A free event this weekend is a sterling opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of several legends of the early 20th century. The show will be held in two different locations.
The Salon of the Renaissance Period is a theatrical production featuring the great African American philosophers, writers, musicians, singers, dancers, comedians, and actors of the period, including writers Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and W.E.B. Dubois, and musical artists Billie Holliday and Duke Ellington.
Set in the 1920s, the production centers around a meeting in Harlem of the often dubbed “Talented Tenth” — the great African-American scholars, writers, artists, and musicians who gather to entertain and enlighten one another through conversation, presentation, and performance.
The Salon will be performed at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park. For information, call 410-636-6597.
On Sunday, the Salon moves a few miles south to the Pascal Center at Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Parkway, in Arnold. There, the free show begins at 2 p.m. For information visit aacc.edu/black-history or contact Vivian Spencer at vgspencer@aacc.edu .
Part of the continuing celebration of Black History Month is Annapolis High School’s annual Black History Program, 4 p.m. Sunday at the school’s auditorium. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The Black History Club will feature these guest performers: Dance by Isaac Colbert, soloist Kamerion Butler and Beacon Light Seventh Day Adventist Children’s Choir. A special presentation will feature the Annapolis High Soul Choir — 45 years later. The Soul Choir is comprised of former Annapolis High School students performing under the direction of Jacky Scott. Annapolis High School is located at 2700 Riva Road in Annapolis. For information, call 410-266-5240.
BATALA, an Afro-Brazilian Women’s Band that livens up parades and concerts throughout the region with its colorful costumes and vibrant drumming, 3 p.m. Saturday at the Crofton Community Library, 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton. During this event for all ages, learn about Brazil’s dynamic Afro-Bahian culture and samba reggae music through this fascinating and diverse women’s drumming band. Admission is free.
Celebrating Our Majesty: African Heritage on the Chesapeake Bay, highlights African, and African-American, seafaring and maritime heritage from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in history, dress, customs and music. This special event takes place 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center, 1101 Smithville St., Annapolis.
Karen Somerville, a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, is the featured vocal artist. Attendees are welcome to “dress the part” in celebration of Black History Month by wearing their favorite African and Caribbean clothing to help set the mood. This festive event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Vince Leggett at 410-570-1187 or by emailing vincent425@comcast.net.
A side-splitting comedy show, presented by Aleph Bet Jewish Day School, is coming to this area 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Temple Beth Shalom, 1461 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Arnold. The show has an funny title, too: You’re Funny But You Don’t Look Jewish.
Italian American, African American, Vietnamese American and Indian American Jewish stand-up comedians Mike Capozzola, Gina Gold, Joe Nguyen and Samson Koletkar will share the stage and their own experiences about being ‘undercover’ members of the (Jewish) tribe. The show has sold out performances in the USA and Canada. The show’s content is suitable for ages 14 and older. Tickets are $36 per person presale, $45 at the door. Call 410-263-9044.
An International Film Festival Comes to Annapolis in February. The 10th annual Bridges to the World International Film Festival will be held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. through March 8 at Studio 39, 291 Locust Ave., Annapolis. Admission is free for all of the movies, which are sponsored by World Artists Experiences and the International Division of Maryland’s Office of the Secretary of State
The Bridges to the World International Film Festival is a statewide initiative in recognition of the State’s global reach and connections. The films to be presented are “Cherry Tobacco” from Estonia on Feb. 15; “Captain Abu Raed” from Jordan on Feb. 22; “Arts of the Monsoon” from Oman on Mar. 1; and a film from Bulgaria to be announced on Mar. 8.
Bent But Not Broken, at the Banneker-Douglass Museum, is on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays from Feb. 13 through May 19. Maryland artist Ulysses Marshall re-imagines Frederick Douglass’ spirit through mixed-media compositions and colorful collages, depicting the triumphs, pain and hope of his life and the African-American experience. There will be an opening reception 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 17. The museum is at 84 Franklin St., Annapolis. Admission is free. For details, visit bdmuseum.maryland.gov.
There will be a special screening of a new the documentary, Atomic Homefront, 4 p.m. Sunday at the Main Auditorium of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 101 Chase St. Annapolis. Doors open at 3 p.m.
“Atomic Homefront” exposes the devastating impact of living near secretly dumped radioactive waste. Director Rebecca Cammisa will be at the screening for a Q&A session after the film. The screening was made possible through a new partnership between the Annapolis Film Festival and the Goldstein-Cunitz Center for Film & New Media at Maryland Hall. Doors open at 3pm. Buy tickets in advance at AnnapolisFilmFestival.com for $13/adult, or $10/seniors and students with ID.
Also at Maryland Hall this week is Cirque Zuma Zuma, 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Americaʹs Got Talent finalist Cirque Zuma Zuma is known as the “ultimate African circus.” This show is filled with non-stop action and African culture, including dance, acrobatics, tumbling, and music. Cirque Zuma Zuma features disciplined performers who are trained in Kenya and Tanzania. Tickets are $30. For information or tickets call 410-263-5544, or visit marylandhall.org/cirque-zuma-zuma-1 .
