This January marks the North Carolina Museum of History’s 20th presentation of the African American Cultural Celebration, an event that recognizes the contributions of African Americans, past and present, and the impacts they have made and continue to make to North Carolina’s history and culture. This year’s celebration will be held only as a virtual experience and is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with digital platforms providing community organizations, authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and scholars opportunities to showcase their skill, knowledge, and culture.
While this year’s annual festival will be held entirely online—to ensure the safety of presenters, guests, and staff—the museum has worked to ensure that an assortment of interactive activities continues! You’ll still be able to engage with live-streamed events that include performances, panel discussions, and inspiring music, but you can do so from anywhere in the state and from the safety and comfort of your home. All interactive sessions are free but require advance registration. Attendance to some live programs may be limited. You can watch additional on-demand videos any time.
“While we won’t be able to celebrate in person this year, we are thrilled to virtually continue our 20-year tradition of showcasing the talents of African American artists and performers, amplifying the voices of African American authors and community activists, and highlighting the little-known or untold Black history and scholarship from across the state,” says Alyson Vuley, Community Programs and Festivals Coordinator for the North Carolina Museum of History.
Registration is required for all live sessions of the celebration. While all events are free, space may be limited. Be sure to sign up today!
While this year’s theme is Health and Healing, which includes a range of discussions on health and wellness, information about health disparities, and suggestions for promoting and preserving their health, highlights of the virtual festival will also invite you to
- listen to 105 Voices of History, a national initiative to provide members of HBCU choirs one voice and increase the visibility of their valuable talents, as they perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing”;
- dance along to the Allen Boys, a sacred steel band from Mount Airy;
- celebrate literature and the spoken word with the North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers;
- watch Neal Thomas create a beautiful basket from parts of a white oak tree; and
- enjoy the dance film Remembrance—choreographed by Tamara Williams, performed by students in the dance program at the University of North Carolina–Charlotte, and recorded by Charlotte filmmaker Marlon Morrison—which honors Ring Shout traditions.
For a fun, educational, and safe experience, register for your virtual seat today so you’ll have access to the on-demand videos and interactive live-streams that you want to take part in during the 20th annual African American Cultural Celebration. Register, and find a full schedule of all performances and presentations at NC-AACC.com (https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/aacc-2021/schedule-of-events). Become a museum member during this virtual festival, and get your MOHA/museum membership for half price—so you can support community and educational outreach programs, like this one!
Held in partnership with the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission and sponsored, in part, by the City of Raleigh, based on the recommendation of the Raleigh Arts Commission; the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County; the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission; WakeMed Health and Hospitals; Publix; and Wegmans.
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