Culture PickFebruary is flying by, but the spotlight on Black History can and should continue beyond this month. Here at LA Weekly we strive to highlight Black expression, art, entertainment and more all year long. Still, as we look forward, this weekend provides a big opportunity to learn, to remember and to celebrate African-American culture and its many beautiful contributions to the world, as well as acknowledge the struggles of the community past and present. Here are some truly inspiring and fun events that should cover it all.

See more Black History events in our Art Calendar.

Highways Black History Month fundraiser events continue with Njeri NJuhiju’s “When Seasons Change, “ a new play he wrote and directs on Fri., Feb 24. The next night, New York Times Best-selling author Antwone Fisher (and subject of a film about his life) debuts his new stage project. The Award-winning screenwriter’s new work is reportedly a “retrospective and fresh reflection” and it promises to be powerful in both ways. Guest Courtney Glaude, director of The Reading, with also be part of the presentation. Sat., Feb. 25; 1651 18th St. St. Santa Monica. highwaysperformance.org/shows 

Black farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs will be on hand at the Prosperity Market pop-up at CAAM (California African-American Museum), selling with fresh fruits and vegetables, authentic prepared foods and cool crafts. A DJ will provide festive sounds and other activations such as cooking demonstrations, a kid’s corner, sound baths, yoga– via Sol & Sound (bring a yoga mat for the “60-minute flow” with teacher Constance Hartwell). Sat., Feb. 25; 600 State Dr. Exposition Park. caamuseum.org/programs/talks-and-workshops/black-history-month-prosperity-market-caam

Forest Lawn’s Black History Month event is free and family-friendly gathering with a community resource fair and reception spotlighting music, dance, poetry, and spoken word,  including a performance by Michael Ellington from the opera Omar. African American quilter Sidney Hurd and keynote speaker Dr. Stephany Powell, will also be discussing Black culture and history from artistic and academic perspective. Light refreshments follow. Sat. Feb. 25; inside the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive. forestlawn.com/all-events/

The Museum of Latin American Art hosts the Afro-Latinx Festival onsite, amplifying the cultural diversity and African influence in Latin America and the mix of these cultures here in America. The significance of African influences in Latin America are many:  food, art, and music being the biggest. The event will offer workshops, live performances (including Contra Mestre Corpo Fechado with CDFC Capoeira, Nadia Calmet Afro Peruvian Experience Dance Company, a canvas creation by artist Jose Angel Castro (pictured above) with dancer Sean Simon, and much more. Sun., Feb. 26; 628 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach. molaa.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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