If you aren’t taking advantage of the free resources the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has to offer…what are you waiting for? You can do a lot more than just borrow books. For the month of February, the library has curated a list of free events in honor of Black History Month. From letting your creative side take over, to learning about the Black experience in America, and hearing from a local author, there’s plenty to fill your schedule. Along the way you’ll pick little facts you didn’t know before thanks to the entertaining learning environment the library provides.
Black History Month: 30 Books in 30 Minutes
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Homewood, February 3
Looking for a good book recommendation to celebrate Black History Month? The library staff takes on the challenge of recommending 30 books in 30 minutes, all by African American authors.
Book Club: Poems by Danez Smith
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Squirrel Hill, February 6
This Book Club event is for all you poetry lovers out there. Gather together to discuss poems by Smith’s book, Don’t Call Us Dead, which explores the life experiences of diverse people. Reading materials will be distributed at the meeting so don’t worry about reading ahead of time…unless you want to!
PBJ Customs Presents: Color Me Divine
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland), February 6
Dive into your own creativity and create a piece of art that represents whatever’s on your mind. Explore self-care options through semi-guided projects: you might just discover something new about yourself.
Cue’s Creative Workshops for Kids
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Homewood, February 8
Let your little ones explore their creative side with library card artist, Cue Perry. Kids will learn drawing, painting, and color theory as a helpful start. Then, they’ll get to create whatever their imagination comes up with.
Page Turners Book Club: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland), February 8
In honor of Black History Month, this Page Turners Book Club discussion is centered around The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. The book tells tales of relationships, redemption, racism, and the American dream from a community of Black and Jewish residents in the 1920s and 1930s.
An Afternoon with Terrance Hayes
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland) Lecture Hall, February 10
Poet and author of Watch Your Language, Terrance Hayes sits down for a multi-media author event and Q&A. Some of the event topics will cover Hayes’ writing style and turn of phrase along with what it means to be an artist and a Black man.
Azure Family Concerts
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Hill District, February 16
Azure presents an interactive, sensory-friendly live music program celebrating African American musicians and composers. Bring the kiddos along for a fun time moving to the beats and making music of their own.
Local Author Event: D. Angel
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – South Side, February 17
In his first novel, Through the Test of Time, Angel shares the story of his journey leaving prison in order to help others change their ways and stay out of prison themselves. Now he returns to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh with a reading from his follow-up book, Through the Test of Time II: As Time Went On.
Movie Matinee: Whitney Houston: I Want to Dance With Somebody
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown, February 20
Bask in the glory of Whitney’s rise to fame in the biopic Whitney Houston: I Want to Dance With Somebody. Celebrate her exciting music, gorgeous stage presence, and of course, Black History Month.
Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures “Made Local” – Cameron Barnett
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland) Lecture Hall, February 29
Cameron Barnett is a poet and teacher from Pittsburgh whose newest poetry book Murmur explores the complexities of race and body as a Black man in contemporary America. Join him for a conversation about his new work, and an overall view of the treatment of Black men throughout history.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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