Dutchess Community College Events to Celebrate Black History Month
January 25, 2016 – A lecture and discussion about the Black Lives Matter movement, an evening of cultural dance and a gospel celebration are just a few of the 13 activities Dutchess Community College is offering to mark Black History Month. All of the events will be held at DCC’s Poughkeepsie campus and are free and open to the public.
The Black Lives Matter lecture and discussion is scheduled for Feb. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Bowne Hall, room 122. The presentation will address the Black Lives Matter movement, its purpose and its validity, and the “All Lives Matter” response that has emerged. Then, the panelists and audience will discuss the differences, if any, between Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter, as well as why the Black Lives Matter movement has taken hold.
The Cultural Dance Expressions, always a popular event, is scheduled for Feb. 20,
4 to 6 p.m., in the James and Betty Hall Theatre in Dutchess Hall. The show will incorporate both classic and modern dance genres. Dance troupes, teams and individuals will perform African, Caribbean, Liturgical, modern, ballet, tap, hip hop and other popular styles.
The Gospel celebration will be held Feb. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the James and Betty Hall Theatre in Dutchess Hall. The show will feature soloists, praise dancers, and youth and adult choirs from local churches. After the concert, refreshments will be served in the Ritz Lounge.
The full list of DCC Black History Month activities is below and on the events calendar at www.sunydutchess.edu.
For more information about any of the events, please contact Jordan Bell at (845) 431-8424.
Tuesday, February 2
Kwanzaa Celebration at DCC
12:30-2 p.m., Dutchess Hall, Room 101
Attendees will celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, Self Determination, Creative Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith
Thursday, February 4
Lyceum – Baba Neil Clarke, “Rhythm and Identity”
12:30 p.m., James and Betty Hall Theatre, Dutchess Hall
Baba Neil Clarke is an internationally noted percussionist, who has been a student of his craft for more than 50 years. He studied through long term apprenticeships with Chief James Hawthorne Bey among others, and an immersion in the rich cultural environments which surround his craft. The majority of Clarke’s professional life has consisted of exploring the source, structure and foundations of the rhythmic dimensions of African culture in the Diaspora and supporting their presence in contemporary music contexts, most recently using his artistry in the jazz idiom for NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston. His work with Harry Belafonte (1979-1994) allowed Clarke’s music to have a social and political impact. Currently, as an adjunct professor in the Music Department at CCNY since 2004, Clarke conducts a popular course of his own design on Traditional African Percussion Ensemble performance and theory.
Friday, February 5
Lecture – Dr. Don Quinn Kelley, “Julian Bond: Redefining Social Justice”
12-12:50 p.m., Bowne Hall, Room 122
Dr. Don Quinn Kelley’s presentation will focus on Julian Bond’s contributions to the Civil Rights movement, as well as his lasting legacy. Kelley is a historian and filmmaker and professor emeritus at City University of New York where he was a founding faculty member of Medgar Evers College, coordinated Historical Studies, directed the Digital Media Center, formed partnerships with museums in the United States and the Caribbean, earned national recognition for creating digital coursework in history and retired as chairperson of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies after 35 years of service. Kelley’s film, print and CD publications have focused on African Americans and the African Diaspora; dance, music and theater; sustainable development in Central America; and Japanese identity.
Thursday, February 11
Lyceum – Michael Lord, “Slavery in the Hudson Valley”
12:30 p.m., James and Betty Hall Theatre, Dutchess Hall
The Igbo of eastern Nigeria have a saying: “Until lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” Although the history of enslavement in the Hudson River Valley is well-documented and researched, its existence and significance to New York’s commercial and cultural development continues to be obscured, ignored or misunderstood by many. Michael A. Lord, associate director of Content Development at Historic Hudson Valley, will examine the issues, events and individual choices surrounding enslavement in the Hudson Valley from the perspective of the enslaved. Lord’s presentation traces the development of slavery in New York state, everyday life for those enslaved in the Hudson River Valley, resistance to the institution, and why this most American of stories continues to be relevant.
Friday, February 12
Kevin Lang, B.B. King Workshop
12-12:50 p.m., Bowne Hall, Room 122
This program will celebrate the life and music of B. B. King, who passed away in 2015.
Tuesday, February 16
Dr. Weldon McWilliams IV, “Black Lives Matter Versus All Lives Matter,” followed by a Panel Discussion/Open Forum
6-8 p.m., James and Betty Hall Theatre, Dutchess Hall
This presentation will address the Black Lives Matter movement, its purpose and its validity, and the “All Lives Matter” response that has emerged. Then, the panelists and audience will discuss the differences, if any, between Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter, as well as why the Black Lives Matter movement has taken hold.
Friday, February 19
Jordan Bell, Diversity Workshop
12-12:50 p.m., Bowne Hall, Room 122
This workshop will consist of various group activities, using the Sequential Approach to Learning, that are designed to heighten awareness to (potential) implicit biases as well as strategies to help minimize their effects and impacts.
Saturday, February 20
Family Festival – “Story Faces”
11 a.m., James and Betty Hall Theatre, Dutchess Hall
“Story Faces” is a one-of-a-kind performance to inspire and delight any audience. Volunteers are brought on stage and face-painted to illustrate the stories as they’re told, fully engaging the audience with a skillful spoken-word performance combined with unique visual and traditional folktales and original stories.
Saturday, February 20
An Evening of Cultural Dance Expressions
4-6 p.m., James and Betty Hall Theatre, Dutchess Hall
This show is designed to celebrate the contributions of, and illuminate the experiences of, African Americans. Local dance ensembles and DCC students will join together for an amazing, collaborative dance extravaganza that draws on such dance genres as African, ballet, hip hop, jazz, liturgical and modern. This event is lively and fun for the entire family.
Sunday, February 21
Community Gospel Celebration
4-6 p.m., James and Betty Hall Theatre, Dutchess Hall
The show will feature soloists, praise dancers and youth and adult choirs from local churches. After the concert, food will be served in the Ritz Lounge.
Tuesday, February 23
African Market: A marketplace of diverse goods
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Ritz Lounge, Dutchess Hall
Vendors will offer fashion accessories, African-American art, music, jewelry, food, hair products and more. For more information, Call Carmen McGill at (845) 431-8017.
Thursday, February 25
Prose and Spirituals
12:30-2:00 p.m., Ritz Lounge, Dutchess Hall: The annual event is a celebration of music and poetry contributions inspired by the African-American experience – both past and present. The concert includes vocal music by the DCC Choral Ensembles, under the direction of Ann Foster. The poetry readings include students selected by Kevin Lang, English and Humanities professor.
Friday, February 26
Lecture – “Voting and the Black Community” by Esmerelda Simmons, Esq., executive director for law and justice at Medgar Evers College, CUNY
12-12:50 p.m., Bowne Hall, Room 122
Simmons will discuss the past and current impacts of redlining, voter registration and other voter issues affecting the black community and the nation.
For more information about any of the events, please contact Jordan Bell at (845) 431-8424.
