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St. Louis Marks Black History Month With Art

The performing and visual arts can bring history to life. During Black History Month, St. Louis is bursting with opportunities to celebrate and learn through movement, music, drama, film, painting and sculpture. (See list, below.)

Some are getting a jump-start by opening Jan. 30. A play presented Friday and Saturday at the Missouri History Museum pays tribute to unsung voices of black St. Louisans. An art show opening Friday at Christ Church Cathedral presents the work of two African-American artists born 60 years apart. And on Friday and Saturday,the Missouri Ballet Theatre stages two performances of “Breaking Boundaries.”

Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo
Credit WUSTL
Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo

Since 1976, St. Louisans have joined people across the country to celebrate February as Black History Month. Willmetta Toliver-Diallo, an assistant dean of Washington University’s College of Arts and Sciences, emphasized that it’s a time for everyone to find out more about the past and how it relates to the present.

“It isn’t for one particular race, it isn’t for one particular ethnicity, this is American history; it’s part of the American fabric,” Toliver-Diallo said.

Here’s a list of upcoming events, some planned especially for Black History Month, others of interest that happen to fall in February.

Events During Black History Month in St. Louis

Making of A Champion Lewis Hamilton by Ron Young
Credit Provided by 10th Street Gallery
Making of A Champion Lewis Hamilton by Ron Young

‘Shades of Victory and Triumph’ Art Exhibition

Where: 10th Street Gallery, 419 N. 10th St., 63101

When: Now through Feb. 28

How much: Free

Information: 10th Street Gallery website

Cbabi Bayoc
Credit Provided by the artist
Cbabi Bayoc

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‘Two Artists, Two Visions: Our Collective Story’ Art Exhibition Featuring Cbabi Bayoc and Allan Rohan Crite

Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St., 63103

When: Opening reception 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30; runs through Feb. 28

How much: $10 for opening reception, free thereafter

Information: Diocese website

Top left to right, Lloyd Smith, Margaret Bush Wilson, Ora Lee Malone, Percy Green, Dr. Frank Richards, state Sen. J.B. "Jet" Banks. Bottom left to right, Homer G. Phillips Hospital, Floyd and Patricia McKissack, Zella Jackson Price, Bernie Hayes, Mae Whee
Credit Missouri History Museum
Top left to right, Lloyd Smith, Margaret Bush Wilson, Ora Lee Malone, Percy Green, Dr. Frank Richards, state Sen. J.B. "Jet" Banks. Bottom left to right, Homer G. Phillips Hospital, Floyd and Patricia McKissack, Zella Jackson Price, Bernie Hayes, Mae Wheeler

‘Unsung Voices of Black St. Louis’

Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30-31

How much: Free

Information: Missouri History Museum website

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Credit Detail from Missouri Ballet Theater

‘Breaking Boundaries’ by Missouri Ballet Theatre

Where: Florissant Civic Center Theater, 1 James J. Eagan Drive, 63033

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30-31

How much: $28

Tickets: City of Florissant website

Information: Missouri Ballet Theatre website

Credit The Black Rep

‘Stick Fly’ presented by the Black Rep

Where: Emerson Performance Center, Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103

When: Opens 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4; runs through Feb. 22

How much: $35-$45

Tickets: Vendini Ticket Sales

Information: The Rep website

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Credit Teen Council

'St. Louis Story Stitchers' Teen Artists Presentations

Where: Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103

When: "Perception Isn’t Always Reality," 6-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6; "The Weight of Words," Saturday, Feb. 28

How much: "Perception" is free; "Weight" is ticketed

Information: Kranzberg website

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'Africa World Documentary Festival'

Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112

When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Feb. 6-8

How much: Free

Information: Missouri History Museum website

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Tavis Smiley 2014
Credit Provided
Tavis Smiley

TV Host/Author Tavis Smiley Appearance

Where: St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 63131

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7

How much: Free

Information: Library website

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Continuing the Legacy COCA 2015
Credit Provided by COCA

‘Continuing the Legacy’ Dance Performance

Where: COCA, 524 Trinity Ave., 63130

When: Noon and 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6; 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7

How much: $6-$14

Tickets: COCA website

Information: COCA website

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Artist Nick Cave Appearance

Where: Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, 63110

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12

How much: Sold out except for $5 simulcast tickets

Tickets: Metrotix

Information: Art Museum website calendar

Follow Nancy Fowler on Twitter: @NancyFowlerSTL

Nancy is a veteran journalist whose career spans television, radio, print and online media. Her passions include the arts and social justice, and she particularly delights in the stories of people living and working in that intersection.