10 ways to celebrate Black History Month in the Twin Cities
With Black History Month starting Feb. 1, organizations around the Twin Cities are plotting exciting, thoughtful programming that will take place throughout the month.
Since its origins in 1970 at Kent State University, where the Black United Students organization pushed for the month-long commemoration — it'd be another six years before President Gerald Ford made it a national event — Black History Month has been a moment to celebrate the art, community, and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout the country.
Despite pushback at the federal level, Minnesota's arts community is celebrating the important annual event. Here are 10 ways to observe Black History Month around the Twin Cities.
Every month is a good month to catch a show at the Penumbra Theatre, home of Minnesota's only Black professional theater company. In February, it'll put on "Paradise Blue," a "noir-inflected musical drama" set in Detroit's Paradise Club.
The production of Dominique Morisseau's play is directed by Penumbra founder Lou Bellamy. The theater will host post-play discussions after performances on Feb. 20, 27, and March 6. Feb. 13–March 9 at Penumbra Theatre, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul ($20–$45)
The Sound of Gospel premiered in 2018, highlighting the history of gospel music. It'll continue in 2025 with two nights — Feb. 8 and 9 — at The Fitzgerald Theater.
'It highlights gospel music's historical aspects and how it has been an integral part of the African American experience," says producer and playwright Rev. William Pierce. "The show is celebratory and thought-provoking." It'll be directed by multi-disciplinary artist and performer Javetta Steele, with musical direction from Grammy-winner Billy Steele. Feb. 8–9 at The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St., St. Paul ($30–$80)
The Black Europe Film Festival is making its debut in the Twin Cities starting Jan. 30 with films running through Feb. 2. Most screenings will take place at The Main Cinema, with select events hosted at the Capri Theater, the Mia, and The Cedar Cultural Center.
The festival says it's "built on principles of community co-planning and anti-racist organizing." It will showcase challenging documentaries, feature films, and shorts throughout its run with work that confronts the legacy of racism, colonialism, and displacement in Europe.
Elsewhere, the Twin Cities Film Fest will host the MNmicro Film Festival: Black History on Feb. 4 at the West End Cinema in St. Louis Park. The one-day fest includes five films, each with free admission, created by Minnesota-based filmmakers. Locations and prices vary
Author Shannon Gibney will head to Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis for a reading and discussion of her new children's book, We Miss You, George Floyd.
On Feb. 8, she'll discuss the book that aims to help children work through the events around the murder of George Floyd and "the police violence plaguing our country." The book, illustrated by Leeya Rose Jackson, hopes to be a catalyst for difficult conversations that offers "healing and inspiration for the strength and solidarity we need to build a more peaceful and just future," according to the publisher, University of Minnesota Press. A Kirkus review calls the book "heavy yet cathartic." Feb. 8, 10:30 a.m. at Wild Rumpus Books, 2720 W 43rd St., Minneapolis (free)
In addition to the ongoing exhibition "The True America: Photographs by Ernest Cole," the Minneapolis Institute of Art will host a slate of events celebrating Black History Month.
Here's what the museum has in store in February.
Feb. 2: The Art of Remembering: Black Lives in Painting, a screening of two films as part of the Black Europe Film Festival with directors Salad Hilowle and Fred Kuwornu in conversation
Feb. 16: Leslie Wilson: Is this the America of Ebony ($8–$10)
Feb. 20: A free screening of The Black Power Mixtape 1967–1975 (2011)
Feb. 20: Friends Lecture: Artist Deborah Roberts (free)
Feb. 22: A free screening of 13th (2016)
Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave. S, Minneapolis
The O'Shaughnessy is bringing in a production of "The Sound of (Black) Music," an afrofuturistic take on the well-trod musical. With a score featuring jazz, soul, funk, and other genres, the event celebrates the history of Black Music and its inextricable influence on American pop culture and music.
After its premiere in 2021, the New York Times placed "The Sound of (Black) Music" among its list of the Best New Theater in the country. Feb. 22 at The O'Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul ($7.75–$41.75)
The Landmark Center's History Play performance series is getting an encore production in February. Originally performed in October as part of the annual series, "Little Rock, 1942" will have a one-night-only reprisal.
The series brings trials, court decisions, and other events relevant to Landmark Center's past as the Federal Court Building to life on stage. This play recognizes the story of Susie Morris (later Sue Cowan William), a Black teacher in Little Rock who sued the school district to secure equal pay for Black teachers. With the support of Thurgood Marshall, she won the case in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which was then stationed at the Landmark Center. Feb. 28 at F.K Weyerhaeuser Auditorium at Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St., St. Paul ($11.20)
As part of its "Black History, Black Voices" initiative, the Minnesota Historical Society hosts chef James Johnson of Cooks of Hope for a workshop on the importance of "food preservation and traditions in the African American community," linking the importance of food, history, and community.
The event includes a screening of "The Rice Kingdom" episode of Netflix's High on the Hog. There will also be a cooking demonstration. Feb. 15 at Mill City Museum, 704 S 2nd St., Minneapolis (free)
The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery opened with this permanent exhibit in 2018. It focuses on settlers and pioneers in the 19th century, as well as those who moved to Minnesota from the south during the "Great Migration." Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, 1256 N Penn Ave., Minneapolis (free)
In addition to the Black Europe Film Festival and the MNmicro Film Festival, there are other movie screenings happening around the Twin Cities to celebrate the month. Here's a look at some of the special events taking place, including a series from Marcus Theatres, the Maple Grove Black History Month Film Festival, and other free movie events.
Feb. 4: A Ballerina's Tale (2015) at Maple Grove Community Center (free)
Feb. 5 and 9: Get Out (2017) at Duluth Cinema, Oakdale Cinema, Rochester Cinema, and West End Cinema
Feb. 5: Nope (2022) at Duluth Cinema, Oakdale Cinema, Rochester Cinema, and West End Cinema
Feb. 6: American Fiction (2023) at Capri Theater
Feb. 11: Marshall (2017) at Maple Grove Community Center (free)
Feb. 13: Hidden Figures (2016) at Loring Park Community Arts Center (free)
Feb. 18: Respect (2021) at Maple Grove Community Center (free)
Feb. 19 and 23: Do the Right Thing (1989) at Duluth Cinema, Oakdale Cinema, Rochester Cinema, and West End Cinema
Feb. 19 and 23: Coming to America (1988) at Duluth Cinema, Oakdale Cinema, Rochester Cinema, and West End Cinema
Feb. 22: Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History with Q&A at Historic Fort Snelling (free with regular site admission)
Feb. 25: The Banker (2020) at Maple Grove Community Center (free)
Feb. 26 and March 2: Just Mercy (2019) at Duluth Cinema, Oakdale Cinema, Rochester Cinema, and West End Cinema
Feb. 26 and March 2: Straight Outta Compton (2015) at Duluth Cinema, Oakdale Cinema, Rochester Cinema, and West End Cinema
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