Halifax, here’s 9 exciting ways to celebrate African Heritage Month 2023 | Arts + Culture

As African Heritage Month kicks off this year, you’re in luck: Halifax has no shortage of fun, informative, and dynamic ways to celebrate and spotlight the facets of the Black experience. In particular, the following 9 events caught the attention of Team Coast as they cannot miss Sure Things:

Calypso Celebration (February 2nd)

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is hosting this celebration of Caribbean music in which, as the organizers put it, “Trinidadian-born saxophonist and composer Jesse Ryan joins forces with pianist Eddie Bullen and drummer Garreth Burgess to delve deep into… to delve into the connections between jazz and Afro-Caribbean music.” The free event starts at 7pm, but pre-registration secures your spot.

Performance of Tango With Me (February 6)

Bedford Public Library is showing this Nigerian film, which was nominated for five African Movie Academy Awards in 2011. It tells the story of a perfect couple’s wedding day – which goes off course when a case of mistaken identity escalates. Watch it at 5:30 p.m.

BIPOC Monthly Book Club (February 8th)

Venus Envy and South House have joined forces to offer this closed, registrable book club for BIPOC-identifying bookworms and celebrating BIPOC authors. The first meeting will be at Venus Envy’s Barrington Street location, details and reading list available at registration.

Portia White: A Vibrant Presence Premiere (February 9)

Portia White: A Vibrant Presence, a short film celebrating the life and legacy of the Halifax soprano whose voice set the world aflame, makes its debut at this screening and panel discussion beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the KTS Lecture Hall at the King’s College takes place. The event is free, but registration is required.

George Elliott Clarke Presents: 5 Poets Break into Song (#8) (February 12)

Canada’s seventh Poet Laureate and multi-published author, George Elliott Clarke, reminds us all of the fine line between poetry and song with this showcase that walks it neatly. Here poets Afua Cooper, Amatoritsero Ede, Sylvia Hamilton, El Jones and Monica Mutale read their verse and then local composer Nevawn Patrick shows how he set their poems to music, performed by singer Linda Carvery with pianist Holly Arsenault. Everything takes place at 2 p.m. in the Paul O’Regan Hall of the Halifax Central Library.

Lift Every Voice 8: African Heritage Month Musical Showcase (16 & 23 February)

A bevy of local talent takes to the stage and shines bright at this concert, the African Nova Scotian Music Association’s landmark AHM celebration.

Watch the show on February 16 at 6pm at the Halifax North Memorial Library and February 23 at 6pm at the Halifax Central Library.

The Taurey Butler Trio (February 19)

World-renowned New Jersey-born, Montreal-based jazz pianist Taurey Butler brings his acclaimed three-piece band to Halifax for a heavy swing session. Board at 1:00 PM at Paul O’Regan Hall at Halifax Central Library.

The 7th Annual Halifax Black Film Festival (February 24-28)

This festival closes February on a high note, featuring films by local and international black filmmakers – a total of 70 films from 10 countries. It all begins with a screening of AISHA at the Cineplex Park Lane, a story about a Nigerian newcomer navigating the Irish immigration system, starring Black Panther’s Letitia Wright (February 24, 7pm). More information can be found on the festival’s website.

Girlfriend, Talk About It: The Graduate Work of Toni Morrison & bell hooks (March 9)

Famed author and journalist Evelyn C. White delivers an iconic upon iconic moment as she shares the seminal works and careers of Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize winner in Literature, and Bell Hooks, the black activist and author who shaped much of the discourse of modern feminism has discussed . Starts at 7 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library.