February is Black History Month. Black History Month is a month of observance dedicated to the education and celebration of Black history through the uplifting and support of black voices. Here in Santa Cruz County, various organizations are hosting events to share Black history with the community. Here is a list of events in Santa Cruz County that community members are encouraged to attend. Join us in celebrating Black history this month, and all year round!
*None of the events below are hosted by Monarch Services*
Museum of Art & History: Troubled Waters: The Ocean as Contested Space in Surf Culture
“Troubled Waters: The Ocean as Contested Space in Surf Culture is a presentation, Q & A and community discussion about diversity and racism in surfing. Join surfers and activists Esabella Bonner (Black Surf Club Santa Cruz), Kayiita Johnson (Black Surfers), surfer, historian and anthropologist Paul Richardson, and artist/activist David “Dáithí’ Crellin, creator of Decolonize The Surf, as they explore the history of representation in surfing and lead a conversation with the audience on what we all can do to make contemporary surf culture more inclusive and welcoming to all.
This event is in conjunction with Porter College, and the Department of Performance, Play and Design at University of California Santa Cruz.”
When: Friday, February 17th, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Where: MAH Garden Room, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Follow this link to register: click here
BBQueer Fest Documentary Premiere
“BBQueer ALL YEAR’s mission is to create and maintain Queer/BIPOC-centered programming throughout the year, not just during the four-day festival.
The first event will be, LIBERATING MOVEMENT: Black, Brown, and Queer all over, a documentary screening, live performance, and conversation. Celebrating the origin story of BBQueer Fest, this short documentary shares the vision and drive behind the annual festival creating spaces for the BIPOC queer community to feel seen, affirmed, included and safe here in Santa Cruz County. Through workshops, art, and performance Black, Brown, and Queer folks allow their bodies to become a vehicle for expression, moving freely and unapologetically to find home within themselves.”
When: Sunday, February 19th, 7:00 PM
Where: Indexical, 1050 River Street #119 Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2023 MLK March for the Dream
“Join us for the 2023 MLK March for the Dream on Monday, Feb 20th at 10am in downtown Santa Cruz at Cathcart and Pacific. After march events will be held at the Civic with an amazing lineup of speakers.”
When: Monday, February 20th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Cathcart and Pacific, 233 Cathcart Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO PUT ON THE MARCH. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
IF YOUR GROUP WOULD LIKE TO MARCH PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
INDIVIDUALS THAT WISH TO MARCH DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER.
A Diaspora Journey – World Premiere!
“A five-part musical suite, A Diaspora Journey explores the myriad musical traditions – spanning time and continents – to reflect the many ways that Black people and cultures have expressed and told their stories. The suite blends and integrates musical traditions from throughout the African Diaspora; highlighting similarities in rhythms, melody, and harmony that are found in different regions and that continue to evolve and change with each coming generation. This concert is the world-premiere of this suite, which was commissioned by Kuumbwa Jazz. Composer and flutist Elena Pinderhughes has composed the suite with musical collaborator and guitarist Lionel Loueke.”
When: Monday, February 20th, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
$42–$21 Tickets & Info
39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Convocation (Virtual)
“The annual convocation celebrates the life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by presenting speakers who discuss the civil rights issues of equality, freedom, justice, and opportunity. The convocation also seeks to build partnerships and develop dialogue within the campus community and with the local communities served by the university. This year we welcome big data expert, math professor, and host of NOVA Wonders, Talithia Williams.”
When: Tuesday, February 21st, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Click here for Zoom
Bending the Arc of Justice: Reimagining the Criminal System
“Just in time for Black History Month, Santa Cruz Black is partnering with the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender to kick off Santa Cruz County’s Strengthening The Sixth: Building Cases and Community Through Holistic Defense training. This evening celebration at the Resource Center for Nonviolence will bring together national criminal defense leaders from around the country, local leaders, activists, and organizers, defenders, and a broad swath of community members interested in transforming the criminal legal system to elevate justice.”
When: February 23rd, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Follow this link to register: click here
“Pipeline” by Dominique Morisseau
“Presented by:
Department of Performance, Play & Design
A mother’s hopes for her son clash with an educational system rigged against him in PIPELINE, the riveting new play by Dominique Morisseau (Skeleton Crew).
Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher, is committed to her students but desperate to give her only son Omari opportunities they’ll never have. When a controversial incident at his upstate private school threatens to get him expelled, Nya must confront his rage and her own choices as a parent. But will she be able to reach him before a world beyond her control pulls him away?”
When: Fri Feb 24, 7:30 p.m.
Sat Feb 25, 7:30 p.m.
Sun Feb 26, 3:00 p.m.
Fri Mar 3, 7:30 p.m.
Sat Mar 4, 7:30 p.m.
Sun Mar 5, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Theater Arts Center, 441 Kerr Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Tickets required for entry and available for purchase at UCSCtickets.com. Tickets are available online only and there will be no sales window or will-call tickets for pick up at the event.
Unapologetically Black Exhibition
“Unapologetically Black consists of an exhibition, performances, and community dialogue that express and represent the rich cultural heritage of Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area’s Black visual and performing artists.”
When: February 24th – April 8th
Where: Santa Cruz Art League, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
*All resources and events found through United Way of Santa Cruz County, NAACP Santa Cruz County, and Santa Cruz Black. Please visit their websites for more information and resources.*