Your guide to celebrating Black History Month and Black culture in the Fayetteville area
Beth HutsonBlack History Month is in full swing and there are numerous events in Cumberland County to learn more about Black history or to celebrate Black excellence.
Below are some of the events taking place this month. Did we miss any? Email Beth Hutson at bhutson@fayobserver.com.
'Wings & Roots' art exhibit
Event: Fayetteville Technical Community College's Art Gallery @ The Library will feature more than 30 new collages and mixed media works by Raleigh artist Eric McRay.
When: Artist reception with live music and refreshments from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The exhibit will be featured through March 15. Gallery hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Where: The Art Gallery @ The Library at Fayetteville Technical Community College, 2221 Hull Road, Fayetteville
Cost: Free and open to the public
More information: visitdowntownfayetteville.com/events/legacy-loop-trolley-tour
Black history trolley
Event: Cool Spring Downtown District hosts The Legacy Loop: A History of Black Culture in Fayetteville Trolley Tour this weekend. The educational history tour focuses on Black Fayetteville in the 1970s and is curated in partnership with historian and archivist, Nicholle Young St. Leone, and led by Fayetteville State University Professor Charles Anderson, according to the Cool Springs Downtown District website.
When: Noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: 222 Hay St., Fayetteville
Cost: Tickets are $25 at eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=10007
More information: visitdowntownfayetteville.com/events/legacy-loop-trolley-tour
'Our People'
Event: "Our People: The Black Experience in Contemporary Culture," is an exhibit that "explores traditional, non-traditional, and contemporary interpretations of the influence of Black art, providing a platform for artists across various mediums to contribute to a nuanced and collective understanding of this cultural impact," according to the Arts Council of Fayetteville.
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday; 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays through March 2.
Where: The Arts Center, 301 Hay St., Fayetteville
Cost: Free
More information: wearethearts.com/blackculture
'In the Blood'
Event: "In the Blood," directed by Ayana Washington, is a Suzan-Lori Parks play that puts a modern-day twist on "The Scarlett Letter."
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. Feb. 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. Feb. 18
Where: Gilbert Theater, 116 Green St., Fayetteville
Cost: Tickets range from $13.25-$21.25 at ci.ovationtix.com/36002/production/1176644?performanceId=11346447
More information: gilberttheater.com
100 Professional Black Men
Event: After her successful 100 Professional Black Women in Black event, Tiffany Campbell hosts the 100 Professional Black Men in Black photoshoot.
When: 2-4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Meet up at Segra Stadium, 460 Hay St., Fayetteville
Cost: $5 on Eventbrite, eventbrite.com/e/100-professional-black-men-in-black-tickets-793832312817
More information: facebook.com/events/396077419545584
Fragile Democracy
Event: The sixth annual Lafayette Lecture discusses the struggle over race and voting rights in North Carolina, featuring Dr. James Leloudis of UNC-Chapel Hill and Dr. Robert Korstad of Duke University.
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday
Where: 242 Rudolph Jones Student Center, Fayetteville State University, 1200 Murchison Road, Fayetteville
Cost: Free and open to the public
More information: lafayettesociety.org
Murchison Road's African American History
Event: Fayetteville State University professors Kelli Cardenas-Walsh & Charles Anderson will discuss the legacy of African-American history on Murchison Road.
When: 10 to noon Feb. 17
Where: Local & State History Room at the Cumberland County Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville
Cost: Free
More information: 910-483-7727 extension 1365
Black History Month presentation
Event: The Cumberland County Chapter of Fayetteville State University Alumni hosts a Black History Month presentation with guest speaker Nicholle Young. Refreshments are available.
When: 2-3 p.m. Feb. 17
Where: Bordeaux Branch Library, 3711 Village Drive, Fayetteville
Cost: Free
More information: facebook.com/events/364480509853292
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Event: Lift Every Voice and Sing — A Musical Journey Through Black History is a vocal concert by the Cumberland Choral Arts.
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 17
Where: Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University, 1200 Murchison Road, Fayetteville
Cost: $15 at Eventbrite eventbrite.com/e/lift-every-voice-and-sing-a-musical-journey-through-black-history-tickets-788442120607
More information: cumberlandchoralarts.org/lift-every-voice-concert
Black History Trivia @ Dirtbag
Event: Answer Black history trivia questions with a team or by yourself. The top three winners get a prize.
When: 7 p.m. Feb. 20
Where: Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom, 5435 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills
Cost: Free to play
More information: facebook.com/events/1324117371581100
Orange Street School
Event: The Fayetteville History Museum's Black History Month exhibit for 2024 features Fayetteville's historic Orange Street School. It was one of the first two publicly funded schools for Black children in Fayetteville and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Where: Fayetteville History Museum, 325 Franklin St., Fayetteville
Cost: Free
More information: Call the Fayetteville History Museum at 910-433-1457, 1458 or 1944.
Black History Trivia Night
Event: Black History Month trivia topics range from arts to sports, with a small prize given for first and second place.
When: 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 22
Where: West Regional Library, 7469 Century Circle, Fayetteville
Cost: Free
More information:cumberland.librarycalendar.com/event/black-history-trivia-night-8535
Walker Spivey Elementary School Black History Month Show
Event: A celebration of Black culture filled with performances, speeches and music.
When: 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 23
Where: J.S. Spivey Recreation Center, 500 Fisher St., Fayetteville
Cost: Tickets range from $5-$20 on Eventbrite,
More information: eventbrite.com/e/wses-black-history-month-show-tickets-794990386647
A Celebration of Love
Event: The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra performs a selection of classical music by Black composers and artists
When: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23
Where: Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 1217 Murchison Road, Fayetteville
Cost: Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-18
More information: fb.me/e/4NxU1ofqj
From the Beat of the Drum
Event: A cultural awareness program presented by the Fort Liberty-area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. features live performances and exhibits.
When: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 24
Where: 612 Spring Ave., Spring Lake
Cost: Free
More information: eventbrite.com/e/from-the-beat-of-the-drum-tickets-793870888197
Talking Black in America
Event: A special screening of the documentary "Talking Black in America: Performance Traditions" followed by a discussion and Q&A session.
When: 7:30-10 p.m. Feb. 24charl
Where: Arts Center, 301 Hay St., Fayetteville
Cost: Tickets are $5 at Eventbrite, eventbrite.com/e/talking-black-in-america-performance-traditions-tickets-794672656307
More information: wearethearts.com/blackculture
News director Beth Hutson can be reached at bhutson@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3533.