NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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February is Black History Month, and the City of Barrie is proud to promote events and programming that bring awareness to the significant contributions that Black Canadians have made and continue to make to the cultural landscape of our country and our community.
The City of Barrie encourages the community to recognize Black History Month as an opportunity to embrace diversity and foster a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Programming hosted or supported by the City of Barrie:
- January and February — The Outline of Black Freedom, an exhibition of Black artists’ works in the First Floor Gallery at city hall (70 Collier St.), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Monday, Feb. 3 at 2:30 p.m. — flag raising at the city hall courtyard (70 Collier St.). Raising of the Pan-African flag at city hall and proclamation of Black History Month in the City of Barrie.
- Thursday, Feb. 6, 12 to 1 p.m. — Black History Month virtual lecture — Laura LaChappelle.
- Friday, Feb. 7, 6:30 to 9 p.m. — MacLaren Art Centre — winter opening reception, featuring a Black History Month exhibition — Canvas for Change: Black Youth Art Celebration.
- Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 to 10:45 a.m. — Black History Month celebration with local author Tricia Khan at the Painswick library (48 Dean Ave.). Join Tricia Khan, a local author, as she reads from her books and leads children in crafts and activities to celebrate Black History Month.
- Saturday, Feb. 15, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. — Black History Month: A Tribute to Maria Makeba at the Five Points Theatre (1 Dunlop St.). Featuring Waleed Kush Afro-Jazz blends African rhythms with American jazz harmonies, embracing exploration and inclusivity. Tickets are $40.
- Thursday, Feb. 20, 12 to 1 p.m. — Black History Month virtual lecture — Peter Meyler.
The MacLaren Art Centre is hosting a variety of Black History Month programming including Canvas for Change: Black Youth Art Celebration, Sound Canvas (all ages), Making our Mark: Artworks from Forest Hill Public School, and Lunch & Learn: A Canadian Black History Story (That You Probably Never Heard About!).
The Barrie Public Library, in collaboration with UPlift Black, hosts Black History 365, which provides resources, readings, interviews and presentations that allow users to learn about Black history all year long.
Visit barrie.ca/BlackHistoryMonth for the full listing of ongoing activities and special events.
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