Events Observe African-American Heritage in Wilmington NC-Cape Fear Coast
Posted: 01-26-2010 : WILMINGTON, N.C.

Wilmington & North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast is among the most historically significant African-American regions in the United States. African-American ancestry is traced back to the 1700’s, and although much important history left no visible landmark, several historical sites still exist, such as the Cape Fear Museum, Bellamy Mansion, and Thalian Hall, as well as churches, cemeteries, homes and historical markers. A new interpretive marker for the Orange Street Landing at Cape Fear site (part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, a National Park Service program) was unveiled in mid-January at the corner of Orange and Water streets. During the month of February, festivals and special events will celebrate Black History Month. Other events that commemorate African-American heritage take place throughout the year.

FEB. 1-27: “BUNCE ISLAND EXHIBIT.” This 20-panel traveling multi-media exhibit tells the story of Bunce Island in Sierra Leone, its connection to the Atlantic slave trade, its historic relationship to the rice growing regions of mainland North America, and the formation and development of the Gullah/Geeche culture. The historic presence of Gullah people and their culture in North Carolina has largely been excluded from documentary records, textbooks, and until recently, the scrutiny of professional historians. Presented by the African American Heritage Foundation of Wilmington, Inc., in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at UNC-Wilmington. Free. Randall Library, UNCW. 910-962-2170; http://library.uncw.edu/index.phtml

FEB. 8-25: ACTIVIST AUTHORS EXHIBIT. Exhibit of posters, celebrating activist authors and created by the students in Professor Diana Ashe’s spring course, ENG 318: Writing & Activism, will be on display on the Second Floor Art Wall, Randall Library. UNCW. 910-962-2170. www.uncw.edu/intprogs/IWeek.htm.

FEB. 15-20: INTERCULTURAL WEEK & FESTIVAL, 18th ANNUAL. This week-long series of films, lectures, performances, and exhibits celebrates the rich diversity of cultures within UNCW and the Wilmington Community. The week culminates on Saturday, Feb. 20 with an Intercultural Festival featuring international food, dance, music & exhibits. Saturday’s festival: 11am -3pm in UNCW’s Burney Center. Free. 910-962-3685; www.uncw.edu/intprogs/IWeek.htm

FEB. 15: LECTURE: “Joy and Justice: An Invitation to the Young to Serve the Children of the Poor.” 7pm. A Boston Public School educator during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, author Jonathan Kozol (Death at an Early Age and Letters to a Young Teacher) draws upon four decades of experience to guide teachers into the ethically complicated and passionate rewards of teaching. Admission charge. Kenan Auditorium, UNCW. 910-962-3500; www.uncw.edu/intprogs/IWeek.htm

FEB. 18: AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN. 11am-1pm. Randall Library’s African American Read-In celebrates the National African American Read-In with a focus on African American activist authors – like Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Angela Davis – whose efforts and works served as a unifying force for the African American community throughout history and furthered the cause of Civil Rights in the U.S. UNCW professors and students will lead a program of presenters/readers who will share their favorite African American activist works. Java City, Randall Library, UNCW. 910-962-2170; www.uncw.edu/intprogs/IWeek.htm

FEB. 18-21: MUSIC: “THE HOUSE THAT GORDY BUILT: A TRIBUTE TO THE MOTOWN GREATS.” 8pm (Thurs-Sat) & 3pm (Sun). Musical revue presented by Techmoja Theatre; directed by Kevin Lee-y Green. Admission charge. Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage/Community Arts Center, Wilmington. 910-341-7860.

FEB. 19-JUNE 20: EXHIBITION: “RECOLLECTION: THE PAST IS PRESENT.” This exhibition’s visual and thematic referencing of the past while being rooted firmly in the present connects the art work of Amalia Amaki, Lillian Blades and Beverly Buchanan to the historical-tinged quilts by African American women in the exhibition. The use of textural materials, color, found objects, building shapes and cultural images balance delicacy and strength while evoking the individualized stories and shared histories of the diaspora of African Americans, Africa and the Caribbean. Admission charge. Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.com

FEB. 20: CIVIL WAR LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND. 10am-4pm. To commemorate the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Forks Road come see Confederate, Union and U.S. Colored Troops re-enactors provide a glimpse into the camp life of soldiers in the late 1800s, tours of the battle grounds between the museum and Halyburton Park led by Dr. Chris Fonvielle, Civil War foodways program by the Bellamy Mansion, and hands-on family activities. Bring

the family to the museum's historic site and walk the original battlefield of the final fight for Wilmington on February 20, 1865. The site is where Major General Robert F. Hoke made his last stand against Union soldiers comprised primarily of U.S. Colored Troops. This significant skirmish followed the fall of Fort Fisher, and led to the fall of Wilmington and the final surrender by the Confederate armies. History comes to life on this informative and fun day for all! Free; donations welcome. 910-395-5999 Cameron Art Museum, www.cameronartmuseum.com.

FEB. 21: LECTURE: PROF. JOSEPH A. OPAL, CURATOR OF THE BUNCE ISLAND EXHIBIT. 3pm-5pm. Professor Joseph A. Opala of James Madison University discusses the content of the exhibit and video. Program and exhibit provide a basis for discussing important historical, cultural, and contemporary issues related to the history and culture of the Cape Fear region and the Gullah/Geeche Cultural Heritage Corridor. Free. UNCW Randall Library. 910-962-2170; http://library.uncw.edu/index.phtml

FEB. 23: FILM SCREENING: “4 Little Girls” 7pm. Lumina Theatre, UNCW. Free. Sponsored by NAACP. 910-962-4279; www.uncw.edu/stuaff/presents/lumina.htm

FEB. 25: “SPOKEN WORD: COAST POETRY JAM.” 8pm. The Coast Poetry Jam returns to CAM featuring the hottest poets in the Port City and beyond. Produced by “Yo Girl” Sandra and hosted by Bigg B. Admission charge. Cameron art Museum, Wilmington. www.blackartsalliance.org.

FEB. 27: KIDS’ BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION. 2pm-4pm. Craft activities and story time at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington will teach about African American history. Admission charge. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. 910-254-3534; www.playwilmington.org

FEB 27: MUSIC: DR. EMERY STEPHENS, BARITONE. 3pm. Dr. Emery Stephens, baritone, offers a musical overview of memory, African American culture and identity. This program is held in conjunction with CAM’s exhibition “Recollection: The Past is Present” on view February 19 – June 20, 2010. Admission charge. Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.com

ONGOING: BELLAMY MANSION MUSEUM OF HISTORY & DESIGN ARTS. A 25-panel exhibit, “African-American Architects & Builders in N.C.,” explores the lives of free and enslaved African-American artisans and builders who worked in the trades pre-Civil War. And, on the northeast corner of the Bellamy lot stands the original brick slave quarters, which is currently undergoing a major restoration. Admission charge. Bellamy Mansion, Wilmington. 910-251-3700; www.bellamymansion.org

ONGOING: CAPE FEAR MUSEUM OF HISTORY & SCIENCE. Exhibits trace African-American history in the Cape Fear region from the 1700s to 20th century. Explore the development and desegregation of New Hanover County schools through images, artifacts, personal recollections. These stories provide insight into our community’s history. Admission charge. Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, 814 Market St., Wilmington. 910-798-4350; www.CapeFearMuseum.com

COMING SOON!

MARCH 18-21: NORTH CAROLINA BLACK FILM FESTIVAL, 9th ANNUAL (formerly Cine Noir Film Festival). The NC Black Film Festival is a 4-day juried and invitational competition & screening of independent films by African-American filmmakers with guest artists, panel discussions, workshops, and more. Genres include features, shorts, animation, and documentary films. Sponsored by the Black Arts Alliance. Admission charge. Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-612-7832; www.blackartsalliance.org; www.cameronartmuseum.com

Festivals and events provide a fun and affordable way to experience a region’s history and culture. Before traveling great distances, please contact individual event organizers to confirm event status. For a complete Calendar of Events, winter packages and specials, and more information, visit www.gocapefearcoast.com. For a FREE Official Visitors Guide to Wilmington & N.C.’s Cape Fear Coast, call 1-866-266-9690 or 910-341-4030 or email visit@capefearcoast.com.