Celebrate Black History Month with these St. Paul events

It is Black History Month, lest we forget. The month of February is a short, but intentionally dedicated time to appreciate the impact and legacy African Americans and the Black Diaspora have left on the U.S.

Here are events happening in St. Paul this month in honor.

Being Black and Betty Crocker

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, the Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., hosts a free screening of TPT’s “Being Black and Betty Crocker,” a moderated conversation with Barbara Jo Davis, who in 1968 began what would be her 20-year career with General Mills. She is “a culinary visionary who helped bring Hamburger Helper Hotdish and Ken Davis BBQ to grocery store shelves, while also opening doors for new generations of women,” the Historical Society writes.

A Q&A session with light refreshments will follow the screening. Registration is recommended, but not required, at mnhs.org/events.

Black Market

From 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Case building, 767 N. Eustis St., multiple vendors will sell items including food, art and “unique” shopping goods at the Black Market. The event will also feature live music, games and other opportunities for fun, according to the advertisement.

The marketplace is free and open to the public, and takes place every second Saturday of each month. The mission of the Black Market is to “assist in increasing the visibility of Black-owned businesses in MN.”

Hands-On Hip Hop

In a partnership between the Minnesota Children’s Museum and TruArtSpeaks, a series of hip-hop-focused programming will be led by multiple teaching artists. The series will feature drop-in workshops and a finale performance. All events are free with the price of the museum’s admission, $17.95-19.95.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb 14, at the Children’s Museum in the Atrium, 10 Seventh St. W., artist Herb Johnson will teach the hip-hop dance style breaking. This event is free with the price of the museum’s admission.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Atrium, artist Jordan Hamilton will teach attendees to make graffiti-inspired art using markers, paper and collage. They will learn “basic techniques and approaches to creative graffiti lettering while developing your own unique style,” according to the museum.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Children’s Museum in Flex Rooms 1 and 2, attendees can “participate in drop-in workshops that dive deep into the Hip Hop element of your choice.” A finale performance will follow at 4 p.m. in the Atrium.

Black To The Future! Kid’s Black History Exploration

From 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 20, at 825 Arts, 825 University Ave. W., families and kids can learn about Black inventors, scientist and artists in celebration of Black History Month. Attendees will learn things like who invented the Supersoaker, fire extinguisher and more.

The event is free, and spots can be reserved at eventbrite.com.

Booked on Thursdays: “A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing from Soil to Stars”

Pop-up poster show, at Can Can Wonderland through Feb. 19, highlights anti-ICE protest art

Groundswell cafe in Midway announces it will not reopen after fire

Finding adventure, friendship on a women-only trip in Vietnam

Q&A: Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera shares stories from the Cuban Revolution to stardom

Recipe: Make this Beef, Mushroom and Carrot Stir-Fry for Lunar New Year

From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26, the Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., hosts a free informal event for people to discuss the book, “A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing from Soil to Stars” by Minnesota author Erin Sharkey.

The book is “a vibrant collection of personal and lyric essays in conversation with archival objects of Black history and memory,” according to Milkweed Editions.

The Historical Society states that “whether you read a few pages, a few chapters, or finish the book, all are invited to participate.” Register for free at mnhs.org/events. Limited quantities of free copies of the book can be requested via email at engagement@mnhs.org.

Sounds of Blackness’ “Music for Martin”

From 7:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., Grammy Award-winning Twin Cities-based musical group Sounds of Blackness will perform “a celebratory tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

The showcase will “draw from the music that fueled the Civil Rights Movement,” featuring arrangements of gospel, spirituals, soul and jazz, including excerpts from Dr. King’s most well-known speeches.

Tickets for the show range from $30-$70 and can be purchased on ordway.org/events.

Black History Month Bookfair

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at the HarMar Mall, 2100 Snelling Ave. N., Roseville, readers can shop books from Black authors. Featured authors include: Dr. Artika Tyner of “The Inclusive Leader and Justice Makes a Difference,” Lanell Lightfoot of “Sing” and Nasra Noor of “My Mommy is a Schoolteacher.”

OMG Studios Presents Soul Sista Unplugged

From 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 21 at OMG Studios, 550 Vandalia St., Suite 220, singer Jamela Pettiford will perform soulful songs, featuring original work along with classic tunes. The evening will also include poetry and storytelling. Wine and appetizers will be served.

The concert is 21+. Tickets cost $49.87 and can be purchased on eventbrite.com.

Black History Month: Black Girl Magic!

From 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 22 at 825 Arts, 825 University Ave. W., Black beauticians will show off Black hairstyles and celebrate Black girl magic with candle making, karaoke and double Dutch. “It’s a space for Black women to shine,” according to the event advertisement. The event is free, and spots can be reserved on eventbrite.com.

Coffee Chat: 25th Infantry

From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26 and Feb 28 at Historic Fort Snelling, 200 Tower Ave., the Minnesota Historical Society hosts Coffee Chat: 25th Infantry, a lecture discussion event about the Twenty-Fifth Infantry Regiment (“Buffalo Soldiers”) who were assigned to Fort Snelling from 1882 to 1888. “The soldiers and musicians contributed to the rich social and cultural life of the Black communities in the Twin Cities and beyond,” the Historical Society states.

Rooted: A Southern Tasting Experience

From 1 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Mississippi Market, 740 E. Seventh St., Black Roots Sauces & Seasonings hosts a guided tasting demonstration of soul food staples and innovations like mustard greens, black-eyed pea hummus, roasted chicken and garlic aioli.

Tickets are $27.47 and can be purchased through eventbrite.com.

Bryant Alexander and Chivo Presents: Black Comedy Excellence

Looking for a laugh? From 8 to 9:30 p.m. Feb 28 at TWG Comedy, 282 Sixth St. E., Suite 102, Bryant Alexander and Chivo bring St. Paul the “best in Black comedy excellence,” according to their advertisement.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on eventbrite.com.

Artist and Archives: Community Collaging Event

From 1 to 4 p.m. Feb 28 at the Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., participants are invited to bring copies of photos, letters, flyers or stories “that reflect their lived experiences, families, and neighborhoods,” and create collages.

The event is free, and no art experience is needed as materials will be provided. Light refreshments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to register, visit mnhs.org/events.

Want to celebrate with your stomach?

Here’s a listing of Black-owned restaurants we compiled in 2020 after George Floyd’s murder.

Some others include:

Bole, 1341 Pascal St.
West Indies Soul Food, 839 University Ave.
La Boulangerie Marguerite, 1279 Randolph Ave.
Cookie Cart, 946 Payne Ave.
Burnt Chicken, 858 Payne Ave.
Golden Thyme Restaurant & Bar, 934 Selby Ave.
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant, 823 University Ave. W.
Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant, 308 E. Prince St., Suite 140
Hyacinth, 790 Grand Ave.
La Fusion Café, 360 Sherman St., Suite 165
Kitchen Concepts Comfort Food, Rayette Lofts, 261 Fifth St. E.

For coffee: Flava Café, 623 University Ave. W.; Storehouse Grocers and Coffee, 781 E. Seventh St.

For a drink: MetroNOME Brewery and Dark Horse Bar & Eatery, both in Lowertown.