Montréal celebrates Black History Month 2015

Montréal’s 24th annual Black History Month features 28 days packed with museum and art gallery exhibitions, lectures, special events and concerts throughout the city in February. This year’s theme is “Stand for something” (“Défends tes convictions”), which was inspired by activist Malcolm X, who was assassinated 50 years ago.

“We wanted to pay tribute to the leader that is Malcolm X,” says Michael P. Farkas, president of Montréal’s Round Table on Black History Month. “His detractors tried to cast a shadow on a considerable legacy. This edition is a chance to commemorate X’s fight for the right to justice and equality, which led to a global mobilisation through the affirmation and inclusion of Black communities. Stand for Something represents the civil actions that resulted in great common good.”

This year’s celebrity spokespersons are singer-songwriters Valérie Daure (formerly of Dubmatique and Bran Van 3000), and soul man Alan Prater. “It’s an honour to lend my voice to this crucial event,” says Prater, longtime musician for Michael Jackson and whose R’n’B band  JAMAD (which features bass player Al Baculis, drummer Max Sansalone and Tina Turner’s piano player, Joel Campbell) headlines Rosalie’s Bar (1232 De la Montagne Street) every Thursday beginning at 9 p.m.

Over 100 organizations are participating in Montréal’s Black History Month this year. Here are some other choice picks:

Have Fingers, Will Travel This homage-exhibition pays tribute to legendary jazz pianist Oliver Jones, a child prodigy born and raised in Montréal’s Little Burgundy neighbourhood who conquered the world with music. Jones turns 80 in 2015 and the 11 exhibition boards on display at Montréal City Hall from January 30 to February 12 trace the storied career of the famed Montréal jazzman. Free admission. www.oliverjonesexpo.ca.

Cinéma Muet (Silent Film) From Feb. 6 to 13, the Cinémathèque Québécoise will screen four silent-film sessions dedicated to productions made by African-American filmmakers during the 1920s. These will feature rare, exceptional and fascinating documents on loan from the Library of Congress (Washington D.C.) and the George Eastman House (Rochester, NY), including a work by pioneer Oscar Micheaux. Admission: $10.

Still I Rise An evening of performances interpreting Black resistance and achievements embodied in the poetry of Maya Angelou. Performances by Black Theatre Workshop, entertainers Jonathan Emile, Coco Thompson and many others, at the Universal Negro Improvement Association (2741 Notre-Dame Street West), February 20 at 6 p.m. Free admission.

Massimadi Montréal · Festival international des films LGBT afro-caribéens is Canada’s only Black LGBT film festival, and tackles racism and homophobia on the big screen. This year’s 7th annual edition runs February 17 to 28.

Fantôme du musée (Phantom of the Museum) Slavewoman Marie-Josephe Angélique burnt down Old Montréal in 1734 as she tried to escape her master, and her execution would ignite a fire in the heart of a nation. In this French production, actress Johanne Ductan portrays Angélique, February 13 and 21 at the Musée de la Femme (2380 Roland-Therrien Boulevard) located in the Montréal suburb of Longueuil.

Gospel Fever Foot-stomping Montréal gospel choirs will raise the roof at Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (400 Saint-Paul Street East) in Old Montréal February 20, 21, 27, 28. Admission: $15.

Check out all Montréal 2015 Black History Month events at moishistoiredesnoirs.com/en.