Black History Month Events in Los Angeles Areas

Black History Month of 2009 will be extra special thanks to the realization of some of Dr Martin Luther king's Dream as Barack Obama becomes the first African American President in the United States of America. This year's Black History Month events will be celebrated with great realization that the nation has come from so dark a period such as slavery, Jim Crow, and racial segregation, to now when the son of an African and a white woman takes the oath of the highest office in the world. In Los Angeles and throughout towns and cities of America, Black History Month celebrations will be celebrated with hope for a future that is even brighter than what we are witnessing this day. Below are Black History Month events you don't want to miss.

In Los Angeles:

The Imani "Faith" Retreat at Loyola Marymount University. Don't miss this Black history Month event at the campus of LMU which will take place on February 7^th, 2009 from 9:00am to 4:30PM in the Sullivan Lounge of the school.

The theme of this retreat is "An Unwavering Soul: Spiritual Growth in an Era of Change." If you are an academia, this is the place for you to interact with soulful people. For more information visit online at www.lmu.edu/page50966.aspx . The deadline to register for this fun yet spiritual growth event is January 30^th, 2009. There is a whole month calendar of events relating to Black History Month Celebrations so don't hesitate to contact them. Event information can also be gotten from the Office of Black Students Services at 310-338-5808

California's African American Museum:

Located at 600 State Dr., in Los Angeles, 213 744 7432, the Museum will hold several celebrations and activities about the African journey west, and many other themes. Call for more information or visit online at http://www.caamuseum.org

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival's Art Market: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. 3650 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90008

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival's Art Market is a major place to see exhibits of Black fine art and quality crafts from over 100 different artists and artisans. You can find oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture, carvings, jewelry art and clothing. This is the largest film festivals in America and it showcases best of the best in art exhibits of work from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and many more. It is a diverse setting where you can get a free admission to see and perhaps buy your favorite piece of cultural artwork. It will run from February 5^th, to February 16, 2009 from hours of 10AM through 9PM Mondays to Fridays, and 10AM-8PM on Saturdays, 11AM-7PM on Sundays. This Black history Month Celebration is ideal for all people and suitable for children of all ages. You can get more information at http://www.paff.org/artist-market/.

In Santa Clarita Valley:

On February 28^th, 2009, the Black Business Committee will sponsor their third annual Black History Month celebration. Details are not complete but you can check back at http://www.scv-bbc.com/a/Events/ at a later date for full information.

In San Luis Obispo:

Cal Poly Black History Month Events sponsored by the Multicultural center:

Beginning February 4^th, 2009 with Another Type of Groove, where, using his poetry, Spoken Word Artist of the year Prentice Powell will enrich and inspire minds about race and social justice in America, Cal Poly will kick off this year's Black History Month in rhythm and rhymes. This event will commence at 7:30PM and end at about 10:00 PM. The Venue is the Chumash Auditorium on the campus of Cal Poly.

Then on February 6, starting at 7PM and ending at about 9pM, gospel music from local singers and choirs will entertain guests at the Gospelfest at PAC Pavilion. If you are someone who enjoys gospel, then this is your chance to enjoy it in atmosphere of fun and relaxation. This Black History Month event is suitable for older teens and adults who love music and cultural events.

To culminate their many activities planned in the month of February in celebration of black History Month, there will also be an African American Quilters Exhibit and Reception on February 18^th, 2009 at the PAC Lobby. This will take place from 7:30PM through 9:30 PM. This is a chance to experience the colorful and beautiful textures of great quilts from quilt artists such as Denise Campbell and Lavialle Campbell. See what great stories these artists tell of the African American experience through the art of quilt making. More information can be found online at http://studentlife.calpoly.edu/mul/events.asp?dept=mul or call (805) 756-1405.

In Oakland

If you are in the Oakland area, don't miss the 19th Annual African American Celebration through Poetry which will take place on February 7^th, 2009 from

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. the venue is West Oakland Branch Library, located at 1801 Adeline Street, in Oakland. The event offers Free Admission for this celebration of Black History Month. If you are a poet or interesting in becoming one, this is the venue for you. All people of all ages are welcomed to this free event. More information is available at the West Oakland Library; 510-238-7352 or online at www.oaklandlibrary.org

If you are not a poetry person, you can also enjoy the "Let's Talk" event in celebration of Black History Month presented at the African American Museum & Library at Oakland. The address is 659 14^th street, Oakland, California. It is a free event and runs from 2-4PM on February 7^th, 2009. At this event, The African American Museum and Library's chief curator Rick Moss along with special guest will talk about the issues of "The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas." You will need to RSVP to this free event at www.oaklandlibrary.org/aamlo or call 510-637-0200 for more information.

More events in Oakland are:

Family Explorations! African American Rhythms: Oakland by the Bayou

Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak at 10th Street, Oakland

1:00 - 4:30 pm on February 15, 2009. admission is free!

This event is celebrated in style of Louisiana. Come and enjoy music, food and fun activities in the style of Louisiana. Create Carnival masks, beads, and fun crafts to make your day exciting and memorable. Enjoy Mardi Gras as if you were in New Orleans. For mor einformation, call (510) 238-2200 or visit online at www.museumca.org for details. Fun time for the whole family!

African American Quilters of Oakland: Demonstration & Workshop

12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday February 28, 2009.

The venue is West Oakland Branch Library located at 1801 Adeline Street, in Oakland, California

The admission is free. This event celebrates Black History Month via the African American Quilters of Oakland. There will be free demonstration and workshop about quilting. This is a fun time for the whole family who loves arting to come and experience how to quilt. You do not need to bring your own supplies as they will be provided. You can find more information by calling (510) 238-7352 or visiting online at www.oaklandlibrary.org