, 3, 7 p.m.
Golden Glades Branch, 100 N.E. 166 St., 305-787-1544
Saturday, Februaryruary 21, 4 p.m.
Pinecrest Branch, 5835 SW 111 St. 305-688-4571
Saturday, February 28, 2 p.m.
Allapattah Branch, 1799 NW 35th St., 305-638-6086
Parenting Skills 101 with Myra Solomon
Parents, do you want to understand your children better? This session will offer tips on communication and ways to make family time more enjoyable. Learn proper forms of etiquette to share with your children.
Wednesday, February 4, 6 p.m.
North Dade Regional- 2455 NW 183rd St. 305-625-6424
Enjoy a Night of Jazz @ the library with musicians Nicole Yarling, Son de Ahora, Bossa Nova, Oscar Fuentes, and more!
Thursday, February 5, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Main Library – 101 W Flagler St. 305-375-2665
Create your own masterpiece using batik, in this African arts & crafts workshop with artist Brenda Jordan. Registration required. Space limited to 20 participants.
Thursday, February. 5, 10:30 a.m.
Palm Springs North, 17601 NW 78 Ave., 305-820-8564
Saturday, February. 7, 11 a.m.
Miami Beach Regional, 227 22nd St., 305 535-4219
Wednesday, February. 18, 3 p.m.
North Shore Branch, 7501 Collins Ave., 305-864-5392
Wednesday, February. 25, 10 a.m.
Virrick Park Branch, 3255 Plaza St., 305-442-7872
Hear tales from the plantation during this interactive session of Caribbean stories, songs and rhythms with the Jamaican Folk Revue
Saturday, February. 7, 1:30 pm
Coral Reef Branch, 9211 Coral Reef Drive, 305-233-8324
Saturday, February. 21, 10:30 am
Naranja Branch, 27060 S. Dixie Highway, 305-242-7935
Saturday, February. 21, 3 p.m.
Homestead Branch, 700 N Homestead Blvd, 305-246-0168
Compose and They Will Listen: Big Band Jazz Wednesday, February 11, 6 p.m.
North Dade Regional- 2455 NW 183rd St. 305-625-6424
Minding Your Manners with Myra Solomon
Children, 12 and under, will learn everyday etiquette skills for personal success
Thursday, February 12, 3:30 p.m.
North Dade Regional- 2455 NW 183rd St. 305-625-6424
Author Geoffrey Philp shares how his Caribbean roots inspire him to write novels for children. His latest work Grandpa Sydney’s Anancy Stories, draws on the rich oral tradition of Anancy stories that are told and re-told in West Africa, Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Tuesday, February 17, 4 p.m.
California Club Branch, 850 Ives Dairy Rd., 305-770-3155
Wednesday, February, 25, 10 a.m.
Opa Locka Branch, 780 Fisherman St. 305-388-1134
Storyteller Temujin Ekunfeo
With an active repertoire of 200 fables, tales, and parables, Temujin’s stories range from traditional Yoruba to comedian Buddy Hackett. Performing throughout the country since 1968, Temujin shares his craft by means of audience participatory storytelling and experiential “Playshops” for youths and adults.
Thursday, February 19, 11 a.m.
Miami Lakes Branch, 6699 Windmill Gate Rd., 305-822-6520
Wednesday, February 25, 10:30 am
Little River Branch, 160 NE 79th Street, 305-751-8689
Wednesday, February 25, 3 p.m.
South Dade Regional, 10750 SW 211 St., 305-233-8140
Thursday, February 26, 4 p.m.
California Club Branch, 850 Ives Dairy Rd., 305-770-3155
From Jazz to Hip Hop with Artist Nicole Yarling
Words can be used to express love and gratitude. Words can also be used as weapons. Join jazz artist Nicole Yarling and students from Florida Memorial University as they explore the use of words through rap, poetry and song. Aspiring young writers, rappers and poets will be invited to perform their own works.
Monday, February 16, 3:30 p.m.
North Dade Regional- 2455 NW 183rd St. 305-625-6424
Saturday, February 21, 3:30 p.m.
Miami Lakes Branch - 6699 Windmill Gate Rd., 305-822-6520
Monday, February 23, 3:30 p.m.
North Dade Regional- 2455 NW 183rd St. 305-625-6424
The Adventures of Anansi - Puppet Show
Anansi, the trickster, is one of the most important characters of West African and Caribbean folklore. He is a spider, but often acts and appears as a man. Audiences can participate in the performance by using puppets to help tell the tales.
Saturday, February 21, 1 p.m.
Lemon City Branch, 430 NE 61st St. 305-757-0662
Saturday, February 28, 1 p.m.
Coconut Grove Branch, 2875 McFarlane Road, 305-442-8695
(Program made possible by CITI)
Juba This Juba That
Enjoy dramatics, songs and stories in celebration of Black History Month At various branch locations. Visit www.mdpls.org for dates and time.
Art Exhibitions:
Asser Saint-Val: The Melanin Project
Jan 10 – Mar, 23 - North Dade Regional, 2455 NW 183 St. 305-625-6424
Reception and Artist Talk: Thursday, January 22, 6 – 8:30pm
Melanin is the biological pigment that gives human skin and hair its color. Haitian-born artist Asser St. Val, interested in the way science and biology have been used to justify false perceptions about people of color, made a study of "the phenomenon of melanin" and the role it plays in people of all races. St. Val’s findings became a series of paintings, of imaginary embodiments, of this phenomenon--part figurative, part something you'd see under a microscope.
Color All Around: Illustrations by Adjoa J. Burrowes
Jan., 15 – Mar., 31, Main Library, auditorium - 101 W. Flagler St. 305-375-2665
Color All Around features 42 original cut-paper collages from picture books illustrated by artist Adjoa J. Burrowes. Burrowes combines her expertise as graphic designer with skillful use of collage and mixed media. Her colorful illustrations pop with exuberant cut-paper figures, organic shapes, and angular forms. Displays of preliminary drawings, model photos, and editorial comments introduce visitors to the progression of an illustrated story from initial concept to the finished book.
Recent Comments