Posted 11 months ago in Trending, Family Friendly, Arts and Culture
3 MIN READ – The beautiful thing about Black history is that it’s still being made every day. Check out what these Loop businesses and organizations have to offer, and find a way to honor Black History Month this February.
Patron Black art
Enjoy a performance by Ballet 5:8 and see a new dance piece titled Wind by esteemed African American dancer and choreographer, Steve Rooks. Feel the ethereal embrace of an unseen force in Wind. A former dancer at the Martha Graham Dance Company, Rooks draws inspiration from the music of Alfonso Peduto. The music becomes a partner in the piece, weaving a symphony that echoes the delicate dance of leaves in a gentle breeze or the tumultuous roar of a storm. Check out Ballet 5:8's performance schedule here.
Enjoy Black literature
Visit American Writers Museum for their Black History Month Free Family Days. On Sunday, February 18 and Monday, February 19, visitors can enjoy free entry from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. As an ongoing initiative, the museum will also grant free access every third Sunday of the month in February and onwards. General admission includes access to the special exhibit Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice, which delves into the profound impact of black writers from the Civil War through the Civil Rights Era, highlighting their enduring relevance.
In addition to the exhibit, guests can participate in guided tours of Forever Free: A Frederick Douglass Tour. These special tours provide a unique opportunity to learn about the legacy and enduring impact of Frederick Douglass, as well as other influential abolitionists and writers who were inspired by his activism.
As part of the Black History Month programming, the AWM is honored to host journalist and professor Tim Spofford on Tuesday, February 6 at 6 p.m. Spofford will discuss his book What the Children Told Us: The Untold Story of the Famous “Doll Test” and the Black Psychologists Who Changed the World. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Support a Black-owned restaurant
The beloved Chicago Loop vegan eatery, Native Foods, heralds a new chapter as it becomes Black and employee-owned, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of Dame Dia. In September 2023, a significant milestone occurred for Native Foods. Dame Dia, the former Chicago District Manager for the brand, was presented with an extraordinary birthday present: the chance to become the owner of Chicago's last standing Native Foods location. The rejuvenated Native Foods is poised to introduce a captivating mix of traditional vegan recipes and, in the near future, West African cuisine, showcasing Dame’s Senegalese heritage and culinary prowess. These cultural dishes, frequently adapted to vegan preferences for his wife, are expected to infuse the menu with distinctive flavors and will be incorporated later this year. Support Dame Dia's vision and indulge in delicious plant-based foods here.
