For the second event of the Black History Month Blog Hop, Around Town, we are asked to supply a list of events in our area. I have a quite large list of events in and around St. Louis in a Word document. Let me know if you want that emailed to you. It was compiled by Rita and Ron Hill.

If you are not in St. Louis, be sure to look around your area for events. You may be surprised — I certainly was surprised by all the things going on around here.

Be sure to check the other Around Town posts for happenings in other towns and around the internet: Black History Month Blog Hop: Around Town.

I’m selecting from that document and some other sources for the events closest to Kirkwood. These events are either related to black history or to literature by or about African-Americans. Let me know if I’ve missed anything!

Kirkwood Public Library

I don’t know if they are advertising these as Black History Month events, but the film series is exploring jazz this month and the first and last, especially, fit neatly into the theme. On February 7 at 1:30, they will show Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser, a documentary of the jazz pianist’s life. The February 28 film, same time, is Bird, a biopic of Charlie Parker.

CFUH Diversity Book Club
Oddly enough, my book club that almost always reads a book about race in America is, this month, reading a memoir of a Kenyan. That pretty much proves the point I made in the St. Louis Beacon article (Is Black History Month still necessary? The debate continues) — for us, every month is black history month so we don’t make a point of selecting an African American history book in February. Join us anyway! We’ll get back to our normal topic soon.
Unbowed: a memoir by Wangari Muta Maathai
7pm, February 23, Meeting Room, Kirkwood Public Library

Kirkwood United Church of Christ

The Adult Education class will be discussing the book The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander each Sunday in February at 10:45. I was told by the pastor that non-church members are welcome.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

David Mamet’s play Race begins on February 8. Here is Steve’s Take (for those of you outside St. Louis, Steve is Steven Woolf the Artistic Director at The Rep):

Award-winning writer David Mamet explores all sides of taboo conversation in this play. The dialogue spares no punches – it is powerful, provocative and exciting.

Oak Bend Branch of St. Louis County Library

EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Event Type: Book Discussions
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Start Time: 7:30 PM
Library: Oak Bend Branch
Description:
Join the Evening Book Discussion Group for a discussion of “Trouble Don’t Last Always” by Francis Ray. Visitors welcome; open membership. Adults.

Headquarters of St. Louis County Library

ST LOUIS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AFRICAN AMERICAN SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
Event Type: Genealogy Programs
Date: Saturday, February 04, 2012
Start Time: 11:00 AM
Library: Headquarters
Description:
“Maps and Genealogy”

BOOK BITES: “LOCOMOTION” BY JACQUELINE WOODSON
Event Type: Book Discussions
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Library: Headquarters
Description:
Read a really cool book and get together to talk about it. Join us for activities, snacks and discussion of this month’s selection.
Age(s): Children & Families

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRESENTS: AFRICAN DANCE 
Event Type: All Ages
Date: Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Headquarters
Description:
Tiffany Scott and the African American Ensemble will take you on a journey through the rich history and traditions of the people of Africa.
Age(s): Children & Families