Columbia Black History Month events celebrate with art, music

Making the most of Black History Month, Columbia organizations are celebrating through rich, personal expressions. Visual art, music and good conversation will attend these events and await your presence. Here are just seven of the creative moments on approach.

Friday: Columbia Community Gospel Choir reunion

Celebrating a full decade of musical memories, this prelude to a Saturday concert is a sort of homecoming. Former and current choir members, instrumentalists, friends and supporters are invited to enjoy live music, recollections, refreshments and more. 7:30 p.m. at Columbia College’s Dorsey Gymnasium; $10. https://www.choralartsallianceofmissouri.org/caam-concerts/

Saturday: Columbia Community Gospel Choir Unity concert

After the party, enjoy the performance. Columbia Community Gospel Choir and Columbia Youth Choirs will twine their voices with their friends in Columbia College’s Unified Voices Gospel Choir, offering up gospel-styled works and honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr. 7 p.m. at Columbia College’s Launer Auditorium; free, though the program is intended to raise money for area nonprofits.

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Feb. 12: “Harriet” screening at The Armory

Cynthia Erivo plays Harriet Tubman in this 2019 biopic from director Kasi Lemmons; the film received two Oscar nominations, including a best actress nod for Erivo. Rated PG-13. 6 p.m.; free. Visit https://www.como.gov/city-source/january-2025/parks-recreation-black-history-month/ to learn more.

Feb. 16: Charles McPherson Quintet featuring Terell Stafford

While not pointed directly at Black History Month, this “We Always Swing” Jazz Series concert highlights excellence in Black artistry, foregrounding the 85-year-old saxophonist McPherson — also a Joplin native — and stellar trumpeter Stafford. 3 and 6:30 p.m. at Murry’s; visit https://www.wealwaysswing.org/season/2024-2025/ for remaining ticket options.

Through Feb. 22: The Color Black at Orr Street Studios

The third exhibit of its kind, this show features the work of numerous local Black artists, in special memory of the late painter Byron Smith. A reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. during First Friday events this week, with music from Lionelle Miller. Orr Street will also house a spoken word open mic night from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 18 foregrounding Black voices as part of its Hearing Voices/Seeing Visions series; artist and MC Sergio Slayer will host. Visit https://www.orrstreetstudios.com/ for more details.

Feb. 23: Gospel Explosion and Soul Food Dinner

This annual event features entertainment and an enriching meal. 4 p.m. at St. Luke United Methodist Church; free. https://www.como.gov/city-source/january-2025/parks-recreation-black-history-month/

Feb. 27-28: Missouri Symphony “Tell Our Story” concert

The Missouri Symphony will collaborate with a number of soloists and Black community leaders to create two nights of “narration and music all while exploring the history of Black education in our Columbia community,” according to a news release. The art of Black composers such as Florence Price, William Grant Still and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor will weave its way through the program. 7 p.m. each night at Douglass High School; tickets are $10-$29. Learn more at https://www.themosy.org/calendar/tell-our-story-a-black-history-month-concert.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com. He’s on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.