Black History Month Events in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis & St. Paul) in 2006

Black History Month events abound in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Listed below are seven outstanding performances you won't want to miss.

I've separated them by category, from awe-inspiring non-typical events (including "Live Historic Performances": reenactments of a woman and her husband who helped free an enslaved African-American woman; "Library Events": meet one of the famed Tuskagee Airmen from WWII; and "African Americans in Science": meet some Twin City educators, inventors and scientists) to spectacular traditional events (including "Theater/Plays," "Choral Music," and "Choral Ballet").

Live Historic Black History Performances:

EMILY GOODRIDGE GREY, HISTORY PLAYER
Where: Minnesota Historical Society's
Mill City Museum
704 South Second Street
Minneapolis, MN
Phone: 612-341-7555
Dates: Feb. 4, 11, 16, 18, & 25
Time: Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday (Feb. 16) 6 to 9 p.m.
Fee: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and college students; $4 for children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MHS members.

Celebrate Black History month by visiting the Mill City Museum Saturdays in February. Meet History Player Emily Goodridge Grey, one of St. Anthony's earliest African-American settlers. In 1860, Emily and her husband, Ralph Toyer Grey, played a key role in freeing an enslaved African-American woman named Eliza Winston. Performances will take place throughout the day in the Mill City Museum exhibit gallery and will focus on the life of Emily Goodridge Grey, her years spent in St. Anthony and larger themes of slavery and diversity. This live performance is a family event. For more details, go to http://events.mnhs.org/calendar/Index.cfm?VenueID=41

Library Black History Events:

MEET JOSEPH P. GOMER, WWII TUSKAGEE AIRMAN
Where: Dakota County Library
Galaxie Library
14955 Galaxie Ave.
Apple Valley, MN
Phone: 952-891-7045
Date: Tues., Feb. 14
Time: 7:00 p.m.
FREE!

Celebrate Black History Month by meeting Duluthian Joseph P. Gomer, one of the famed Tuskagee Airmen, who flew 68 sorties in Europe as a bomber escort pilot in World War II. During the war, Gomer fought two battles-the Germans in the air and racism on the ground. Experience living history!" To learn more, go to
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/library/events/results.asp?series=Minnesota+Mosaic

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN SCIENCE
Where: Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W. Kellogg Boulevard
(On Kellogg Blvd. across the street from the Xcel Energy Center)
St. Paul, MN
Phone: 651-221-9444
Date: Sat., Feb. 11
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Call (651) 221-9444 for reservations, rates and information

At this annual event you will meet some of the best and brightest scientists, inventors, and educators from the Twin Cities' African American community. For more details, go to http://www.smm.org/sciencefusion/

Theater/Plays during Black History Month:

"THE STORY OF HOPE"
SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development
Where: Weyerhauser Auditorium, in the Landmark Center
75 West 5th St.
St. Paul, MN
Dates: Feb. 3 through Feb. 26
Times: For specific times and dates, or more details, go tohttp://www.steppingstonetheatre.org/2006_season/hope.htm
Individual tickets $9.00; group rates available.
Reservations: Call 651-225-9265

Celebrate Black History Month with this inspirational "Story of Hope." Based on the book by actress and storyteller Isabell Monk, this play asks the question "what is it like to be of mixed race?" Follow Hope and Jacqui's journey along the branches of their family tree, through their family history and the history of our nation. On this journey Jacqui gives Hope insight into who she is and how her name speaks of a positive future. "I am generations of faith mixed with lots of love! I AM HOPE!"

AND

Theater/Plays during Black History Month:

"ROSA PARKS - MORE THAN A BUS STORY"
Where: The O'Shaughnessy at the College of St. Catherine
2004 Randolph Ave.
St. Paul, MN
Date: Fri., Feb. 24
Time: 7:30 p.m.

("Rosa Parks - More Than A Bus Story," the only authorized stage drama of the life of the civil rights pioneer, is brought to the stage by the National Black Touring Circuit.)

This play reveals why Rosa Parks, the mother of the American Civil Rights Movement, refused to move from her bus seat in 1955, why she left the city she loved, and her life after leaving Montgomery and moving to Detroit. It highlights her faith in God, the music she loved and the memories that kept her strong.

Tickets: $22. For tickets, contact the box office in person or call (651) 690-6700. Tickets also available through TicketMaster, (651) 989-5151 or visit ticketmaster.com to print out tickets. All tickets will incur a $1 restoration fee added at time of purchase. Ordering over the phone through the O'Shaughnessy will be an extra $5.) See St. Catherine's website for more details or to order tickets: http://www.stkate.edu/oshaughnessy/box.html

Choral Music during Black History Month:

TWIN CITIES COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR
Where: The O'Shaughnessy, at the College of St. Catherine
2004 Randolph Ave.
St. Paul, MN
Date: Sunday, Feb. 19
Time: 5 p.m.

Robert Robinson and the Twin Cities Community Gospel will be returning to the stage bringing over 100 voices to present a soulfully inspired and energetic Old Tyme Gospel concert. The concert will celebrate the rich traditions of African American gospel music as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History month.

Tickets: $20 adult, $12 child (14 and under), $15 for seniors. For tickets, contact the box office in person or call (651) 690-6700. Tickets also available through TicketMaster, (651) 989-5151 or visit ticketmaster.com to print out tickets. All tickets will incur a $1 restoration fee added at time of purchase. Ordering over the phone through the O'Shaughnessy will be an extra $5.) See St. Catherine's website for more details or to order tickets: http://www.stkate.edu/oshaughnessy/box.html

Choral Ballet during Black History Month:

"WITNESS" - SOJOURNER TRUTH'S STORY, with the VocalEssence Chorus
Where: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
345 Washington Street
Saint Paul, MN
651-224-4222
Date: Sunday, February 19
Time: 4 p.m.

(World premiere of Sojourner Truth's story in dance, music, and words featuring choreography by Uri Sands and music performed by the VocalEssence Chorus. Plus special guests, the famous Fisk Jubliee Singers.)

Each season VocalEssence explores music composed by African Americans in a concert called WITNESS. This year, WITNESS features a major commission: Truth, a 25-minute choral ballet based on the story of Sojourner Truth. She was born into slavery in 1797 but when freed became a passionate preacher and orator, advocating for black freedom, women's rights and temperance in the years leading up to the Civil War. Atlanta-based composer Alvin Singleton is writing the music in collaboration with librettist Carman Moore. Choreographers Uri Sands and Toni Pierce-Sands are designing the ballet for eight dancers, the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and an ensemble of ten instrumentalists. The program will also focus on best-loved early American spirituals performed by the VocalEssence Chorus.

Ticket Prices: $35.00, $27.00, $20.00
Student Ticket Prices: $17.50, $13.50, $10.00
For more details, go to http://www.ordway.org/season/05_06planetO/06_planet_index.cfm