North Shore celebrates Black History Month

Black History Month is being celebrated in February all across the North Shore. Check out our list of events to attend to celebrate.

Evanston

Feb. 2 — Sip & Paint Black History Month Kickoff at Temperance Beer Company. The Evanston Public Library will provide the paint and supplies with alcohol available for purchase. Ages 21+. In person from 6 to 8 p.m. Join the waiting list online at epl.org.

Feb. 6 & 13 — Black Abstract Art and Black Imaginations. Learn from Professor Emerita D. Soyini Madison of Northwestern’s Department of Performance Studies in this two-session mini-course. Tuesdays, Feb. 6, and Feb. 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., online and in-person at the Evanston Main Library. Register online at epl.org.

Feb. 7 — The AUX with Tiffini Holmes: A Lunch & Learn Event. Discover The AUX, an exciting new commercial hub in Evanston creating space and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Evanston Main Library. Register online at epl.org.

Feb. 11 — Matinee Movie @ Main Celebrating Black History: The Little Mermaid. (2023). Join EPL at 1 p.m. for a craft in the Children’s Art Garden, followed by the screening at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Evanston Main Library.

Feb. 14 — Open Mic & Karaoke Night. Showcase your talents with open mic performances followed by karaoke. Ages. 21+. Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Double Clutch Brewing. Register online at epl.org.

Feb. 16 — Organ Donation and African Americans: Myths and Misconceptions. EPL hosts the event in partnership with the Illinois Secretary of State from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Evanston Library Robert Crown Branch. Register online at epl.org.

Feb. 17 — Black History 24/7/365; That Art Thing We Do. Stop by the Noyes Cultural Arts Center for a conversation with Black Evanston artists about their work. Panelists will include playwright/director/educator Gloria Bond Clunie, visual artist Sam Onche, culinary artist Chef “Q” Ibraheem, and musician-composer Chris Greene. The program will be moderated by Laurice Bell of Shorefront Legacy Center. Register online.

Feb. 20 — Teen Snack & Paint. Embrace your inner royal as we make crowns and learn about crowns from different nations in Africa. Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Evanston Library Robert Crown Branch. Register online at epl.org.

Feb. 21 — Finding Jean Baptiste Point DuSable: Chicago’s Black Father. Join Associate Professor of History and African American Studies Courtney Pierre Joseph for a talk about the life and times of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Evanston Main Library. Register online at epl.org.

Feb. 23 — Black Family Game Night. Join us for an evening of great food, fun, trivia and games in celebration of Black History Month! Friday, Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Evanston Library Robert Crown Branch. Register online at epl.org.

Feb. 24 — Matinee Movie @ Main Celebrating Black History: Summer of Soul. (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised). Watch and discuss Questlove’s documentary celebrating the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Saturday, Feb. 24 from 3 to 5:15 p.m. at the Evanston Library Main Library.

Feb. 27 — Mental Health in Black Communities: A Panel Discussion. Experts will discuss the intersection of shared experience, inequities, and mental health access. Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Evanston Library Robert Crown Branch. Register online at epl.org.

Wilmette

The Village of Wilmette Human Relations Commission is hosting a poster, essay/poetry and multimedia/music contest for Wilmette students. Entries must be submitted to Wilmette Village Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. Poster entries must be submitted by residents enrolled in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. All other contestants must be residents enrolled in grades five through twelve.

Feb. 5 — Opera Lovers Lecture Corps: Champion. Join a virtual lecture hosted by the Wilmette Public Library on the Lyric Opera’s production of “Champion” based on the life of Black welterweight boxer Emile Griffith from 7 to 8 p.m. Register online at wilmettelibrary.info.

Feb. 6 — A Conversation with Jerry Craft. Join a virtual conversation with author/illustrator Jerry Craft and Ronnell Whitaker, a founding member of the Lit-X Teacher Cohort. Register online at wilmettelibrary.info. This event will not be recorded for later viewing.

Feb. 13 — Classics and Contemporary Book Discussion: “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin. Join the discussion at the Wilmette Public Library from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to discuss “Giovanni’s Room” by author James Baldwin. The story follows a love triangle in 1950s Paris between David, his new fiance Hella and Giovanni, a bartender David finds himself drawn to.

Feb. 28 — The Golden Thirteen. Join a virtual discussion about the first 13 Black commissioned officers in American Naval history. The discussion will follow their training, time spent with the fleet and on the Great Lakes along with their legacy. Register online at wilmettelibrary.info.

Winnetka

Feb. 1 — An Unfinished Journey: African American Music in its Pivotal Decades. Join a virtual discussion hosted by Winnetka-Northfield Public Library and explore the history of Black Americans through slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement and other pivotal moments in American history hosted by Clarence Goodman. 7 to 8:15 p.m. Register online at wnpld.org.

Feb. 12 — Food for Though Cookbook Book Club: Soulful Sisters: A Celebration of Black Woman Chefs. Join the cookbook book club at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library as they discuss cookbooks authored by Black women chefs including “Carla Hall’s Soul Food” by Carla Hall, “Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit” by Erika Council and “The Way Home: A Celebration of Sea Islands Food and Family” by Kardea Brown. 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northfield Library.

Feb. 15 — The History of Bob Marley. Join a virtual discussion of musical legend Bob Marley and his journey from poverty in his home Jamaica to become a world renowned musician and cultural icon. 7 to 8 p.m. Register online at wnpld.org. The event will not be recorded.

Feb. 24 — Jazz from the Roaring 20s. Stop by the Winnetka Library from 2 to 3 p.m. to hear Vocalist Petra van Nuis, guitarist Andy Brown, and trombonist Russ Phillips perform popular jazz tunes from the 1920s. Register online at wnpld.org.

Glencoe

The Glencoe Historical Society is currently housing an exhibit highlighting the history of Glencoe’s Black residents. The exhibit is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. If those times aren’t doable, residents can reach out to set up an appointment.