Campus events mark Black History Month

To celebrate the rich culture and traditions that Black History Month honors, educational, artistic and social events have been scheduled across campus.

Highlights are listed below and are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.

Wednesday, Feb. 3
The Wisconsin Black Student Union hosts the Taboo Series in the Multicultural Student Center lounge on the second floor of the Red Gym. The series invites the campus community to discuss controversial topics with the WBSU.

At 7 p.m. the WBSU addresses respect among different groups on campus, and how to promote a friendlier environment. Information: Gharris3@wisc.edu.

Friday, Feb. 5
Arturo Fernandez is guest artist and presenter at this week’s Friday Forum, sponsored by the Dance Program. Fernandez is a Ballet Master for Alonzo King’s LINES Contemporary Ballet. Fernandez presents at 3:30 p.m. at the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space in Lathrop Hall. LINES will be performed on Saturday, Feb. 6.

Saturday, Feb. 6
WBSU invites the community to join in tutoring children at Family Voices of Wisconsin at 10 a.m. Information: Cedwards2@wisc.edu.

Alonzo King’s LINES Contemporary Ballet Concert showcases the talent of diverse dancers. The show was partially inspired by King’s trip Ethiopia where he served as a consultant to The Festival of a Thousand Stars, an annual celebration of traditional song and dance of the tribes of Southern Ethiopia. The show is at 8 p.m. in the Wisconsin Union Theater. General admission is $18, $33 or $38. UW–Madison tickets are $10 and youth tickets, with purchase of adult ticket, are $12. Tickets are available at the Campus Arts Ticketing Box Office or online.

Monday, Feb. 8
The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority hosts the “Style and Grace Black History Month Program” in Gordon Commons at 7 p.m. Information: Mcwilliams2@wisc.edu.

Tuesday, Feb. 9
The Department of Afro-American Studies is sponsoring “Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men of the South Tell their Tales,” a one-man play designed to promote dialogue about gays, lesbians and homophobia in the black community. Northwestern University professor E. Patrick Johnson performs in the Memorial Union Play Circle at 7:30 p.m. Information: Saadell@wisc.edu.

The Libraries’ “Haiti Past and Present” shows a series of films documenting the history, culture and harsh realities of Haiti. The series features a film each Tuesday of the month and the first Tuesday in March in the Memorial Library Commons. A discussion will follow every showing highlighting the contents of the film as well as the devastation Haiti faces after the January earthquake. The event is expected to last two hours each week.

“Haiti Past and Present” film series shows “Égalité for all: Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian Revolution,” a 2009 documentary about the Haitian revolution and one of its leaders, ex-slave General Toussaint Louverture. Watch the film at 4 p.m. in Memorial Library Commons. Information: Engo@library.wisc.edu.

Wednesday, Feb. 10
The “Passed But Still Present: Icons of Black History” exhibit begins and will be displayed until Thursday, March 11. The exhibit features drawings by Odyssey Project founder Stanley Sallay. The drawings portray deceased figures who were influential in black history and are showcased in the Health Sciences Learning Center all day during the one month period. Information: Eauerbach@dcs.wisc.edu.

The Wisconsin Union hosts the Distinguished Lecture Series. Musician, lyricist, actor and political activist Derrick Ashong speaks about engaging today’s youth to put meaning back into music. Free tickets will be available at the Union Theater Box Office on the Monday of the full week prior to the lecture. Information: Lectureseries@union.wisc.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 11
The WBSU discusses body image at its Taboo Series at 7 p.m. in the MSC lounge. Information: Clongmire@wisc.edu.

Friday, Feb. 12                                                                               “Just Bust!” is a monthly open mic night sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives. The event, sponsored by will take place at 9 p.m. in the Main Lounge of the Memorial Union. Information: Cawalker2@education.wisc.edu.

Saturday, Feb. 13
WBSU invites the community to join in tutoring children at Family Voices of Wisconsin at 10 a.m. Information: Cedwards2@wisc.edu.

Monday, Feb. 15
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority hosts a lecture about issues in the black community at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Play Circle. Information: Chesir@wisc.edu.

Tuesday, Feb. 16
“Haiti Past and Present” film series shows “Aristide and the Endless Revolution,” a 2005 documentary about the former president of Haiti and the corruption under his administration. Watch at 4 p.m. in the Memorial Library Commons. Information: Engo@library.wisc.edu

Friday, Feb. 19
Christopher Walker, assistant professor in the Dance Program, colleagues and acclaimed black student artists showcase the Moonshine ritual at the Friday Forum in the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space at 3:30 p.m. The Moonshine ritual traditionally takes place under the full moon where people share stories through song, dance, poetry and rhythms. The performance will include African and African-Caribbean dance, hip-hop, spoken word, poetry, drumming, singing and more. Information: Dadamany@education.wisc.edu.

Saturday, Feb. 20
WBSU invites the community to join in tutoring children at Family Voices of Wisconsin at 10 a.m. Information: Cedwards2@wisc.edu.

Tuesday, Feb. 23
The WBSU holds a general student body meeting at 7 p.m. in the MSC Lounge. Information: Gbeard@wisc.edu.

“Haiti Past and Present” film series shows “Profit and Nothing But,” a 2001 documentary about capitalism and the profit motive in Haiti. Watch it in the Memorial Library Commons at 4 p.m. Information: Engo@library.wisc.edu.

Wednesday, Feb. 24
The WBSU addresses its issue of the semester — the criminal justice system and its effects on the black community — in the MSC lounge at 7 p.m. Information: Gbeard@wisc.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 25
The WBSU discusses homophobia as part of its Taboo Series in the MSC lounge at 7 p.m. Information: Clongmire@wisc.edu.

Friday, Feb. 26
The WBSU holds the “Black Men’s Forum” at 6 p.m. in Ogg Hall to discuss the realities of being a black man. Information: Gbeard@wisc.edu.

The WBSU sponsors the “Throwback Party” featuring ‘80s and ‘90s music in Tripp Commons at 9 p.m. Information: Gbeard@wisc.edu.

Saturday, Feb. 27
WBSU invites the community to join in tutoring children at Family Voices of Wisconsin at 10 a.m. Information: Cedwards2@wisc.edu.

Sunday, Feb. 28
The WBSU sponsors the “Black History Experience Program-Celebrating Black History through the Arts” at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Play Circle. Information: Gbeard@wisc.edu.

Tuesday, March 2
“Haiti Past and Present” film series shows “Port-au Prince is Mine,” a 2000 documentary about overpopulation, lack of urban infrastructure and environmental degradation in Port-au Prince, Haiti. Watch it at 4 p.m. in the Memorial Library Commons. Information: Engo@library.wisc.edu.