Still time to celebrate Black History Month at Burlington County venues

Carol Comegno, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·2 min read
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Burlington County government and Rowan College of Burlington County (RCBC) are hosting several Black History Month programs throughout February with most held in the afternoon.

The public can watch dance troupes and movies, visit art galleries and attend lectures that include one about the late heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who once lived in South Jersey.

A reception celebrating two artists and their exhibits at the county’s historic Smithville Park will be held Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. at the park’s Underground Railroad Museum and feature music, poetry, and refreshments.

Here are the programs at the county library in Westampton, historic Smithville Park in Eastampton, the Lyceum in Mount Holly and Rowan College at Burlington County.

Dance performances

Feb. 18 −Hop Hop Fundamentals will perform Civil Rights Movements," a history-telling dance from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Burlington County Library auditorium, 5 Pioneer Boulevard at Woodlane Road, Westampton. No reservations are needed, but seating is limited.

It willpefrnd the second, "Civil Rights Movements."

Feb. 20 − Zawadi African Dance will perform at 1 p.m. in the RCBC Student Success Center, Route 38 in Mount Laurel.

The Seventh Principle Dance and Drum Co. is based out of West Orange and is scheduled to perform this month in Burlington County
The Seventh Principle Dance and Drum Co. is based out of West Orange and is scheduled to perform this month in Burlington County

Movies at the library

The Burlington County Library will also host free afternoon movie screenings at 2 p.m. in its auditorium with limited seating of 260:

  • Feb. 19: "The Butler"

  • Feb. 25: "Selma"

Fashion Show

Feb. 15 − Rowan College at Burlington County will host its annual Black History Month Fashion show at 7 p.m. at its Mount Holly Campus, 1 High Street, with designs by its students and industry professionals.

Two art exhibits now until April

“The Art of Lady Bird Cleveland: An American Treasure” is on display now through April 1 in the Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery inside historic Smithville Park in Eastampton and depicts Cherokee, Irish and African art subjects.

One of the works of the late Black artist Joe Speight of Evesham on display at the historic Smithville Park complex operated by Burlington County in Eastampton
One of the works of the late Black artist Joe Speight of Evesham on display at the historic Smithville Park complex operated by Burlington County in Eastampton

An exhibition of the late artist, scientist and educator Joe Speight of Evesham is on display in the Worker’s House Gallery at Smithville until April 8. Speight was a distinguished scientist, educator and artist whose art creations often explored the black experience and representations.

More:South Jersey lawmaker's proposal for Black Heritage Trail signed into law

Educational Lecture

Feb. 15− “Spirit of Freedom,” a 10 a.m. lecture at the Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences in Mount Holly that addresses an 1872 Mount Holly celebration that occurred on the 10th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and drew thousands of people from all over the East Coast. Registration is required at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/235/Parks

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Black History Month dancing, art and lectures in Burlington County