A Black History and Heritage Day, an evening of poetry and song, a documentary film, a solo show, a cemetery tour and three presentations make up the very ambitious schedule in celebration of BC Black History Month February 2013 in Victoria.
Many people are not even aware of the significant role black citizens played in the establishment of the City of Victoria– including the founding of a precursor to the Victoria Police Department; nor that they were some of the first settlers and farmers on Salt Spring Island.
Many events are by donation. All events at the Greater Victoria Public Library are by donation and require pre-registration – call 250-727-0104 or register online by clicking on Programs and Events at www.gvpl.ca
BC Black History and Heritage Day
Saturday February 2nd
James Bay New Horizons Centre, 234 Menzies Street.
Admission by donationFeatured Speaker:
2 pm John Adams
Historian, author, raconteur of ghost stories and ghost tour guide presentsVictoria’s Black Pioneers in the 1860s.
Displays from:
BC Black History Awareness Society
Old Cemeteries Society
Saanich Pioneers Society
United Empire Loyalists
Victoria Genealogical Society
Victoria Historical Society“Go Do Some Great Thing” documentary film by Anthony Brown
Monday, February 4th Noon – 1:00 pm
Greater Victoria Central Library, 735 BroughtonThe film focuses on black pioneers and settlers in Victoria, Saanich, and Salt Spring Island. It was produced and directed by African-Canadian, Anthony Brown,Vancouver.
He was inspired to do the film afer a chance encounter with the granddaughter of Sylvia Stark from Salt Spring Island. It is based on the book, by the same name, written by Crawford Kilian, Canadian author and professor.
An Evening of Gospel, Jazz, Blues and Poetry
Monday, February 4, 7:00 pm(doors open at 6pm)
Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue
Phone: 250-385-6815 for information.
Admission by DonationAdelene da Soul Poet 7pm
Chance Lovett Quartet 8pmCo-sponsored by the BC Black History Awareness Society, Greater Victoria Public Library and Belfry Arts Centre
Adelene da Soul Poet— is a member of Great Black North, Contemporary African Canadian Poets whose anthology launches this month.
Chance Love’, Vocalist, from the Conservatory of Music is joined by Nicholas Mintenko (Bass), Sean Thompson (Drums) and Dakota Hoeppner (Keyboard). The Chance Love- Quartet looks forward to celebrating black history with you through a soulful set of gospel, jazz and blues
Black History Presentation: The Underground Railroad
Thursday, February 7th, 7:00 –8:30 pm
Nellie McClung Library, 3950 Cedar Hill Rd.Ron Nicholson, a fourth-generation Canadian, can trace his ancestry back to his great-grandfather, Adam Nicholson, who escaped from slavery in West Virginia and came to Canada around 1854 travelling on the “Underground Railroad.” Ron presents information and photos of the informal network of secret routes and safe houses used in the 1800’s by over 30,000 Black slaves in the United States escaping to free states and Canada.
BC Black History Presentation: Celebrate Black History Month
Wednesday, February 13th 7:00 – 8:30 pm Bruce Hutchison Library, 4636 Elk Lake Drive, Saanich Commonwealth Place
Join Dr. Valin Marshall as he shares stories of BC Black pioneers—who they were and why they came.
Call Mr.Robeson – A Life, With Song.
February 20th, 8pm
Metro Studio, 1411 Quadra St.
Tickets $22 + $2 advance booking fee.
Ticket Rocket online or by phone: 250 590 6291Co-sponsored by BC Black History Awareness Society and Intrepid Theatre
Written and performed by: Tayo Aluko
Piano Accompaniment by: Michael Conliffe
Directed by: Olus Olaoyeleye
Designed by: Phil NewmanPaul Robeson is a great and famous actor, singer and civil rights campaigner whose life is written and acted by Tayo Aluko. A roller coaster journey through a remarkable and eventful life highlights how his radical activism caused him to be disowned and disremembered, even by the leaders and descendants of the civil rights movement. It features much ?ery oratory and some of his famous songs, including a dramatic rendition of Ol’ Man River
Ross Bay Cemetery Tour
Sunday, February 24th 2:00 – 3:30 pm(rain or shine). Meet in front of Oregano’s, FairfieldVillage, 1-1516 Fairfield Rd.A guided tour of the graves of many Black citizens of long-ago Victoria.
Hosted by Valin Marshall and John Adams.
No reservations needed.
Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour to purchase your ticket
$5/person. $2 OCS, BCBHAS members.BC Black History Presentation, “Black Pioneers of the Area”
Wednesday, February 27th 7:00-8:30 pm
Saanich Centennial Library, 3110 Tillicum RoadKaren Hoshal, a Past President of the BC Black History Awareness Society and a descendant of the Alexander Pioneer Family, provides information on her Personal Ancestors and other BC Black Pioneers.
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