February is a month filled with silly, Hallmark-designed days. Sure, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, and Super Bowl Sunday are fun, but there’s more to this short month than rodent shadows, binging on chocolate, and a bunch of dudes chasing after a ball.
February is also African American History Month. This celebration of a population’s struggle for equality and harmony in the United States has its roots in the 1920s, but wasn’t officially recognized until 2008. Its importance isn’t only for kids to learn about in grade school—the remembrance is vital for all to observe.
Penumbra Theatre thinks so, too.
The St. Paul theatre is renowned for creating productions that are “thought-provoking, relevant, and illuminate the human condition through the prism of the African American experience.” After having to shut their doors in September 2012 due to financial difficulties, the largest African-American theater in the nation is back in action. The company raised $359,000 during an emergency fundraising campaign, and retakes the stage this March with Spunk, by George C. Wolfe.
But first, the theater will resume its Let’s Talk Theatre programming. This Monday, Sarah Bellamy, daughter of artistic director Lou Bellamy and the theatre’s education director, will gather together community members (that means you, too!) for snacks, wine, and conversation.
The topic this month: the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement in the ’20s that blossomed a new African American identity and a mountain of literature, music, and art.
The series was a big hit when it first launched last year, so be sure to reserve your tickets now and look forward to an intimate evening of interesting conversation and impactful discussion.
Let’s Talk Theatre: The Harlem Renaissance
Monday, February 18
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
$15
Penumbra Theatre, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul
651-224-3180, penumbratheatre.org
