See How Morris County Is Marking Black History Month This Year

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Several ongoing exhibitions and special historic programs are marking Black History Month in Morris County, as well as a musical exploration of the Black experience in America.

An exploration of Frederick Douglass' life, an exhibit on race relations in the county across three centuries, two art exhibitions, and several music events are on the calendar this year. Here's what is on the schedule:

Freedom Songs: The Music of Black History (presented by the Bright Star Theater Company) is "a rich exploration of the Black experience in America through song," for ages 5 and up. The event is Thursday, Feb. 15 from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Morris County Library (30 East Hanover Ave., Whippany NJ, 07981). Registration is required by calling: 973-285-6980 or email: kidsstaff@co.morris.nj.us.

THE TIES THAT BIND: How Race Relations Shaped Morris County and New Jersey 1688-2018 is an exhibit which "delves into the intricate tapestry of race relations spanning more than three centuries among Black and white inhabitants in Morris County and throughout greater New Jersey."

This exhibition is on display until Feb. 29 at the Therese A. Mahoney Art Gallery on the campus of St. Elizabeth University. Hours of operation are Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

There are also a number of presentations, interviews, and events centered around Black History Month at Drew University and Farleigh Dickinson University; click on the links for the full schedule from both universities.

An art exhibit, Traditions and Transitions, is on display until March 3 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center through Art in the Atrium, Inc. Galleries are open to theatre ticket holders before shows, during intermission, by appointment, and every Tuesday afternoon from noon to 2 p.m.

The exhibit Frederick Douglass, Advocate for Equality is open to view at the Morris County Library atrium until Saturday, Feb. 10. "In this traveling exhibition, viewers can learn about Douglass’s escape from slavery, his work as an abolitionist, and his tireless fight for equality for all individuals in the Jim Crow era."

The library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church will do a free screening of the film "Slavery in the Age of Revolution," which examines the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the turn of the 18th century. The screening is Saturday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m., and the film is 50 minutes long.

Guest speaker Oliver St. Clair Franklin, who worked with Balliol College at the University of Oxford to produce the film, will lead a discussion after the screening.

The New Jersey Symphony presents Aretha: A Tribute on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown. This homage to the Queen of Soul features symphony favorite Capathia Jenkins and three-time Grammy Award-nominee Ryan Shaw performing Franklin's iconic hits. Tickets are $25-$59.

Music legend Dionne Warwick is also performing at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on Friday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $59-$99 but are not available online. The arts center recommends calling 973-539-8008 a few days before the show for any last-minute openings.