Black History Month events planned on campus

February is Black History Month, and it will be celebrated in many different ways at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Several educational and social events are planned. The events listed below are free unless otherwise indicated.

Tuesday, Feb. 5

The School of Social Work is sponsoring a Black History Month celebration featuring spoken word performances by UW–Madison’s First Wave poets. It will be held in Room 300 in the School of Social Work, 1350 University Ave., 5:45 p.m. Information: (608) 263-3347, trniemi@wisc.edu.

EXPLORASTORY: African Storytelling: Harold Scheub, a professor of African Languages and Literature, has brought traditional oral folklore from Africa to Madison, and he teaches a very popular course called "The African Storyteller." He will share some of those stories from 7-9 p.m. in the Play Circle Theater at Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. Information: asegan@wisc.edu.

Wednesday, Feb. 6

African Studies Sandwich Seminar: "Now My Tale Has Truly Traveled Far!: Thoughts on the History of Tale-Making in Lesotho" presented by Peter Quella, professor of African Languages and Literature, Room 206 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive, noon-1 p.m. Information: 262-2380, asp@africa.wisc.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 7

Humanities Without Boundaries Nellie McKay Distinguished Lecture: Frances Smith Foster, Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Women’s Studies at Emory University, will deliver a lecture on "Freedom’s Journals: ‘Love Ditties’ and Other Writings of Courtship and Marriage in Early African America." This event, co-sponsored by the Center for the Humanities and the English Department, will take place in the Wisconsin Historical Society auditorium, 816 State St., beginning at 7:30 p.m. Information: 263-3412, info@humanities.wisc.edu.

An African Diasporic Print Culture Roundtable with Frances Smith Foster is planned for 2-3:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in Room 6191 of Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park St.

Tuesday, Feb. 12

Multicultural Career Fair: Graduating? Looking for a job or internship? Starting to network? Researching careers and companies? Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and network with employers recruiting for a diverse workforce. Sponsored by Letters and Science/Human Ecology Career Services and the School of Business. Great Hall, Memorial Union, 5-8 p.m. Information: 262-3921, awhite2@wisc.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 14

The Black Music Ensemble will present a free evening of jazz beginning at 8:30 p.m. in Morphy Hall at the Mosse Humanities Building, 455 N. Park St. Richard Davis is the ensemble’s director. (Note that this is a revised date from the one originally announced.)

Tuesday, Feb. 19

EXPLORASTORY: Enjoy modern storytelling with Kyle "El Guante" Myhre’s hip-hop stylings and opener First Wave, 7-9 p.m. in the Play Circle Theater at Memorial Union.

Friday, Feb. 22

"An Endless Night of Elegance": The Wisconsin Black Student Union will hold its annual Ebony Ball. The event features dinner and a party, including a fashion show with evening gowns sponsored by the group’s own members in the textile design program. The first Mr. and Ms. Ebony Ball will be crowned. It will be held from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. in Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

Tuesday, Feb. 26

"N*gger W*tback Ch*nk": This is a play about three guys who discuss race, with the moral that there is only one race: the human race. Blending theater, hip-hop, standup comedy, slam poetry and true-life stories with their own original style, three performers take on racial slurs, stereotypes and the concept of race itself in this 95-minute stage production. The performance, which is on a national tour, is sponsored by the Multicultural Student Coalition. It begins at 8 p.m. in the Wisconsin Union Theater. Contact: (608) 262-2201, Danielle M. Harris, harris4@wisc.edu. 

Friday, Feb. 29

A Moonshine Gathering: Chris Walker, a guest lecturer in UW–Madison’s Dance Program, is initiating a gathering of friends, artists and his African Performance class to participate in a "Moonshine" ritual as part of the program’s Friday forum. It begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space at Lathrop Hall, 1050 University Ave.

Walker describes Moonshine as a community gathering that traditionally occurs on the full moon. Community members would gather under the light of the moon and share in song, dance, poetry and storytelling. Elders would gather the younglings and cultural histories would be passed down in the form of exciting stories, songs, rhythms and movement. Others would perform neo-traditional and choreographed dances, while some would share their well-rehearsed skills in oration in the form of spoken word and poetry. Acclaimed African-American student-artists have been invited to perform at this Moonshine. Walker says the gathering will feature African and African-Caribbean dance, hip-hop, spoken word, poetry, drumming, chanting and singing.

Stepping, Strolling and Saluting: Lambda Theta Alpha and Gamma Mu will host their third annual Triple "S" Show, a competition of stepping, strolling and saluting. It will feature National Panhellenic Council and multicultural Greek organizations competing for a chance to win $600 per category. It begins at 7 p.m. An after party will be held following the show. Tickets are $15 (includes show and party) if purchased on or before Feb. 22. After that date the tickets are $15 for show and $5 for the party (at the door). Information: Amanda at madisontriplesshow@yahoo.com or (210) 478-9689.