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Western Illinois
University To Celebrate Black History And Culture In February
"The Souls of Black Folk" is this
year's theme for Western's celebration of Black History Month.
Throughout February, various events and activities will take place
to celebrate Black history and culture.
The month-long celebration includes several
highlights that are open to the public. Some activities include
a series of public radio programs, a performance by Grammy award-nominated
musician Stefon Harris, a night of comedy with Finesse Mitchell,
a soul food festival, lectures and movies.
WIUM 91.3 FM/WIUW 89.5 FM Tri-States Public
Radio will host a series of special programs to celebrate Black
History Month at WIU. Among the programs is "We Were Here
- Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," which will air in
two parts; the first at noon on Tuesday, Feb 11 and
the second at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Other programs
to air during Black History Month include "Classically Black:
Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier des Saint-Georges," which will
air at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 7; "Meet All Your Fine
Friends: The Dew Drop Inn in New Orleans," which will air
at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16; and "Uncommon Courage:
The Viola Liuzzo Story," which will be broadcast at noon
Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The Bureau of Cultural Affairs, in conjunction
with the College of Fine Arts and Communication, will present
a performance by Grammy-nominated vibraphonist-composer Stefon
Harris at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at Western Hall. Heralded
as "one of the most important young artists in jazz"
by the Los Angeles Times, Harris has been widely lauded by his
peers and jazz critics alike. Tickets are $20, $17 and $13 for
WIU students and $24, $21 and $17 for the public. For more information
call 298-1254.
Comedienne Finesse Mitchell will perform
at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 in the Union Lamoine Room. Mitchell
entered and won his first comedy contest in 1995. Since then he
has appeared on NBC's Late Friday, CBS's The Late Show with Craig
Kilborn and regularly on BET's Comic View. For more information,
call 298-3232.
On Saturday, Feb. 15 the 17th Annual
Soul Food Festival will include a 5:30 p.m. social and
a 6:30 p.m. dinner in the Union Lamoine Room. The menu
will include spicy Jamaican meat patties and old fashioned fruit
Slush for appetizers and sassy jerk chicken with papaya chutney
or bluesey beef short ribs for the entrée. Side dishes include
red beans and rice, jambalaya and corn cobbettes. Guests may have
either peach cobbler or banana pudding with baked meringue for
dessert. Salad, rolls and a beverage of coffee, tea or water will
also be served. Call 298-2220 for more information.
Lectures, discussions and workshops will
also take place throughout Black History Month at WIU. On Feb.
19 at 6:30 p.m. participants can learn "The Importance
of African-American Music and Its Influence on Society" in
the Union Fox Room and "The Art of Tying African Head Wraps"
be the featured topic at the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center
at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26.
The 30th Annual WIU Jazz Festival, featuring
jazz competitions and performances each day by junior high, high
school, and college jazz bands and performances by several guest
artists will take place Thursday, Feb. 13 through Saturday
Feb. 15 in the Union and/or the College of Fine Arts and Communication
Recital Hall. For more information call 298-1505. Admission charged
for most events. Ticket information available at 298-1254.
Other events taking place during Black History
Month at WIU include a lecture at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18
in the Union Heritage Rooms and Cultural Expressions which invites
students to sing, rap or recite poetry at 8:30 p.m. Friday,
Feb. 21 at the Murray Street Cafe in the Union.
For more information about events or activities
contact Belinda Carr, director of the Gwendolyn Brooks
Cultural Center, 298-2220.
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