We’ve reached the midway point of Black History Month, and there are still numerous events to attend in New York City. Whether you prefer a paint-and-sip, film night, or a free dance class, check out some of these Black History Month events taking place this coming week.
Sunday, Feb. 15
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Grisly Pear – Midtown
243 W 54th St
New York, NY 10019
Join Thyme & Again Comedy Show for a night filled with jokes and laughter to celebrate Black History Month at their “Laughin’ While Black” comedy show. The lineup has comics who were on HBO, NBC, Netflix, and FOX. The show is 21+ to attend, and guests must arrive 15 minutes before showtime. Save money by purchasing tickets at https://www.grislypearstandup.com/. Tickets are also available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, Feb. 15
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Lovejoys
412 Troutman St
Brooklyn, NY 11237
To celebrate 100 years of Black History Month, Spoken Wordz is hosting a showcase and open-mic night. Come together as the showcase and open mic will feature 10 poets and a special dance performance. Tickets are available on Eventbrite starting at $17.85.
Monday, Feb. 16
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
103 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
The Tenement Museum is hosting an apartment tour, “A Union of Hope: 1869,” that explores the story of Joseph and Rachel Moore, two Black New Yorkers who lived in a rear tenement in today’s SoHo neighborhood in the 1860s and 1870s. The exhibit shows Joseph’s history from his free Black community of Belvidere, N.J., through his family’s migration to New York City, and what he and Rachel built. Tickets are $30 per person and available for purchase at The Tenement Museum’s website.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Paul & Eslanda Robeson Cinema
320 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
The People’s Forum is hosting a film night featuring “Now Is the Time,” a short documentary film about the history of Black resistance and anger in the United States. It includes writers such as Langston Hughes and James Baldwin, as well as the Black Power movement. You can purchase tickets via https://peoplesforum.org/events/ or Eventbrite as a $8.00 donation (with a $2.38 tax fee included).
Friday, Feb. 20
5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Marcus Garvey Park
Front of the Center in Pelham Fritz Recreational Center
18 Mount Morris Park West
New York, NY 10027
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) is hosting a Black History Month showcase called “Fashion, Culture & Style on the Runway.” The showcase will focus on the culture, fashion, and art of Harlem, highlighting local designers and artists and bringing the community together. The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, email Lasharn.Cooper@parks.nyc.gov.
Friday, Feb. 20
6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Gallery 735, Vanderlyn Panorama
1000 5th Ave
New York, NY 10028
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting an educational event for Black History Month called “Untold Stories: Black Craftspeople in 18th and 19th Century America.” The event will explore the histories behind the objects made by enslaved and free Black artists and craftspeople through presentations and conversations with experts. The objects are from The Met collection and the “Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence” exhibition, organized by the Black Craftspeople Digital Archive and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Museum. The event is free with Museum admission, but advanced registration is recommended on the Met Museum website: https://engage.metmuseum.org.
Friday, Feb. 20
6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
The Whitney Museum of American Art & Ailey Extension
99 Gansevoort St
New York, NY 10014
As a part of their Free Friday Night series, The Whitney Museum of American Art and Ailey Extension teamed up to host a series of free pop-up dance classes to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month. The dance classes, led by Ailey Extension instructors, will take you on a fun, unique journey across different dance genres. DJ sets, art making, and more are included. This upcoming class is West African-themed, led by West African dancer Maguette Camara. The class is open to all ages and skill levels. Admission to the event is free, but tickets are required. You can purchase tickets at https://transact.whitney.org.
Saturday, Feb. 21
10:30 a.m.
39 Battery Pl
New York, NY 10280
The Skyscraper Museum is hosting a “Black History Month Celebration: Architecture of the Harlem Renaissance,” a children’s program. You’ll learn about the art and architecture of the Harlem Renaissance, and afterwards, create collages using different cutouts of New York buildings, art pieces, and literature from the Harlem Renaissance, inspired by artist Romare Bearden. The event is free and open to all ages, but an RSVP is required at https://ticketstripe.com/events/.
Saturday, Feb. 21
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance & Van Cortlandt House Museum
The Van Cortlandt House Museum
6036 Broadway
Bronx, NY 10471
The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Van Cortlandt House Museum are teaming up to host a “Black History Month: Legacy of Enslaved Africans in Van Cortlandt Park” program. The program will include two guided tours: “Pathways to the Past Walking Tour,” and “Van Cortlandt House Museum Tour.” The tours will reflect on the experiences of enslaved Africans. RSVP for the event on Eventbrite. General admission tickets are free, but are currently on a waitlist; you can RSVP with a monetary donation of your choice.
Saturday, Feb. 21
3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Paints
1134 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11221
90s Mark Studios is hosting a guided, immersive paint-and-sip, “Love & Color,” celebrating Black History Month and Valentine’s Day through art, music, and community. The paint-and-sip will include painting materials, a live DJ, and a drink menu in a warm, creative atmosphere centered on love, culture, and self-expression. Guests are welcome to BYOB and bring their own food to enjoy. There will be a $5 special raffle giveaway for a chance to win an original painting. Tickets start at $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite. – Compiled by Tyra Watts