Celebrate Black History Month with art, politics

Mississippi Heat headlines the 23rd annual Blues Cabaret.

UIC celebrates Black History Month in February with poetry, music, basketball, art, literature and politics.

Highlights include a speech by Donna Brazile, political strategist, author and syndicated columnist; UIC Theatre performances of “The Bluest Eye”; and the 23rd annual Blues Cabaret with Mississippi Heat.

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For events requiring admission, tickets are sold from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Student Center East first floor service center and the Student Center West first floor information center. Cash, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

For more information, call 312-413-5070.

Feb. 5

Opening reception and networking, 4 p.m. East Terrace, Student Center East

Feb. 7

Poetry Slam, featuring Mojo’s Pen, UIC’s black literary guild. 7 p.m. 605 Student Center East

Feb. 8

“Hoop It Up,” basketball game between faculty, staff and students. 6 p.m. Physical Education Building

Feb. 11

“Greek Talk: The Missing Letters.” Black college enrollment and membership in black Greek organizations. 4 p.m. Cardinal Room, Student Center East

Feb. 13

“A World of Opportunity: Enrich Your Future Through Study Abroad.” 3:30 p.m. 1-470 Daley Library

Feb. 14

Brenda Eatman Aghahowa, associate professor of English, Chicago State University; author of Grace Under Fire: Barbara Jordan’s Rhetoric of Watergate, Patriotism, and Equality. 4 p.m. 1-470 Daley Library

Feb. 15

Exhibition opening reception, “Reading with and without Dick and Jane.” The politics of identity and literacy in 20th century America. 3:30 p.m. African-American Cultural Center, Addams Hall

Feb. 19

Donna Brazile, political strategist and author. 4 p.m. Illinois Room, Student Center East

Feb. 20

“Look What We Started.” Panel discussion on the founding of UIC-based minority support programs. 3 p.m. Auditorium, School of Public Health and Psychiatric Institute

Feb. 21

Haki Madhubuti, founder and president, Third World Press, and founder, Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing, Chicago State University. 4 p.m. 1-470 Daley Library

Feb. 21

Heritage Ball. 7 p.m. Illinois Room. $10

Feb. 22

Opening night of “The Bluest Eye,” Toni Morrison’s first novel adapted for stage. 7:30 p.m. UIC Theatre. UIC students $11, faculty and staff $14, public $16. Box office 312-996-2939 or buy online

Feb. 22

23rd Annual Blues Cabaret featuring Mississippi Heat. 7 p.m. UIC Forum. Includes soul food buffet. $25 UIC faculty, staff, alumni and public; $10 UIC students at the door only (one admission per student i-card)

Feb. 26

Safe Zone 101. Raising awareness of LGBTQ issues in the African-American community. 2-5 p.m. 302 Student Center East

Feb. 28

Honors College Leadership Lecture Series: “Authentic Leadership and Service,” Diane Primo, co-founder and co-chairman, IntraLink Global, and co-chairman, Primo Center for Women and Children. 12:30 p.m. 121 Burnham Hall

Feb. 28

Black History Makers Award Ceremony honoring alumni, faculty, staff and students. 3 p.m. East Terrace, Student Center East

bflood@uic.edu