Throughout February, numerous local events in celebration of Black History Month occur in the areas of film, art, music, dance and theater. Check out this comprehensive list here:

Films:

African-American History Film Series

The Louisville Free Public Library, in partnership with the University of Louisville Health Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion, will host a film series every Sunday in February from 3-6 p.m. The movies in this series will include “Marshall,” “Hidden Figures,” “42: The Jackie Robinson Stories,” and “Loving.” There will be a discussion after each film.

Selma

On Feb. 3, the Highlands-Shelby Park Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library will be showing “Selma,” a historical drama film illustrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s march from Selma to Montgomery and their fight for suffrage. It is free and there will be refreshments. 

African-American Jockeys in the Kentucky Derby.

On Feb. 5, the Middletown Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library will be hosting John Taylor, a documentarian and local historian, who will lead a discussion of the history of African-American jockeys and their influence in the Kentucky Derby. Admission is free.

Art:

12th Annual African American Art Exhibit.

In the Annual African American Art Exhibit, the Actors Theatre of Louisville will be featuring artists’ works centered around the theme of African American history, culture and art. According to their website, over 20,000 theatre and arts patrons come to view this annual exhibition. It will end on Feb. 11.

#BlackArtMatters

This exhibit, which ends in early April, will take place in the Carnegie Center for Art and History. According to their website, this exhibit is intended to provide a space for African-American artists to be seen and heard, as well as celebrate and respect the histories and lives of these black artists. Several of the artists’ pieces are online here.

Music and theatre:

22nd African American Music Heritage Institute: Core Ensemble.

On February 5, the Core Ensemble–a chamber music theater group–will present the program “Ain’t I a Woman!” This program features cello, piano, and percussion players that celebrate the lives of four influential African American women: Sojourner Truth, Zora Hurston, Clementine Hunter and Fannie Lou Hamer. The ensemble will include music from the spirituals of the Deep South and Jazz Age. It will take place at the Comstock Concert Hall at the University of Louisville School of Music and admission is $10.

African American Theatre Program

Starting on Feb. 23 and ending on Mar. 4, the African American Theatre Program will present an original play called the “Fabulation or the Re-education of Undine.” This play is about an African American businesswoman learning to overcome the social and financial struggles in her life after her husband steals her money and leaves her. It will take place in the Thrust Theatre Studio Arts Building on 2314 South Floyd Street. Those who are interested in attending can view more details about times and dates here.

Dance:

On Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., the South Central Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library will be holding an introductory Afro-Carribean Dance Class. Those who are interested must be at least 18 years old to attend, and admission is free.