Honoring Black History Month around St. Louis
St. Louis Public Library
St. Louis Public Library branches will host a variety of events, such as a scavenger hunt of murals by local artist Cbabi Bayoc at the Carpenter library, a beaded name chain workshop at the Walnut Park branch, a Black film series at Buder library and a free performance by the Black Rep at Central Library. Find more events at slpl.bibliocommons.com/events.
St. Louis County Library
Black History Month activities include themed scavenger hunts and interactive displays at library branches, chances to create an African ceremonial mask and African unity bracelets, a Black history magic show based on the life of George Washington Carver, and a Zoom presentation about the Little Rock Nine by National Park rangers. Find events at slcl.org/events.
Missouri History Museum
The Missouri History Museum (5700 Lindell Boulevard, Forest Park) presents a series of free events throughout February. For more details, visit mohistory.org/events.
Storytelling at the Museum • Storytelling for children addresses the themes of Black Missourians, “under the sea” and Black migration. (10:30-11 a.m. Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17)
An Evening With Bishop Dean Johnson • The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri talks about growing up in Barbados, immigrating to the United States as a teenager and navigating his sexuality. He is the first Black, openly gay bishop in the diocese. The evening starts with a happy hour with food and drinks available for purchase. (5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 16)
Race: Listen. Learn. Live. • Kelly Jackson and Brent Solomon of KSDK (Channel 5) will moderate a panel discussion about experiences and perspectives on race. (5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 23)
Black Resistance: Extraordinary Black Missourians • John A. Wright Jr., author of “Extraordinary Black Missourians,” takes a deep dive into the history of Black resistance in St. Louis and Missouri and will sign copies of his book. (11 a.m. Feb. 28)
Victory at War and at Home: Civil Rights Activism in World War II
When 11 a.m. Feb. 24 • Where Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, 1315 Chestnut Street • How much Free • More info mohistory.org/events
Dr. David Lucander, author of “Winning the War for Democracy: The March on Washington Movement, 1941-1946,” will discuss Black American activism during World War II, with a focus on St. Louis.
‘Lift Every Voice: A Black History Month Celebration’
When 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 • Where Powell Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard • How much $28 • More info slso.org
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and In Unison Chorus will honor music of African American and African traditions with “Lift Every Voice: A Black History Month Celebration” at Powell Hall. The chorus is led by Kevin McBeth, with featured vocals by Kennedy Holmes.
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
When Feb. 28-March 12; performance times vary • Where Fox Theater, 527 North Grand Boulevard • How much $29-$125 • More info metrotix.com
Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas plays Atticus Finch in the national tour of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
‘Confederates’
When Feb. 17-March 5 (preview performances Feb. 11-16); performance times vary • Where Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves • How much $23-$92 • More info repstl.org
An enslaved rebel-turned-Union spy and a tenured professor in a modern-day private university, living more than a century apart, have parallel experiences of institutionalized racism in this play by MacArthur “Genius Grant”-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau. Elizabeth Carter directs this Repertory Theatre of St. Louis production.
Ranger Talk: Ulysses S. Grant and Frederick Douglass
When 10-11 a.m. Feb. 18 • Where Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Road, St. Louis County • How much Free; reservations recommended • More info nps.gov/ulsg/index.htm; 314-842-1867, ext. 230
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site historian Nick Sacco discusses the relationship between President Grant and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The Sheldon Celebrates Black History Month
When Through February; exhibitions on view through May 6 • Where Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries, 3648 Washington Boulevard • How much Prices vary • More info metrotix.com
The Sheldon celebrates Black History Month with programming that includes an evening of music presented with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, “Our Song, Our Story (8 p.m. Feb. 4), and a multimedia event, “Voices of Mississippi” (8 p.m. Feb. 10). From Feb. 10 to May 6, the galleries will feature works by Tennessee photographer and artist Bill Steber, who will give a presentation and performance (7 p.m. May 4); artist Alayna N. Pernell will present a free gallery talk (11 a.m. Feb. 10) in conjunction with “Our Mothers’ Gardens”; and Patrick Earl Hammie examines the TV show “Soul Train” and 19th- and early 20th-century lynching photographs in “I Am … the Night.” Education concerts ($4.50 per student in person; free as livestream for traditional and homeschools) include “Jazz Story” (10:30 a.m. Feb. 14) and “Drums and Dances of Africa” (Feb. 15-17).