The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation is honoring Black History Month with a new exhibit available throughout February.
Titled “The NYC Parks Renaming Project: Celebrating Black Leaders,” the installation displays 28 parks spaces whose names have been changed to celebrate prominent Black figures. These figures include Ella Fitzgerald, Malcolm X and Gil-Scott Heron amongst others. The exhibit features modern and archival photos of the spaces, such as the newly named Ella Fitzgerald Playground in Queens, as well as background information on the lives they’re honoring.
The event is being held at Central Park’s Arsenal Gallery and is free to attend.
Here are five other free to affordable events to attend during Black History Month:
The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure (NYC): Harlem’s National Jazz Museum is hosting an exhibit all about jazz. Created by Disney, the installation teaches attendees about the genre’s history using characters from the hit movie “Soul.” With help from Joe Gardner, the main character of the film, the birth of jazz all the way up to modern-day jazz is discussed. Attendees can also see instruments from popular artists that developed the genre such as Louis Armstrong’s trumpet. The National Jazz Museum has also lent Duke Ellington’s Grand Piano and vintage Victrola to be displayed.
The exhibit comes to Harlem where the genre of music thrived on Feb. 10.
The cost of admission is based on donations.
Black & Proud | Art Show (Atlanta): BrightRing Foundation, a non-profit organization, is presenting an art show for Black History Month. The exhibit displays drawings and paintings created by local artists based in Atlanta. Through their art, these artists have traced and expressed Black history and culture. The event is free and will provide food as well as the chance to win art.
For $15, attendees can go to a party held after and see rapper Akeem Ali perform.
The show will be held at the newly opened Atlantucky Brewery on Feb. 19 at 5 p.m.
The Cascade Festival of African Films (Portland): From Feb. 4 to March 5, films created by African directors will be screened both in-person and virtually. Through these movies and conversations with filmmakers, attendees can learn about the past, present and future of Africa.
Although many of the events will be screened virtually, “ Linqui Sacred Bonds” will be shown at the Hollywood Theater on Feb. 18th at 7 p.m. EST. At Clinton St. Theater, “Night of Kings” will be shown on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. EST. and “Min Alesh” will be shown on March 5 at 7 p.m. EST. The screenings are all free.
Ayanah Moor: I Wish I Could Be You More Often (Chicago): Hosted by the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, the exhibit features work by Ayanah Moor. Moor’s work uses historic relics to create a different depiction of histories. Inspired by old advertisements and slogans, she explores what it means to be Black alongside gender, love and myths. Moor uses different mediums to express herself such as drawings, paintings and shows.
The exhibit will run for a full two months from Feb. 10 to April 10.
Moor herself will be at the museum on Feb. 17. The exhibition is free to attend.
On the Shoulders of Giants: Celebrating Black History Month (Detroit): On Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, the Detroit Historical Society will be commemorating the Black business owners that have greatly impacted and made Detroit into the city it is today. The event will follow the business scene all the way from the beginning when freedom seekers made their way to the city.
Attendees will be able to shop from local Black-owned businesses, explore the other exhibits such as “Doorway to Freedom” and join in on the kids art event inspired by Paradise Valley.
Admission to the event is free.
