UIC celebrates Black History Month

The University of Illinois at Chicago Black History Month commemorates the culture and contributions of Africans and African Americans with the theme, “Sports, Leadership and Legends.”

Events are open to the public. Admission is free to all events except the UIC Theatre performances of “The Piano Lesson”; the UIC Jazz Ensemble performance with Robin Eubanks; the Blues Cabaret; and UIC basketball games.

Tickets for these events will be sold Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at UIC Student Center East, 1st floor, 750 S. Halsted St., and at UIC Student Center West, 1st floor, 828 S. Wolcott Ave. Cash, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

UIC students who attend and swipe their i-cards at three or more events will be entered to win a $100 gift card to the UIC Bookstore.

A complete schedule of events is available online. For more information on Black History Month programs, call (312) 413-5070.

Schedule highlights:

Tuesday, Feb. 3
Halftime Show Opening Celebration. Black History Month kick-off event features basketball shoot-out, stroll exhibition, spoken word presentations, and performance by the Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team. 3 – 5 p.m. UIC Student Center East, Illinois Room, 750 S. Halsted St.

Thursday, Feb. 5
“American Negro Exhibition.” Opening reception for UIC African American Cultural Center’s showcase of objects, images and texts that explore the legacy of the Chicago’s 1940 American Negro Exposition. Features a lecture and demonstration by Johari Jabir, UIC assistant professor of African American studies. 4:30 – 6 p.m. UIC African American Cultural Center Library, Addams Hall, Room 200, 830 S. Halsted St.

Thursday, Feb. 5
Poetry Slam. Featuring members of Mojo’s Pen, UIC’s black literary guild. 6 – 9 p.m. UIC Student Center East, Cardinal Room, 750 S. Halsted St.

Friday, Feb. 6
“Hoop It Up Basketball Classic.” Game between UIC faculty/staff, students and alumni. 6 – 9 p.m. UIC Student Recreation Facility, 737 S. Halsted St.

Saturday, Feb. 7
UIC Black Alumni Achiever Awards Luncheon. Celebrating the accomplishments of UIC alumni in education, business, medicine, law, arts and philanthropy. Scholarships funded by the Black Alumni Association will be presented to current UIC students. 11 a.m. UIC Student Center East, Room 302, 750 S. Halsted St.

Thursday, Feb. 12
“The Iconography of Contagion: Online Exhibition and WPA posters.” Multimedia presentation that explores the historic relationship between public health and visual culture. Noon – 1:30 p.m. UIC African American Cultural Center Library, Addams Hall, Room 200, 830 S. Halsted St.

Thursday, Feb. 12
Heritage Ball presented by the UIC Black Student Union. 7 – 10 p.m. UIC Student Center East, Illinois Room, 750 S. Halsted St.

Wednesday, Feb. 18
CHANCE program breakfast. 8 a.m. RSVP required. Call (312)355-5025. Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Residents’ Dining Hall, 800 S. Halsted St.

Wednesday, Feb. 18
Jazz trombonist Robin Eubanks with UIC Jazz Ensemble. 7 p.m. UIC Student Center East, Illinois Room, 750 S. Halsted St. Tickets $7 for students and seniors, $10 general public. Available online.

Thursday, Feb. 19
African American Farming Practices. Discussion featuring Carolyn Thomas, director and co-founder of God’s Gang, a nonprofit, urban farm training program for youth, and Rev. Albert Sampson, founder of George Washington Carver F.A.R.M.S. Noon – 1:30 p.m. UIC African American Cultural Center Gallery, Addams Hall, Room 207, 830 S. Halsted St.

Thursday, Feb. 19
Old School/New School Love Remixes. Throw-Back Thursdays, a monthly social and networking event for students, alumni and community hosted by the UIC African American Cultural Center. Event includes light refreshments and a DJ. 6 – 9 p.m. UIC African American Cultural Center, Addams Hall, 2nd floor, 830 S. Halsted St.

Friday, Feb. 20
“A Journey Through Time: Origins to Modern Day.” Showcase with skits, dances and poetry. 7 – 9 p.m. UIC Student Center East, Room 302, 750 S. Halsted St.

Friday, Feb. 20
“The Piano Lesson.” Opening night of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Directed by Derrick Sanders, UIC assistant professor of theatre. 7:30 p.m. UIC Theatre, 1044 W. Harrison St. Ticket information and scheduled performances: $12 students/seniors, $17 general public.

Monday, Feb. 23
“Behind Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Black Lives in the 19th Century.” Discussion on UIC’s Daley Library Special Collections exhibit “Visualizing Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” 5 – 7 p.m. UIC Richard J. Daley Library, Room 1-470, 801 S. Morgan St.

Tuesday, Feb. 24
“Dear White People.” Film screening and discussion co-facilitated by the UIC Dialogue Initiative staff. 5 – 8 p.m. UIC Student Center East, Room 605, 750 S. Halsted St.

Thursday, Feb. 26
“Community Archives.” Discussion by Skyla Hearn, UIC visiting instructor and resident archivist for social justice. Noon – 1 p.m. UIC African American Cultural Center Gallery, Addams Hall, Room 207, 830 S. Halsted St.

Thursday, Feb. 26
Black History Makers Award Ceremony. 8th annual event honoring the contributions of UIC alumni, faculty, staff and students. 3 – 5 p.m. UIC Student Center East, East Terrace, 750 S. Halsted St.

Friday, Feb. 27
25th annual and final Blues Cabaret featuring Big James and the Chicago Playboys. Opening act: LaJa’ and the Jazz Blue Band. 7 p.m. UIC Student Center East, Illinois Room, 750 S. Halsted St. $15 includes soul food buffet; UIC students free with valid i-card.

Saturday, Feb. 28
New African American Student Breakfast. UIC African American faculty invite newly admitted students and their parents to learn about the support and opportunities available at UIC. 8 a.m. – Noon. UIC Student Center East, Illinois Room, 750 S. Halsted St. RSVP is required.

Saturday, Feb. 28
UIC Men’s Basketball v.s. Wright State. 1 p.m. UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine. Tickets

Saturday, Feb. 28
UIC Women’s Basketball v.s. Wright State. 3 p.m. UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine. Tickets

Thru June 30
“American Negro Exhibition.” Features objects, images and texts that explore the legacy of the 1940 American Negro Exposition in Chicago. 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; or by appointment. UIC African American Cultural Center Library, Addams Hall, Room 200, 830 S. Halsted St.