Maplewood Celebrates Black History Month

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - February is Black History Month and there are a plethora of ways the Maplewood community have planned to honor, celebrate and commemorate the rich and proud culture.

Black Women and Unapologetically Black Poetry - CHS
Friday, February 8, 2019 • 7:15 PM - 8:15 PM
Columbia High School, 17 Parker Ave. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Join us at the open mic night at Columbia High School. Students, teachers and members in the community will come share their favorite poetry and original poetry of their own.

ELETA J. CALDWELL Artist Reception
Saturday, February 9, 2019 • 2:00 PM 5:00 PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center , 1978 Springfield Ave. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Eleta Cladwell, a retired principal of Newark Arts High School - The First High School of the arts in the nation- created a body of work which is in the collection of corporations and private individuals. The gallery at Arts High School has been name the Eleta Caldwell Gallery in her honor. Her art has been exhibited on at the Newark Museum, The Studio Museum of Harlem, Jersey City Museum and many other galleries. She unfortunately, passed away on December 13, 2017, but we are proud to present a collection of her work at the 1978 Arts Maplewood Arts Center.

Art & Music Reception
Saturday, February 9, 2019 • 3:00 PM 4:00 PM
Maplewood Memorial Library, 51 Baker St. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Beverly McCutcheon’s Wallflower Portrait collage series is an interpretation of portraits with a twist and a dash of teenage recollections of trying to become invisible by pretending to blend into the surroundings. Each has its own personality and name, and each exude various emotions that are not distracted from by the inclusion of a visible body. Live music will be provided by Vernon Crowe and VMusic. Artist’s talk at 3:20

Kids Speak Out
Saturday, February 9, 2019 • 4:00 PM 5:00 PM
Maplewood Memorial Library , 51 Baker St. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Join us as we celebrate the work of local elementary school students as they speak out about Black History, show off their artwork and read their poetry. Refreshments will be served.

Black History Month Movie Night - "Higher Learning"
Saturday, February 9, 2019 • 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cornbread, 1565 Springfield Ave. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Join us as we dig into a classic, John Singleton's powerful film, Higher Learning. Bring a date and we'll bring the popcorn! We're starting off our first Black History Month Movie Series with a film that will have you ready to ignite change! The movie begins promptly at 8:00 PM. Please arrive earlier if you'd like to order food to enjoy during the feature film.

Celebrate Trayvon Martin's Life and Legacy
Sunday, February 10, 2019 • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Maplewood Senior Center, 106 Burnett Ave. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Please join your friends and neighbors to celebrate the young life of Trayvon Martin a few days after what would have been his 24th birthday. We will have social justice oriented activities, FREE books, crafts and community — as well as pizza and birthday cake.

Sew Your Own Quilt Block
Sunday, February 16, 2019 • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Hilton Branch Library, 1688 Springfield Ave. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• For ages 10-15.. In this workshop led by local sewing expert. Ellen Lumpkin Brown, make a quilt block inspired by the little-known history of the black quilting artists of Gee's Bend, Alabama. Register online right here. or call (973)762-1688.

THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN by Kirsten Childs Saturday, February 16, 2019 - Sunday, February 17, 2019
The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Rd. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• This coming-of-age story shares the challenges of being a young, Black, female artist in the US while at the same time, entertaining you with toe-tapping song and dance. The cast was chosen from open auditions which drew 100's of applicants in NYC, so you get to see the best! Performances are scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm with a talk-back reception from 3:30 pm to 4:15 pm in the Burgdorff Community Room facilitated by the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race for ticket holders that Sunday. Admission $20. Students and Seniors $15.

Jazz in the Loft: Greg Bufford presents a Tribute to Billie Holiday
Sunday, February 17, 2019 • 7:00 PM 9:00 PM
South Orange Performing Arts Center Loft, 1 Sopac Way South Orange, NJ, 07040

• Get your groove on at the Jazz & Blues in the Loft concert series! Hear world-class musicians and vocalists from the region in a cabaret-style setting. Cash bar and snack concessions available. Greg Bufford worked as a professional drummer internationally with such names as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Randy Weston, Freda Payne, Dakota Staton, Leslie Uggams, Steve Nelson, Sonny Stitt, Little Jimmy Scott, Sun Ra, Barney Kessel, Mor Thiam Drums of Fire (father of Akon), Vaughan Mason and Crew (the Prince-Rick James Tour). Tickets are $20. Visit the website or call (973) 313-2787.

Celebrating the Writings of African American Poets
Thursday, February 21, 2019 • 7:30 PM 9:00 PM
DeHart Community Center, 120 Burnett Ave. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Join us as we sit in a circle and take turns reading some of the greatest poems by Black poets, as well as by some of the lesser known writers. Whether you are a poetry lover or not, you are sure to be moved by the thoughts of these historical poets and modern ones. Felicia George, Columbia High School graduate, has graciously agreed to read some of her original poems. This evening is guaranteed to be a thought-provoking, enjoyable experience.

Central Park Five Screening & Panel Discussion
Friday, February 22, 2019 • 7:30 PM 10:30 PM
The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• The Central Park Jogger Case is the famous case that involved the assault and rape of the female jogger Trisha Meili. Five juvenile males were wrongfully convicted of this crime and each spent 6-13 years in prison for it. They were convicted in 1990 by juries in two separate trials. Passionate filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon analyze this case over the years leading up to them releasing their film documentary Central

Panelists for discussion immediately following the film include:

• Filmmaker Sarah Burns
• Kevin Richardson one of the wrongly convicted Central Park 5
• Jennifer Sellitti NJ Office of the Public Defender Director of Training and Communications
• Christina Swarns, President & Attorney-in-Charge, Office of the Appellate Defender (NY); previously Litigation Director for the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.

4th Wall Theatre Presents INTIMATE APPAREL
Friday, February 22, 2019 - Sunday, February 24, 2019
The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Rd. Maplewood, NJ 07040

• New York City, 1905: Esther, a black seamstress, lives in a boarding house for women and sews intimate apparel for clients who range from wealthy white patrons to black prostitutes. Her skills and discretion are much in demand, but Esther longs for a husband and a future. When a long distance relationship leads to heartbreak, Esther must use her gifted hands and her sewing machine to refashion her dreams and make them anew from the whole cloth of her life's experiences. From two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Lynn Nottage, 4th Wall Theater Inc. presents Intimate Apparel, based on the real life of Nottage's great-grandmother. This show is recommended for adults only.
• "A rich, vivid portrait of turn-of-the-last-century New York; a feminist lament of intelligent, talented women defined and controlled by men; a soft-focus glimpse into the beating hearts behind the archives of African-American life a century ago." - New York Times

Great Ancient African Civilizations
Saturday, February 23, 2019 • 11:00 AM 1:00 PM
Maplewood Memorial Library, 51 Baker St. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Through curated film clips, explore ancient African civilizations. Learn about the empires, people and cultures that have made their mark on history. A discussion will follow, facilitated by Tom Puryear, M.S., an enthusiast in ancient African civilizations and the evolution of mankind. With a special performance by the Maria Priadka School of Dance. Presented by Maplewood Library and NAACP Oranges and Maplewood Unit. Free and open to the public.

African Rhythms Drum Circle
Thursday, February 28, 2019 • 4:30 PM 5:30 PM
Hilton Branch Library, 1688 Springfield Ave. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Through a welcoming drum circle discover tempo & rhythms while learning about the role of music in African culture. Discover how the drums are an instrument of self-expression and storytelling while emphasizing teamwork. Presented by Arts Horizon. Space is limited. Please arrive on time. Recommended for ages 8-11

Chef Jesse Jones Talk & Tasting
Thursday, February 28, 2019 • 6:30 PM 8:00 PM
Hilton Branch Library, 1688 Springfield Ave. Maplewood, NJ, 07040

• Maplewood’s favorite Chef Jesse Jones is loved by locals and celebrities alike for his modern approach to southern cooking, taking traditional dishes and making them his own. He’ll share techniques and tips and talk about his recent demo at the famed Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans, followed by a tasting of his inspired Seafood Creole Soup.

For more information, visit the Maplewood Arts and Culture website.

(Photo courtesy of the Maplewood Arts and Culture)

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