News Release
| 1/20/2010
Frazier Museum Celebrates Black History Month
January 20, 2010 (Louisville, Ky.) In February, the Frazier International History Museum celebrates Black History Month with unique programs and performances, as well as a special partnership with the Fund for the Arts and the Kentucky Opera. On Tuesday, February 2, the museum hosts a LIVING HISTORY series performance, “Harvest of Dreams: Voices to Remember” at 7:30 p.m. Nationally-renowned performer and storyteller Ilene Evans presents a stirring performance of classic and contemporary African American poetry, prose, stories and songs, including works by Langston Hughes, Waring Cuney, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Ancella Bickley. Tickets, which can be purchased in advance, are $12 for non-members, $9 for museum members and $5 for students and seniors. Gallery access is included and begins at 6 p.m. Light refreshments are served. On Saturday, February 6 from 1 to 5 p.m., the museum hosts a family discovery day entitled, “A Celebration of African American History.” Visitors will discover some of the many ways the rich diversity of African cultures has forged and enriched the American experience through fun, hands-on activities and engaging performances. Pluck the strings of an African instrument, the predecessor of the Appalachian banjo. Savor samples of foods with African roots. Look back through our country’s history to gain a deeper appreciation for heroes, such as Jackie Robinson, Sojourner Truth and York, the African American member of Lewis & Clark’s Corps of Discovery. All activities are free with museum admission. On Tuesday, February 16, the museum hosts a free lecture, “Pioneers in the Cockpit: The Illustrated History of the Tuskegee Airmen,” at 7 p.m. Ron Spriggs, a speaker with the Kentucky Humanities Council and 2006 recipient of the Tuskegee Airmen’s Outstanding Service Award, presents a one-hour multimedia lecture featuring photographs, video and audio clips. Access to all museum galleries, including the temporary exhibit, WWII: 48 Local Stories That Changed the World, is free and begins at 6 p.m. A reception with light refreshments follows the lecture. While visiting the Frazier Museum in February, see a performance of the new historical interpretation, “Free Frank,” the triumphant story of freed slave Frank McWhorter, who ran a saltpeter mill in early 19th century Kentucky. He was taken to court over a land dispute and won, then moved his family to western Illinois, where he founded his own town. To find out when you can see “Free Frank” or one of 87 other historical interpretations and demonstrations, visit www.fraziermuseum.org for a schedule of daily performances. Additionally, the Frazier Museum is partnering with the Fund for the Arts and the Kentucky Opera to present free happy hour events on February 4 and 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Celebrate Black History Month through song, as Kentucky Opera Studio Artists perform “Oh Freedom!” Tour the rich cultural history of African Americans from pre-slavery to modern times, including the world premiere of a new composition by Harry Pickens based on one of President Barack Obama’s recent speeches. Enjoy Brown-Forman wines, BBC Beer and snacks. Access to all museum galleries begins at 5 p.m., with a brief performance from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. # # # |
|
