What You’re Missing: Black History Month Events in NYC

From art exhibits and inspiring talks about race in America to historical walking tours and a restaurant featuring a mouthwatering menu inspired by black female chefs, there’s no shortage of Black History Month events taking place in New York City. Below, AMNewYork compiled a list of events happening over the next few weeks.

[Related: Black History Month: Annette Gordon-Reed, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author]

Exhibitions
Taking place at the The Louis Armstrong House Museum, “Hotter Than That: 90 Years of Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five” explores the life of the jazz legend focusing on the recordings he

made with his group, Hot Five. Original recordings, photographs, advertisements, articles and more are on display. Now through Oct. 16, closed Mondays, $10 adults, $7 seniors and students, FREE for children 4 and under; 34-56 107th St., Corona, 718-478-8274, louisarmstronghouse.org

Paying homage to African Americans in public service, “America: The Legacy of African American Public Service” spotlights drawings, quilts and more works from government officials like President Barack Obama to activists to significant members of the public. Now until Feb. 26, FREE; Arsenal Gallery, Central Park, 64th Street and Fifth Avenue, 212-360-8163, nycgovparks.org

Music 

“Brooklyn Abolitionists/In Pursuit of Freedom” is a long-term exhibit about the anti-slavery movement 

at the Brooklyn Historical Society. The exhibit features photographs, census records, maps, newspapers and more from the end of the American Revolution to Reconstruction. Take note, the exhibit is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, $10 adults, $6 teachers and seniors, FREE students and children under 12; 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights, 718-222-4111, brooklynhistory.org
Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater returns to the Harlem institution for a new season of aspiring talent. With the familiar format where the audience decides if the performer will “be good or be gone,” Comedian Capone will host the kick-off the event with special guest artist Chrisette Michele. Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m., $15-$35; 253 W. 125th St., 212-531-5305, apollotheater.org

The Harlem Chamber Players. The eighth annual Black History Month celebration, hosted by journalist and author Eric K. Washington, features music by Chevalier de St. George, John Carter, Nkeiru Okoye, and Barber. Performers include soprano Janinah Burnett of the Metropolitan Opera. Feb. 27, 4 p.m., adults $15 in advance/ $20 at the door, seniors and students $10 in advance/$15 at the door; St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 521 W. 126th St., 212-866-1492, harlemchamberplayers.org

Screenings

Watch the award-winning film, Selma which depicts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his followers’ epic 1965 walk from Selma to Montgomery in the fight against racial discrimination and for suffrage. Feb. 23, noon-2 p.m., FREE; 203 W. 115th St., 212-666-9393, nypl.org

Workshops
The George Washington Carver workshop, held at the Queens Botanical Garden, explores the famed botanist, then uses plants to paint and create a healing lotion, at this hands-on workshop geared toward children ages 5 to 12. Feb. 16, 1-3 p.m., $6 per child; 43-50 Main St., Flushing, 718-886-3800, queensbotanical.org

Read More: AMNY.com.