SSU teams up with the community to put on a number of events and lectures to educate and entertain during Black History Month
in February.
The schedule includes:
Opening Ceremony. noon-1 p.m., Feb. 1, Stevenson Quad - Kick off Black History Month with a march into the quad with the Ma Gator New Orleans Band. This year the theme is Mardi Gras.
"I Am Always the One I Wanted To Marry": 7p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, Ives 101: Through a thought-provoking performance, MilDRED (aka DRED) questions the naturalized binaries of gender and sexuality, while highlighting the performativity of gender and sexuality. Using poetry, music, comedy, and movement as educational tools, MilDRED expresses the way in which discovering her "male" persona "DRED" has refashioned the gendered notions of her sexual and spiritual self. An effective pedagogical tool, this performance makes theories of gender and sexuality tangible for students of various disciplines, and is accessible to a wide range of audiences. Free
Caribbean Steel Drum, Darwin Quad, Noon-1 p.m, Feb. 7 (National Black/Aids Awareness Day hosted by Black Scholars United)
"Skin", 7 p.m., Feb. 7, Ives 101 (Movie)
"1st Class Jails, 2nd Class Schools" with Dr. Marc Lamont Hill: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m., Cooperage: Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is one of the leading hip-hop generation intellectuals in the country. His work, which covers topics such as culture, politics, and education, has appeared in numerous journals, magazines, books, and anthologies. Hill has lectured widely and provides regular commentary for media outlets like NPR, Washington Post, Essence Magazine, and the New York Times. He is the host of the nationally syndicated television show Our World With Black Enterprise, which airs Sunday mornings on TV One and broadcast markets around the country. An award-winning writer, Dr. Hill is a columnist and editor-at-large for the Philadelphia Daily News. Since 2009, Hill has been on the faculty of Columbia University as Associate Professor of Education at Teachers College. He also holds an affiliated faculty appointment in African American Studies at the Institute for Research in African American Studies at Columbia University. Hill will be speaking about the how much financial focus is given to the prison system while the educational system is continually on the chopping block. Free for students and faculty, $10 general admission. Hill will also host a workshop with Greek life to discuss Black Greek Letter Organizations and their importance on college campuses,3-4 p.m. Multi-purpose room, Student Union.
Poetry Lounge: 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, The Pub: Listen to live music and poetry with Alysia Harris while enjoying light refreshments and relaxing conversation. Alysia Harris is a wordsmith who is currently a graduate student at Yale University pursuing a Ph.D in linguistics. Though she may approach the use of language from an analytical perspective as linguist, as a poet she does her best to utilize language as a creative probe to explore the emotional, spiritual, and social realms of the human experience. Free
R&B/Soul, Darwin Quad, Noon.-1 p.m, Feb. 14
The Experience - Wonder what life would be like without Black people? Come find out as we take you on a powerful journey to show you how life as we all know it would be affected without the many contributions of African-Americans. 7 p.m., Feb. 15, Cooperage.
Black Panther Re-Enactment, Noon, Feb, 16, Stevenson Quad - Black Scholars United highlight the Black Panther Party.
"Reels of Resistance: Film IS Social Justice Activism for LGBTQ Communities of Color," Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, noon-1 p.m., Feb. 16, Stevenson 1002.
Bury the Hatchet - "Aaron Walker's new film takes you deep into the heart of New Orleans to discover a celebration hidden from mainstream Mardi Gras. Each year, members of a predominantly African-American neighborhood dress up as Indians to honor the Native American communities that harbored blacks escaping from slavery. A Mardi Gras tradition that dates back to the mid-19th century, the 'Indians' have created a highly intricate structure, with over 40 'tribes' featuring hierarchical roles such as chief, medicine man and flag boy. Through Walker's portrayal, audiences experience the rich history and struggles this community has faced. Enduring street violence, police harassment and Hurricane Katrina's devastation, the Mardi Gras 'Indians' find the strength to carry on their traditions. Bury the Hatchet also presents a soundtrack of rare music passed down through generations, many of the songs having never been written down or recorded before the 1970s." - Heather Haynes, HOT DOCS. Presented by Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17 and 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19. Tickets: $6 general; $5, seniors, SSU faulty and staff, non-SSU students with ID; $4, SFI members, children under 12. Free to SSU students with ID.
ASP Takeover - Live dancehall reggae with the internationally acclaimed reggae artist, Rankin Scroo. Scroo has worked with Bay Area heavyweights such as E-40 and Digital underground's Money-B, just to name a few. Free. 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17, Student Union.
"Four Little Girls" 7 p.m., Feb. 20, Darwin 102 (Movie)
Twice As Good (Blues), Noon, Darwin Quad, Feb. 21
Martin Luther King Day Speech Competition, 7 p.m., Feb. 21, Cooperage
Soul Food Dinner, 5 p.m., Feb. 22, Zinfandel Cafeteria
Black History Month Comedy Jam -
Comedian Clinton Jackson, known from such shows as "Nick Freno" and "That's So Raven" will be performing. The show is free, but space is limited so get tickets from the Student Union now. 8 p.m. , Feb. 23, Pub.
Freaks and Geeks Part 4 - One of the best parties at SSU is back with popular Bay Area Dj, DJ Shabazz! Tickets: $10 pre-sale, $15 door. 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Feb. 24, Commons.
"Sexual Intelligence: America's War on Sex and How it Undermines Student Sexuality" - Marty Klein uses straightforward political humor to explain how financial connections between our government and religious groups are restricting and changing Americans relationship to sexuality. Free tickets from the Student Union. 7 p.m., Feb. 27, Cooperage.
Ric Alexander, Darwin Quad, Noon, Feb. 28 (Smooth Jazz)
"Fab 5," 7 p.m., Feb. 28, Ives 101, (Movie)
Closing Ceremony,
A night of celebration as we remember our past and embrace our furture with poetry, song and dance. Free. 7:30 p.m., Feb. 29, Ives 101.