Fayetteville, NC– Fayetteville celebrates Black History Month with nine different activities across the community.
The Museum of the Cape Fear Historic Complex hosts “Dancing Stories with April C. Turner” on February 4 at 2 p.m. The program explores African dance and stories that affirm the community-building concepts of working together, integrity and perseverance.
“The meanings and uses of the songs and dances are demonstrated in a fun, high-energy, inspiring journey,” says Turner, who also works as a film and TV actress. The audience will have fun when Wolof, a West African language, is introduced to them. “Dancing Stories explores African folklore and demonstrates ways that African stories can bring a community together.”
Turner explores the language of African dance symbols. At the end of the presentation, audience members are invited to participate in playing the instruments as a community. The event is free and open to the public.
More about April C. Turner: www.LifeAsArtProductions.com
More on the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex: MuseumoftheCapeFear.NCDCR.gov or call 910-486-1330.
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County hosts Reflections: African American Life from the Myrna Colley-Lee Collection from February 4 through March 4.
The exhibit features more than 50 pieces from the collection of renowned costume designer and arts patron, Myrna Colley-Lee. It is comprised of paintings, photographs, textile pieces and works on paper. The exhibition is curated to reflect the culture and experiences of African Americans. The imagery in Reflections focuses primarily on narrative works and landscapes of everyday life, past and present.
Myrna Colley-Lee, collector of the works featured in the exhibition, is a leading advocate for the arts, an arts patron, a professional artist and a pioneer costume designer in Black Theatre.
Organized by the International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C., in collaboration with Myrna Colley-Lee, Reflections is on view at the Arts Council Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
Pictures (w/required credit) to promote event
Tweet this: #Reflections, an exhibit from Myrna Colley-Lee Collection & Dancing Stories from @AprilCTurner start #BlackHistory month in @VisitFayNC
Other Black History Month Events:
Ongoing/ The History of Fayetteville State University Exhibition at the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum recognizes the 150th anniversary of Fayetteville State University (FSU). FSU has the distinction of being the second state-supported school in North Carolina and the first state-sponsored institution for the education of African-American teachers in the south. (910) 433-1457
February 4/ All are welcome for a Meet & Greet with Myrna Colley Lee at The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. www.TheArtsCouncil.com
February 6/ The African-American Heritage Bus Tour travels through Fayetteville’s downtown landscape, noting the distinct contributions of African-Americans to Cumberland County. $3. Registration is required. Space is limited. (910) 433-1457
February 21/ Step Afrika!, one of the top 10 African-American dance companies in the United States, offers a performance that blends percussive dance, African traditional dance and influences from a variety of other dance art forms. Fayetteville State University hosts this performance at 7 p.m. Admission is $10. www.FSUArts.com
February 24/ The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County hosts Carole Boston Weatherford. Weatherford shares the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, as told in her new book You Can Fly. 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. www.TheArtsCouncil.com
February 24 to April 7/ Rosenthal Gallery at Fayetteville State University offers An Invitational Exhibition of Women Artists. The works of Sonya Clark are featured, along with other acclaimed women artists of color from across the United States. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. www.FSUArts.com
Anytime/ Tour the African-American Heritage Trail – Cumberland County’s African-American Heritage Trail provides a historical glimpse into the lives of African-Americans who resided in Cumberland County from the Revolutionary War era through the early 20th century. www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com/culturalheritagetrails.
About the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fayetteville/Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com or call 1-800-255-8217.