During the month of February the Grand Rapids Public Library will hold a series of events exploring African American history and culture. The events will include an art exhibit by local artist Jon McDonald; programs for children and teens; a film festival; and the second annual Taste of Soul Sunday—a sampling of African American art, music, literature, history and food. This year, the events will focus on the musical contributions made by African Americans. The events are funded in part by a grant from the Ryerson Library Foundation and are free and open to the public.
Taste of Soul Sunday is an annual event that features food samples from local restaurants, lectures by local authors and artists, music and children’s activities. Taste of Soul Sunday will be held on February 18 from 1-4 pm at the Main Library. Local musicians Carolyn Quinn (gospel), Dave Humphrey (spirituals), Sweet Willie Singleton (blues and jazz), and Kevin Murphy (R&B) will explore the history of African American’s contribution to music. Dr. Steve Buckridge and Dr. Freddie Lee Johnson will present African American history lectures. Artist Jon McDonald will discuss his artwork inspired by the Blues. Gad Holland will present the history of Idlewild, Michigan and how this community became a hot spot for well-known African American musicians in the 1920s and 30s. There will be African dance lessons with Alethia Smith and children’s arts and crafts projects. Area restaurants Jamaican Dave’s, LoLo’s and Wing Heaven will provide food samples.
During Taste of Soul Sunday local African American families are asked to bring in their oldest and most important family photographs, documents, and artifacts related to Grand Rapids to be scanned and added to the Library’s local history collection and to be included on the Grand Rapids Historical Commission’s website. The first 50 people to bring in their photos will receive a complementary CD of the scanned photos!
On display throughout the Library’s eight locations will be a series of watercolor paintings by local artist Jon McDonald. These paintings were inspired by McDonald’s travels throughout the United States, visiting Blues bars, Blues festivals and the traditional "juke joints" of the American South, investigating the culture that surrounds the Blues. The result of his travels is the exhibition Jon McDonald: The Blues, a series of thirty watercolor paintings that include quiet, formal portraits of Blues artists, casual barside jam sessions, and highly energetic, almost cacophonous depictions of Blues performances in which the music seems to jump from the paintings' surface.
WaZoBia is a family program that includes African drumming, dancing and singing. Artist Sunny Eselekhomhen will lead the two sessions, one on February 3 at the Seymour Branch and one on February 17 at the Yankee Clipper Branch; both take place at 2:00 pm. WaZoBia is a word derived from three different Nigerian languages that means “Come, Come, Come.” The event is free and open to the public.
Sound Check: The Music of our Lives is an interactive music workshop for teens and led by teen musicians Anthony Raglin and Taylor Vaught. The workshop takes place on February 10 at 2:00 pm at the Main Library. Teens will learn about various instruments including guitar, drums, and piano and explore how to write music and lyrics. The event is free and open to the public.
Throughout February there will also be an African American Film Festival. The films include Lady Sings the Blues starring Diana Ross on February 4 at 1:30 pm at the Main Library; A Raisin in the Sun on February 25 at 1:30 pm at the Main Library; and a special presentation of Jubilee Singers: Sacrifice and Glory with a discussion after the film by Dr. Veta Tucker, a professor at Grand Valley State University. The film and discussion will be held on February 22 at 7:00 pm at the Main Library.
Check the February Calendar of Events for times and locations! See you there!
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