RICH PAST SUNG OUT LOUD

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY: Find a listing of events in Hamilton commemorating the special month

February is Black History Month and locally, the official kickoff was Friday at City Hall.

Here are some of the events happening here to mark the month:

Feb. 6: Artist and writers programs for Black History Month, graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat — Learn about famous writers and artists for Black History Month. Drop in, Central Library, 55 York Blvd., second-floor programming room, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 6: Know your rights — A free bilingual event focusing on access to justice for the black community. Topics will include housing law, mental health law, human rights, criminal law and police complaints and more. Everyone welcome. Central Library, 55 York Blvd., 5 to 8 p.m. More information: www.facebook.com/ events/136873313773996/

Feb.7: Book explorers — Learn about the Underground Railroad by exploring books through activities and games. Ages 4 to 8. Registration required: 905-546-3415, Concession branch, 565 Concession St., 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 9: Launch of the Coalition of Black and Racialized Artists (COBRA) — February’s Art Crawl will feature the launch of COBRA, a Hamilton-based collective of artists of colour. The group says “artists of colour are under-represented, both at the grassroots and administrative levels” and they seek to “offer our perspective as the Hamilton Arts Community begins making strides toward a more complete understanding of the city’s underserved artistic scenes.” AGH Design Annex, 118 James St. N., 6 to 10 p.m.

Feb.10: John C. Holland Awards — The Hamilton Black History Committee is presenting the 22nd awards, in association with TD Canada Trust. The awards were started to recognize the contributions of African Canadians to the social, cultural and political life of the city. LiUNA Station, 360 James St. N., 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. More information: http://www.johnhollandawards.com

Feb. 13: Soul Sounds of Solidarity: One Soul, Many Hearts — Led by poets, Kelsey Knight and Klyde Broox, voices will stitch “a quilt of solidarity, art of collaborative energies united in peace, sharing soul vibes of unity with poetic versatility.” Central Library, 55 York Blvd., 4th floor, 2 p.m. Dropin.

Feb. 13: Black History Month: Peace Wreath and Dove — Help create a peace wreath and dove in honour of Black History Month. Ages 4 to12. Registration required: 905-546-3921. Terryberry branch, 100 Mohawk Rd. W., 4 p.m.

Feb. 15: Journey from Tollgate to Parkway: African Canadians in Hamilton — Author Adrienne Shadd presents her original research, offering new insights into urban black history. Shadd also explodes stereotypes, such as the lowincome, uneducated early black Hamiltonians. Registration required: 905-546-4790. Turner Park branch, 352 Rymal Rd. E., 7 p.m.

Feb. 16: Jackie Washington Day — Enjoy a tribute to beloved Hamiltonian Jackie Washington with Sharon Musgrave, the Stewart Memorial Church Choir and others. Following the tribute, there will be a screening of “Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave” (Washington plays a role). The event is presented by Hamilton Arts & Letters Magazine and the Hamilton Public Library. Central Library, 55 York Blvd., first floor Hamilton Room, 12 p.m. Drop-in.

Feb. 16: “Honour Before Glory” — Griffin House National Historic Site presents the one-hour docudrama about Canada’s only allblack military battalion formed during the First World War. The free event commemorates Black History Month and the 100th anniversary of the war. Ancaster Old Town Hall, 310 Wilson St. E., 7 to 8:30 p.m. More information: call 905-546-4848, email griffinhouse@hamilton.ca or visit www.hamilton.ca/griffin

Feb. 23: The Waleed Kush African Jazz Ensemble — The ensemble “combines the ancient rhythms of Africa with the jazz harmonies of modern times.” The group returns for Black History Month at the Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., 8 p.m., $15.

Feb. 24: Gospel Explosion with Marvia Providence — The Afro Canadian Caribbean Association hosts Gospel Explosion (Black History Project) with the Caribbean Queen of Gospel. Money raised will go toward youth programming. Afro-Canadian Banquet Hall, 754 Barton St. E., 7 to 11 p.m., doors open 6 p.m. Tickets $25 or $30 at the door. Call 905-385-0925, email acca1979@gmail.com or visit www.accahamilton.com

Corine Diverlus conducts the McMaster University Gospel Choir during the launch of Black History Month in the council chambers at City Hall Friday before about 80 people. The event featured speakers, poets, singers and tributes to Viola Desmond and...

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN RENNISON, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Marlene Thomas, co-chair of Hamilton Black History Committee, welcomes everyone to the launch.

Reggae/soca singer Kenny C sings Bob Marley’s “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.”

PHOTOS BY JOHN RENNISON, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Left: Dub poet Clyde Brooks is watched by about 80 people as he presents an animated rendition of the poem “Colour Stigma” at the official launch of Black History Month at City Hall on Friday.

Above:Selena Joseph and Isis Seaton, right, perform a Jamaican dance at City Hall. Left: Leo Johnson and Mike Ray (unseen) close the ceremony at the launch of Black History Month.

Above: Dorian Odusanya of Barrie talks at the City Hall event about his ancestor Viola Desmond, who helped fuel the modern civil rights movement.