UMaine Black History Month Features Music, Dance, Poetry
Contact: Shezwae Fleming, (207) 581-1425, George Manlove, (207) 581-3756
ORONO — This year’s celebration of Black History Month at the UMaine includes a program of music, dance, poetry and discussions of black history and an exploration of the roots of African culture.
Organized by three UMaine student organizations — the African Student Association, Black Student Union and the Multi-Cultural Center — observances began Feb. 2 and end Feb. 23.
Yannick Moutassie, president of the Black Student Union stresses that all students, regardless of color or nationality are invited and welcome to participate in the activities.
The events for the month are sponsored by a multi-cultural collaboration, including the UMaine Impact Movement, the Office of Multicultural Programs, School of Performing Arts Theater and Music Departments, and the campus radio station WMEB FM.
The events are:
Feb. 10: A musical tribute to the African American jazz musicians of the Harlem renaissance era, from 7-8:15 p.m. in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union, featuring The Lidral Duo playing their own compositions inspired by Harlem jazz greats.
Feb. 19, from 3-6 p.m.: A special program WMEB FM (91.9), hosted by Moutassie, titled “The International Melting Pot of the New Century.” Moutassie, who is a DJ Saturday afternoons at WMEB, is structuring his weekly show with a mix of music and live interviews with students from many cultures discussing the effects of biracial relationships in a world where many traditional cultural barriers are disappearing.
Feb. 19, 9 p.m.: “Soul Train,” a weekly event at the Elks Lodge in Old Town in which people learn and show off “the latest and greatest in soul music and dance moves,” according to Moutassie. In a 1960s setting, with ’60’s era clothing, participates will have a dance contest and black history trivia contest. Prizes include gift certificates to The Chocolate Grill.
Feb. 23: “Come Down Burning,” a 15-minute Reader’s Theater production by the UMaine School of Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. at Minsky Recital Hall in the Class of 1944 Hall. The play, by New York playwright Kia Corthron, is about two poor black women who grapple with equal access to education, abortion rights, healthcare and the legacy of injustice.
Feb. 23: “Cultural Extravaganza” from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at Wells Common, an inclusive celebration with speakers, poetry readings, appetizers and the sale of African art to benefit the Black Student Union. “It is going to be a closure event for Black History Month,” says Moutassie.
Moutassie, a junior majoring in international affairs with a concentration in economics, says that in addition to promoting education about black history and culture, the Black Student Union is an apolitical organization with an educational mission.
“I’d like people to understand the Black Student Union is in no shape or form a segregationist union,” says Moutassie, who is from Cameroon. “It is a student association. The goal is to promote African-American culture and help black students and all students who need help during their time that they are students at the University of Maine.”
Information about the Black Student Union and other student cultural organizations can be obtained by contacting Shezwae Fleming, director of Multicultural Programs and the Alana Center in Hannibal Hamlin Hall, (207) 581-1425.