The month of February is a time to remember and reflect on the history of the Black experience in the United States. However you prefer to honor this legacy, from educational events to festive celebrations, concerts, performances and parties, there’s no shortage of ways to do Black History Month around the Bay.
Black History Month at MoAD: Throughout February, Museum of the African Disapora, 685 Mission St., San Francisco. MoAD will honor Black History Month with a full month of programs and events celebrating Black history, voices, art, film, literature, fashion, food and comedy. Prices vary. moadsf.org/events
Celebrating Black History Walks: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays in February, Thurgood Marshall Regional Park, Concord. In honor of Black History Month, East Bay Regional Park District will host tours exploring the southern end of the new Thurgood Marshall Regional Park, home of the Port Chicago 50, where attendees can learn about the natural and human history of the land. Free. ebparks.org/celebrating-90-years
Black History Month Film Festival: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays in February, 499 Pierce St., Monterey. This festival will showcase films highlighting the rich tapestry of the Black experience in the United States, followed by interactive Q&A sessions to foster community dialogue. Free. bit.ly/BHMfilmfestival
Black History Month at Children’s Fairyland: weekends in February, Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. This children’s park is doing a visual display showcasing the significant people, periods and movements that shaped Oakland’s rich history, plus performances by musicians, storytellers, entertainers and educators. $16. brushfire.com/childrensfairyland/fairyland/568463
Black History Month Jazz Concert: 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 2, Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 Fourth St., Petaluma. This concert will feature local vintage jazz and blues group, The doRiaN Mode, with Dorian Bartley. $35 to $40. bit.ly/BHMjazzconcert
Royales – Black Kings Excellence: 8 p.m. Feb. 2, Mars Bar & Restaurant, 798 Brannan St., San Francisco. Celebrate Black History Month with the Royales, the Bay Area’s only all-BIPOC Drag King Show. Featured performers include Bettyie Jayne, Qozmo, Pete-O Daguyo and Helixir Jynder-Byntwell. $15. bit.ly/RoyalesBHM
Lunar New Year x Black History Month: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 3, 388 Ninth St., Oakland. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center will celebrate Asian and African-American solidarity at festivities that include Black and Asian martial artists and live music and dance groups such as Blood Moon Orchestra, Diamano Coura drummers and CAL VSA Lion Dancers. Free admission. oacc.cc/oacc-events/
Black History Month – House of Samba Kids: 1 p.m. Feb. 3, 1188 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore. Come out to the Civic Center Library to dance, sing, celebrate and be transported across the globe through the sounds of drums and percussion. Free. bit.ly/BHMsambakids
Black History Month Concert with Miss Faye Carol: 6 p.m. Feb. 3, Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. The School of Arts and Culture is hosting a dynamic Black History Month concert featuring the Dynamic Miss Faye Carol, one of the Bay Area’s premiere jazz vocalists. $0 to $40. tabardtheatre.org/vbotickets/
Sankofa Supper: 6 to 1 p.m. Feb. 3, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. OCMA’s Town Fare and chef Michele McQueen are hosting a special Black History Month dinner inspired by cuisine from East Africa, South America, the Caribbean and the soul of the American South, each bite bringing together the rich flavors and cultural influences of the African diaspora. $145. eventbrite.com/e/sankofa-supper-tickets-797084149147
Black History Month – Crafting Creations: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 7, Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. This event showcases two Black pioneers in holography, 3-D glasses inventor Kenneth J. Dunkley and illusion transmitter inventor Valerie Thomas. Make and test your own 3D glasses and read about how their inventions have revolutionized the fields of science and technology. Free. bit.ly/BHMcraftingcreations
Black History Month Paint Night: 4 p.m. Feb. 7, American Canyon Library, 300 Crawford Way, American Canyon. This artistic celebration will guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a beautiful painting that celebrates Black history and culture. Supplies provided. Free. napalibrary.libnet.info/event/9813961
Black History Month Dance Party: 7 p.m. Feb. 8, The Commons, 2601 Mariposa St., San Francisco. Dancer and culture-maker Traci Bartlow will lead a short history of social dance, from Lindy Hop to hip-hop. Part lecture, part dance party, this mini class will teach you history and the moves to get you groovin’. $15. kqed.org/event/3944
Black History Funk – Full Throttle: 8 p.m. Feb. 8, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. This ultimate funk tribute show celebrates the sounds of funk, and features Eric “EQ” Young, a slap bass player known as the Bay Area’s “Son of Funk,” who reignites classic funk jams from the pioneers of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. $29 to $59. bit.ly/BlackHistoryFunk
Black History Month Happy Hour: 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 9, Mimosa2, 3320 Grand Ave., Oakland. This evening of conversation, music and delicious drinks is designed to help you connect with friends, meet new people and honor the rich history and culture of the Black community. Free admission, menu pricing. bit.ly/Mimosa2BHM
Black History Month with Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir: 7 p.m. Feb. 11, Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. OIGC returns to the legendary Freight & Salvage for its annual Black History Month celebration. $26 to $31. secure.thefreight.org/13497/oakland-interfaith-gospel-choir
All Your Favorite Music is (Probably) Black: 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 15, Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. Celebrate Black History Month with composer and music historian Mark Montgomery French. Enjoy a humorous and historically accurate presentation that uncovers the African-American roots of popular music genres. $20 to $30. rhythmix.org/events/your-music-is-black-2024/
Black History Showcase Brunch: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 17, White Horse Inn, 6551 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Black arts while indulging in a Southern-style brunch accompanied by performers highlighting Black artists and tracing their ancestral roots. $20 to $70. bit.ly/BHMwhitehorse
Black History Month at Crocker Art Museum: 11 a.m. Feb. 18, Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St., Sacramento. Celebrate the richness of the African American experience with a Black History Month Festival featuring live performances, creative art activities, thought-provoking poetry readings, mini-talks and current exhibitions. Free. my.crockerart.org/1178/1912
Black History Month Art Show: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18, Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg,. Celebrate Black History Month with an art show and crafters event featuring unique art displays and vendors, food trucks and wine tasting. Free admission. bit.ly/BHMthemill
Black History Month at Côte West Winery: 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 18, 2102 Dennison St., Oakland. Get ready for a vibrant celebration at Côte West’s first annual Black History Month Showcase, which is all about joy, inspiration and the positive impact of Black voices, with some winery delights to add to the festivities. Free admission. bit.ly/BHMcote
Black History Month Storytime: 4 p.m. Feb. 18, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. This cultural community story time will explore significant figures in Black History through stories, songs and activities. bit.ly/BHMkingstorytime
The Black History of Moms Mabley: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 20, JCCSF, 3200 California St., San Francisco. Celebrate Black History Month with a show exploring the amazing story of “Moms” Mabley, the first female standup comic, not to mention the first Black woman and first openly gay female comic to hit the stage. Free. bit.ly/BHMjccsf
Black History Month – Afrofuturism: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 24, Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. Join in a celebration of Black scientists, scholars, and artists of the past, present and future with a day of hands-on activities, presentations and live demos for the whole family. $0 to $24. bit.ly/BHMchabot
African American Textile Art Panel Discussion: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb. 24, Hayward Public Library, 888 C St., Hayward. Hear a discussion on the art of African American quilts in commemoration of Black History Month’s theme of African Americans and the Arts. Free. bit.ly/BHMtextiles
Black History Month- Ancestor Portraits: 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 24, Livermore Public Library, 1188 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore. Join JAMM the Artist to honor family, friends, and heroes of the African Diaspora from the past and present. Participants will learn the fundamental skills to create a monochromatic portrait of a historical figure or personal hero using pencil, ink and watercolor. Supplies will be provided. Free. bit.ly/AncestorPortraits
Black Vines Festival: 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 24, The Bridge Yard, 210 Burma Road, Oakland. The 13th annual Black Vines Toast to Black Wineries and Diverse Art is a celebration of love, joy and the Black future. Tickets include gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a limited edition Black Vines keepsake glass and tastings from featured wineries. $175. blackvines.net/
Black History Month Jazz Brunch: Feb. 24, Swans Market, 510 Ninth St., Oakland. The Cook and Her Farmer’s annual Jazz Brunch includes shrimp and grits, fried catfish, oysters, tasty drinks and a New Orleans-style brass band presented by Jazz Mafia. Free admission, menu pricing. bit.ly/BHMjazzbrunch
Black Joy Parade: 12:30 p.m. Feb. 25, 14th Street and Franklin Street, Oakland. This annual celebration of Black culture and community features more than 200 Black-owned vendor stalls, two stages showcasing Black performers, activities for the whole family and the largest Black Joy Parade procession in the world. Free admission. blackjoyparade.org/events
Black History Month at California State Archives: 10 a.m. Feb. 27, 1020 O St., Sacramento. Enjoy an exclusive, behind the scenes tour of the State Archives featuring records and one-of-a-kind historical documents celebrating Black History Month. Free. bit.ly/BHMstatearchives
Have a Black History Month event to add? Submit it online at forms.gle/Cu9J6Ks2fQiQUcKk8.
