The public is invited to join in the events scheduled at the Harrisburg, Gettysburg, Lancaster and York Campuses.
"We have an exciting schedule of events and programs lined up at HACC campuses that are entertaining and educational," said Robert William, Director, HACC Office of Multicultural Affairs and International Education.
Several soloists and groups from the region are participating in "Lift Every Voice and Sing: Our Journey through Song" from 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center on the Harrisburg Campus. "Nayo's Wototo," a young group of African drummers, sets the pace during the opening followed by spirituals highlighting soloists, spoken word and songs, interpretative dance by Juilliard-educated Jason Reed.
After an intermission, the focus will be on traditional gospel of the 1960s and '70s and contemporary gospel. Performers range in age from 9 to 80 years old.
During the intermission, an array of African-American quilts will be on display in Room 103 of Rose Lehrman Arts Center with quilt handlers on hand to explain information pertaining to the artists and other items of interest. For those who would like to view the African-American Quilt display early, the door will open at 4 p.m.
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" aims to create inspiration and provide education for the audience, said LaQuita Graves, HACC's Multicultural Events Coordinator. The event is co-sponsored by the Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs in partnership with BARAK, a nonprofit arts based community service organization that celebrates diversity through the performing arts.
Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Tickets are available at these Harrisburg locations: Mr. Mike's Record Store, 72 S. Third St, 234-3181; Church World, 323 Reily St., 238-1000; The Music Man, 16 Kline Plaza, 233-4236, and HACC's Office of Multicultural Affairs located in Cooper Student Center, Room 107A, at the Harrisburg Campus.
Several additional events in observation of Black History Month are planned. The lineup by campus:
Harrisburg Campus
Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Cooper Student Center: Student talent auditions with BARAK. Soul Food also will be available for purchase.
Wednesday, Feb. 20, from noon-1:30 p.m., Cooper Student Center: American Legion Post 733's "Youth Soul Steppers" will perform. Soul Food also will be available for purchase.
Tuesday, Feb. 26, from noon-1:15 p.m., Cooper Student Center: Preview of the DVD, "SoulMate: A Journey of Love ... An African American Experience," followed by a panel discussion.
Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Cooper Student Center: Preview of the DVD, "Power to End Stroke," followed by a panel discussion led by Lisa Dees of Women on the Move. Heart Health food samples will be available for those who attend.
For more information about events at the Harrisburg Campus, call LaQuita Graves at 780-1908 or 780-3276.
Lancaster Campus
Two separate events will mark Black History month at the Lancaster Campus, including a showing of the documentary about the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education and a presentation about the Underground Railroad in Lancaster County by a storyteller in period costume.
Wednesday, Feb. 6, from noon-1:30 p.m. in Room 203 in the East Building: The HBO civil rights documentary, "Little Rock Central High: 50 Years Later," revisits the historical transformation of the South following the 1954 Supreme Court ruling of Brown v. Board of Education. The film is free to the public.
"This documentary does a wonderful job of investigating an important historical event and its aftermath while commenting on broader issues of race, class and education in modern America," said Christina Oscsodal, Multicultural Affairs Coordinator at the Lancaster Campus.
Wednesday, Feb. 27, from noon-1 p.m. in Room 203 in the East Building: Phoebe Bailey, guest speaker and living history re-enactor, will present "Living the Experience: The Underground Railroad." Bailey, who is executive director of Bethel Harambee Historical Services at Bethel AME Church, Lancaster, will be dressed in period costume and focus on the African experience of the Underground Railroad in Lancaster County.
The audience also will listen to her perform spirituals of enslaved Africans for encoded messages and explore historic accounts of various travelers as their stories are brought to life. This is a condensed version of the drama presentation developed by Bethel AME Church and presented worldwide. This the eighth year of production of the re-enactment about the life and times of the free and enslaved Africans of Lancaster City and county. This performance is free and open to the public.
For more information, call the Lancaster Campus at 385-2263.
York Campus
The public is invited join students at events next month highlighting Black History Month at the York Campus, including a Soul Food Dinner and a Step Show by the South Side Steppers from Crispus Attucks Association.
A Kick Off Event will be held from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the lobby of the Student Commons to provide students more information about these events, with tickets on sale for the Soul Food Dinner. In addition, "Black History Month Fact of the Day" will be unveiled. Each day during February, a new fact about black history will be displayed. Black History Month posters will be displayed around the campus as well.
Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m., in the Student Commons: The public is invited to join students and faculty for a Soul Food Dinner, which will include chicken, pork ribs, collard greens, baked sweet potatoes, mac-and-cheese, corn bread, drinks and dessert. Executive Director Adrienne McNeil of York County Community Against Racism will give a brief welcome.
Those who plan to attend must purchase a ticket ($3 per person) due to limited seating. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Connie Ludwig at 718-0328, ext. 3551, or via e-mail: cmludwi3@hacc.edu.
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m. in the Student Commons: The South Side Steppers from Crispus Attucks will perform, followed by a dessert social. Faculty, staff, students and the public are invited to this free event.
Gettysburg Campus
HACC Gettysburg is also planning a series of events that jointly celebrate Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March. Details are to be announced.
For more information, call the Gettysburg Campus at 337-3855.
In addition to contacting your local campus, you can also send an email to event coordinator Laquita Graves using the email address below.