Fayetteville, NC– Cumberland County celebrates Black History Month with seven different activities across the community.
The Museum of the Cape Fear Historic Complex hosts Dancing Stories with April C. Turner on February 2 at 2 p.m. The program explores African dance and stories that affirm the community-building concepts of working together, integrity and perseverance.
“The meanings and uses of the songs and dances are demonstrated in a fun, high-energy, inspiring journey,” says Turner, who also works as a film and TV actress. The audience will have fun when Wolof, a West African language, is introduced to them. “Dancing Stories explores African folklore and demonstrates ways that African stories can bring a community together.”
Turner explores the language of African dance symbols. At the end of the presentation, audience members are invited to participate in playing the instruments as a community. The event is free and open to the public.
More about April C. Turner: www.LifeAsArtProductions.com
Other Black History Month Events:
Ongoing/ The exhibit Early African American Businesses in Fayetteville at the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum highlights African American business owners from the antebellum period through the mid twentieth century. (910) 433-1457
February 4/ Locals and visitors are invited to explore the downtown landscape during the African-American Heritage Bus Tour. Participants will travel via bus to visit sites that highlight the distinct contributions of African-Americans to the Fayetteville community. (910) 433-1457
February 9/ The Black History Cultural Art & Jazz event will honor and celebrate African-American achievements through Jazz and art. This special event will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at Beans & Things in Spring Lake. Website
February 11/ Ruby Bridges, first African-American child to break the school color barrier in the south, will deliver this year’s Spring Convocation address at Methodist University. More Information
February 16/ Spring Lake Community Center hosts the Black History Cultural Art Experience. This free event aims to highlight African-American’s contributions to art. Website
February 23/ Anansi & Friends: The Joke’s on You tells original trickster tales from the West Indies, based on myths, folk tales and legends from Ghana, featuring their beloved well-known trickster, Anansi the Spider. Fayetteville State University presents the play at Seabrook Auditorium on campus. Website
February 23/ Fayetteville State University hosts True to Yourself: A Black History Month Film Talk on campus at Seabrook Auditorium. Noted actor Boris Kodjoe, star of ABC’s drama Station 19 and Netflix’s House of Cards will guide audiences through his careers, life, challenges and more. Moderated by Judge Toni King, the event will show how Boris built a solid career through challenges. Website
Anytime/ Tour the African-American Heritage Trail – Cumberland County’s African-American Heritage Trail provides a historical glimpse into the lives of African-Americans who resided in Cumberland County from the Revolutionary War era through the early 20th century. Visit the Trail
About the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com or call 1-800-255-8217.