This Black History Month the city of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine once again hosts performances of “Black Mosaic,” a free music and dance showcase that celebrates and honors the history and contributions of the Black community.
This year the event series features local elementary school students, and organizers encouraged the public to attend one of three performances set for this month.
“As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, it is inspiring to see our local youth bring the stories of Black culture and history to life,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “These performances remind us that this history is living and carried forward by the next generation as we build a more inclusive future together.”
“Black Mosaic” is a collection of literature, poetry, music and plays that illuminate the richness of Black history and culture through performances by professionally trained actors and, new this year, local youth just learning the art of acting, organizers said. Students from Burbank Elementary School’s LB WRAP After School Program join this year’s cast.
Performances will feature works by authors ranging from William Shakespeare to Maya Angelou and “weave together the layered and complex moments of Black history through humor, reflection, resilience and critique,” according to organizers.
Performances are set for:
- Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Ave.
- Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m., Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave.
- Monday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m., Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th St.
The “community-centered performance initiative” is curated and directed by Melanie Curtis Andrews, co-founder of the former Inner City Shakespeare Company, according to the city. Last year the city partnered with Andrews to host community performances to commemorate Black History Month.
Over the past year, PRM’s Partnerships Division worked with Andrews to establish the LB Performing Arts Collective, which officials described as an effort to bring performing arts to Long Beach’s underserved neighborhoods. The new arts initiative aims to engage diverse youth and community members in the performing arts through collaborative productions, mentorship and creative engagement.
“We are committed to offering quality and accessible youth programming within our parks and open spaces,” Stephen P. Scott, director of Parks, Recreation and Marine, said in a statement. “The establishment of the LB Performing Arts Collective is an opportunity to expand our partnerships with local performing arts organizations to bring new, culturally relevant performing arts programming opportunities that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.”
Andrews said in a statement she is honored to continue her “personal tradition of creating events for Black History Month, especially since this is the 100th year.
“My play entertains and teaches — I am honored to work with such talented young artists, many of them Long Beach residents,” Andrews said.
PRM’s full lineup of parks, facilities, programs and services available is online at LBParks.org.
