WILLIAMSBURG — Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will offer a series of special events and programs throughout the month of February in honor of Black History Month.
The series of special programs will begin with a Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra performance on Feb. 1 and culminate with the annual “After Angelo” Black Art showcase on Feb. 25.
The Feb. 1 Special Performance by the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra will feature guest soloists, Xavier Foley on bass and Eunice Kim on violin with Music Director Michael Butterman at Jamestown Settlement.
The evening program will be followed by a conversation centered on Foley’s original composition “For Justice and Peace,” which will be performed on Feb. 2 with The
Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra. The program, limited to 60 participants, is free to the public with advance registration.
On Feb. 4, the lecture “Meet John Rollison and His Descendant” will take place at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. As part of the Talking History Lecture Series, actor James Cameron will portray John Rollison, an 18th-century York County resident and property-owning free man of color sharing his experiences during the American Revolution. The program begins at 3 p.m.
Feb. 25 will feature the “After Angelo” Black Art Showcase. According to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, The program is a one-day afternoon event honoring the legacy of one of the first African women mentioned by name in the historical record at Jamestown, with a lively celebration of African American culture and heritage showcasing art, music, storytelling, and community conversation.
From noon to 5 p.m., a series of dynamic programs will take place in the Robins Foundation Theater, beginning with an opening libation ceremony and performance from Atumpan Dance Theatre and a community conversation moderated by Barbara Hamm Lee, host of WHRV’s “Another View” radio program.
The day will conclude with a performance of original music by Akeylah Simone, a singer, songwriter, and recording artist from the Hampton Roads area. African American artwork will be on display — some of which will be available for public purchase — and space will be available for local organizations promoting and empowering the Black community to share their stories and literature or host special activities. “After Angelo” is supported in part by the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission.
All daytime performances, activities, and speaker presentations during this event are included with museum admission.
For more information and for advanced registration on select programs, visit the official Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation website.
