The performing and visual arts can bring history to life. During Black History Month, St. Louis is bursting with opportunities to celebrate and learn through movement, music, drama, film, painting and sculpture. (See list, below.)
Some are getting a jump-start by opening Jan. 30. A play presented Friday and Saturday at the Missouri History Museum pays tribute to unsung voices of black St. Louisans. An art show opening Friday at Christ Church Cathedral presents the work of two African-American artists born 60 years apart. And on Friday and Saturday, the Missouri Ballet Theatre stages two performances of “Breaking Boundaries.”
Since 1976, St. Louisans have joined people across the country to celebrate February as Black History Month. Willmetta Toliver-Diallo, an assistant dean of Washington University’s College of Arts and Sciences, emphasized that it’s a time for everyone to find out more about the past and how it relates to the present.
“It isn’t for one particular race, it isn’t for one particular ethnicity, this is American history; it’s part of the American fabric,” Toliver-Diallo said.
Here’s a list of upcoming events, some planned especially for Black History Month, others of interest that happen to fall in February.
Events During Black History Month in St. Louis
‘Shades of Victory and Triumph’ Art Exhibition
Where: 10th Street Gallery, 419 N. 10th St., 63101
When: Now through Feb. 28
How much: Free
Information: 10th Street Gallery website
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‘Two Artists, Two Visions: Our Collective Story’ Art Exhibition Featuring Cbabi Bayoc and Allan Rohan Crite
Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St., 63103
When: Opening reception 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30; runs through Feb. 28
How much: $10 for opening reception, free thereafter
Information: Diocese website
‘Unsung Voices of Black St. Louis’
Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30-31
How much: Free
Information: Missouri History Museum website
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‘Breaking Boundaries’ by Missouri Ballet Theatre
Where: Florissant Civic Center Theater, 1 James J. Eagan Drive, 63033
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30-31
How much: $28
Tickets: City of Florissant website
Information: Missouri Ballet Theatre website
‘Stick Fly’ presented by the Black Rep
Where: Emerson Performance Center, Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103
When: Opens 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4; runs through Feb. 22
How much: $35-$45
Tickets: Vendini Ticket Sales
Information: The Rep website
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'St. Louis Story Stitchers' Teen Artists Presentations
Where: Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103
When: "Perception Isn’t Always Reality," 6-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6; "The Weight of Words," Saturday, Feb. 28
How much: "Perception" is free; "Weight" is ticketed
Information: Kranzberg website
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'Africa World Documentary Festival'
Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112
When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Feb. 6-8
How much: Free
Information: Missouri History Museum website
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TV Host/Author Tavis Smiley Appearance
Where: St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 63131
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
How much: Free
Information: Library website
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‘Continuing the Legacy’ Dance Performance
Where: COCA, 524 Trinity Ave., 63130
When: Noon and 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6; 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
How much: $6-$14
Tickets: COCA website
Information: COCA website
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Artist Nick Cave Appearance
Where: Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, 63110
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12
How much: Sold out except for $5 simulcast tickets
Tickets: Metrotix
Information: Art Museum website calendar
Follow Nancy Fowler on Twitter: @NancyFowlerSTL
