Black History Month and Orange County Library Events
Black History Month and Orange County Library Events – In February, Orange County Library System invites the community to celebrate Black History Month. Events for all ages will highlight the work of Black authors, musicians, inventors and activists. On Sunday, February 5, Orlando Public Library will hold a celebration of African American literature in poetry, story and song, performed by local luminaries in conjunction with the 33rd Annual African American Read-In. Visit ocls.info/african-american-read to learn more.
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What:
Eatonville Branch will play host Woven Stories of Resistance, a powerful quilt exhibition created by the Charmettes Club of Orlando to share their passion for social justice in celebration of Black History Month. The exhibition will be on display at Eatonville Branch through February, with a reception and panel discussion hosted at the branch from 12–3 p.m. on February 18. For more information, check out attend.ocls.info/event/7657869.
Visit ocls.info/black-history-month for a complete listing of Black History Month events at OCLS.
On February 19, Orlando Public Library hosts author, award-winning chef and former Top Chef contestant, Kwame Onwuachi, as part of its ongoing Meet the Author series. Onwuachi will discuss his first cookbook, My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef, which showcases the true diversity of American food. For details, visit attend.ocls.info/event/7049976.
Registration is strongly recommended for all in-person events due to limited capacity. If you have any questions about the information shared below, call 407.835.7323. Visit us online at ocls.info to register, or to view a complete listing of both virtual and in-person library events.
Where and When:
General Events:
African American Read-In
Orlando Public Library, Library Central
Sunday, February 5, 2–3:30 p.m.
Celebrate African American literature in poetry, story and song performed by local luminaries in conjunction with the 33rd Annual National African American Read-In.
Cuisine Corner: Soup Joumou (Haitian Pumpkin Soup)
South Trail Branch
Tuesday, February 7, Noon
Chef Ingrid Alliance of Pinch of my Cuisine shares her recipe for soup joumou – a squash-based soup traditionally prepared for Haitian Independence Day. Registration required.
Sons of The Silent Age: Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd
Orlando Public Library, Albertson Room
Friday, February 10, Noon
When the Albertson Library opened in 1923, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd each had two movies in theaters. Discover the history and attitude of the age through film 100 years later.
Melrose Meetups: Infrared Photography Photo Walk
Orlando Public Library, Melrose Center
Saturday, February 11, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Bring your camera and walking shoes and join the Orlando Public Library’s Melrose Center photography instructors on a guided photo walk in downtown Orlando. This meetup will begin at the Melrose Center on the second floor, followed by a walk outside to gather images, before arriving back to post-process the images for infrared photography.
The Beatles at Shea Stadium
Orlando Public Library, Library Central
Sunday, February 12, 2 p.m.
Dave Schwensen, author of The Beatles at Shea Stadium, will host an interactive experience about the groundbreaking concert that launched the modern era of outdoor stadium shows.
Woven Stories of Resistance
Eatonville Branch
Saturday, February 18, Noon–3 p.m.
Join us for a reception and panel discussion to learn about the inspiration behind this powerful quilt exhibition created by the Charmettes Club of Orlando to share their passion for social justice.
Music in the Library: Wassalou
Orlando Public Library, Library Central
Saturday, February 18, 4 p.m.
Wassalou is an Afropop band that presents a unique talent to the North American cultural landscape. Bringing language, colorful traditional costuming and dance straight out of Africa.
Meet the Author: Kwame Onwuachi
Orlando Public Library, Library Central
Sunday, February 19, 2 p.m.
Author, James Beard Award-winning chef and former Top Chef contestant, Kwame Onwuachi, will discuss his first cookbook, My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef. For more information on Onwuachi, visit prhspeakers.com.
Snack & Learn: Black History Bingo
Eatonville Branch
Wednesday, February 22, Noon
Join Casman Mosby with Village Medical in Black History bingo, where we all win by learning the history of African Americans. Snacks will be provided.
Food 101: Classic French Cooking
Orlando Public Library, Albertson Room
Wednesday, February 22, 5:30 p.m.
The Food 101 series introduces you to a new topic every month, examining the historical and social significance of what we eat. In February, learn all about classic French cooking.
Music in the Library: Don Black
Orlando Public Library, Library Central
Saturday, February 25, 4 p.m.
Hear saxophonist Don Black perform. His approach to music, whether it be it blues, jazz or pop is poetic, rhythmic and soulful.
Youth Events:
Alma Thomas Art
Washington Park Branch
Wednesday, February 1, 4 p.m.
Fairview Shores Branch
Saturday, February 4, 3 p.m.
South Creek Branch
Saturday, February 11, 2 p.m.
West Oaks Branch
Wednesday, February 15, 4 p.m.
Honor African American artist Alma Thomas and create your own colorful abstract work of art. Recommended for ages 6–12.
Teen Volunteering
Hiawassee Branch
Saturday, February 4, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Orlando Public Library
Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
High school students will earn two hours of community service by assembling craft kits for the library.
Cuéntame un Cuento
South Trail Branch
Tuesdays, February 4 & 28, 11 a.m.
Chickasaw Branch
Wednesday, February 15, 11 a.m.
Southeast Branch
Monday, February 27, 10:15 a.m.
West Oaks Branch
Tuesday, February 28, 11 a.m.
Virtual
Tuesdays, February 7, 21 & 28, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, February 28, 11 a.m.
Cuéntame un Cuento is an interactive bilingual storytime featuring books and songs in English and Spanish that are suitable for speakers of either language.
STEAM Free Play
South Trail Branch
Mondays, February 6 & 20, 3:30–5 p.m.
Explore and play as we have fun with STEAM-related toys! Kits such as LEGOS and K’NEX are available for anyone to play.
Hello, Neighbor!
Chickasaw Branch
Wednesday, February 8, 11 a.m.
Welcome to our neighborhood of makebelieve. Join us for a grr-ific time learning practical skills with stories and interactive activities. Recommended for ages 2–5.
OrisiRisi African Folklore
Eatonville Branch
Saturday, February 11, 11:30 a.m.
West Oaks Branch
Monday, February 13, 10 a.m.
South Creek Branch
Saturday, February 25, 11 a.m.
Share the beauty of African life and culture through a unique folkloric performance filled with drumming, dance and storytelling. Recommended for ages 0–12.
The Dances of Beyoncé
Fairview Shores Branch
Friday, February 17, 4:30 p.m.
Who run the world? Girls! Embrace your inner Beyoncé through dance and learn the iconic moves from some of Beyoncé’s most popular songs.
Black History Science Smart
Southeast Branch
Saturday, February 18, 10:30 a.m.
Learn about scientists and inventors who’ve made us change the way we look at the world. Enjoy facts, trivia and challenges. Recommended for families with children ages 5 and up.
Arabic Storytime
Alafaya Branch
Sunday, February 26, 4:30 p.m.
Listen to storytime in Arabic. Connect with friends and sing the Arabic alphabet song. Participate in circletime, interactive songs, play and craft time.
More Information:
Visit us online at ocls.info to register, or to view a complete listing of both virtual and in-person library events.
Disclaimer: Events and information listed on this site are subject to last minute cancellations and changes which might not be reflected in this MyCentralFloridaFamily.com post. Please always confirm with this family-friendly business by calling or clicking the links for the most up-to-date information.
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