February marks Black History Month, and the folks at the N.C. Museum of History are getting a head start this weekend with the 10th annual African American Cultural Celebration.
A slew of activities, events and performances kick off 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. And guess what? Not only is this event something aimed at families, it's also free. With free parking!
The celebration is open to all families, by the way, not just families of color. And considering the immense range of goings-on, no family I know wouldn't enjoy one of the musical performances, literary readings, or craft displays.
Music and movement will be celebrated by the likes of Raleigh's Cynthia Jones, an award-winning neo soul gospel singer, as well as the local reggae pop group Positively Nelsons.
In addition to many authors who write for adult audiences, there will be a spoken word performance by children's author (and former N&O reporter) Kelly Starling Lyons, who wrote "One Million and Me."
Craftspeople will show their basket-making and quilting skills, and there will be a hair-braiding workshop led by Diana Mitchell, author of "The Hair Braider's Secret Reference Manual."
There will be lots for little bodies that need to shake off that Saturday energy in the form of a scavenger hunt, as well as hands-on activities like learning how to tie tobacco and make cowrie shell necklaces - all historically relevant, all kid-oriented.
The event is co-sponsored by the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, and is supported by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, with funds from the United Arts campaign, the N.C. Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. For a complete list of events, visit ncmuseumof history.org or call 807-7900.
