African-American History Month is being celebrated in grand style at Southwestern College during February. Most of the events are free of charge and all are open to the public.
The free events include an analysis presented by Prof. Stan James on the state of race relations today and the issues still faced. His “Hands up … Don’t Shoot … I Can’t Breathe” was presented on Tuesday. James again speaks on Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. to discuss his ideas regarding the media in “The Antidote for the Poison.”
Interested in an evening of spoken word, slam poetry and artistic word play? If so, attend “Love & Liberation Poetry” on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. In this session, Southwestern college students, along with community members and featured poets, will share their perspectives on identity and relationships with others.
The Gospel Brunch on Friday, Feb. 20, costs $20, with the proceeds going to student scholarships. African-American faculty and staff Praise Dancers will perform at the event. One of the Praise Dancers is Bertha Rose Williams, administrative secretary of the School of Language and Literature.
In regards to the February events, Williams says, “Students of all races and nationalities will get a sense of culture. As an African-American, I don’t want to be exposed only to my own culture, but learn from a variety of cultures.”
Moxie Theatre presents the play “Trouble in Mind” Feb. 25-26 at 7:30 p.m. in Mayan Hall. This event is a unique opportunity to view, free of charge, this critically acclaimed production.
In this classic piece of American theater, an African-American actress has the opportunity to perform a leading part, but she and the other characters are cast in stereotypical roles. The playwright Alice Childress was the first African-American woman to receive a professional production in New York when this play was presented in 1955. Both humorous and disturbing, the story offers insight into the lives of African-Americans at that time in our history.
Events are at Southwestern College, 900 Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista. Free parking for the events is available in lot O. Visit the website at www.swccd.edu/ for more information, including the events calendar for details and the specific locations of various events.
SWC arts calendar
Music recital series:
Southwestern College’s spring 2015 music recital series continues with Barbara Scheidker (classical piano) Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in room 801. Other performances follow on March 11 (Fremonts blues band), March 26 (Southwestern College Chamber Sings and Jazz Vocal Ensemble), April 8 (Membang Sunda traditional Sudanese music), April 22 (SWC Gospel Choir), May 6 (chamber music recital) and May 13 (music student recital). Events are free and open to the public.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE ARTS:
This black tie fundraising arts gala will take place Feb. 28 at the Mission Valley Hilton. Cost is $95. The event includes dinner, wine tasting and dancing. Proceeds benefit Southwestern College student scholarships and arts programs. The Mission Valley Hilton is located at 901 Camino del Rio South, San Diego. For more information, contact Micah Truitt at mtruitt@swccd.edu.
