Get ready for a Black History Month like one SMU has ever seen.
Students looking for an entertaining, yet educational, way to celebrate Black History Month will have plenty of choices. This year SMU has several organizations planning to host events for students, some combining learning and laughter.
The first week of Black History Month, Program Council’s Black Awareness Committee will host Kick-off Celebrations, “5 shades of Blackness”, in Hughes-Trigg Thursday, Feb. 3 from noon until 2 pm. The kick-off will showcase the talents of Airbrush Designs from Valley View Mall.
Students are encouraged to bring hats, bags, jeans or jackets that they want airbrushed. Prices will vary according to wishes. The first 50 to show up get free airbrushed t-shirts. So get there early.
For more information about this event and others hosted by the Black Awareness committee contact Mychael Chinn at [email protected].
Friday, Feb. 4 Program Council’s Black Awareness Committee is also hosting Apollo Night in the Varsity from 8 pm until 10 pm.
If you have never caught an episode of “Showtime at the Apollo” in Harlem New York, then you are definitely in for a treat.
In 1932, the Apollo introduced Amateur Night which help launched the singing careers of Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Michael Jackson, D’Angelo and Lauryn Hill.
Each time an amateur comes on the stage of the Apollo they caress the “tree of hope.”
Legend has it that the tree was outside the Lafayette Theatre where African-American talent was featured. It was believed that those who stood between its branches would receive good luck.
The Apollo opened around the time when the city was widening the street where the tree was rooted. Ralph Cooper Sr. bought a piece of the tree that now sits to the right side of the stage at the Apollo.
It is said that so many hands have rubbed it for luck that it is as smooth as glass. There may not be any wood rubbing at SMU’s Apollo night, but there will be plenty of entertainment as SMU finest show off their talents.
One of the most entertaining aspects of the show is that audience members are encouraged to “boo” the performer if he or she needs to take a walk.
Tuesday, Feb. 8 in the Hughes-Trigg Commons at 8 p.m., Program Council’s Black Awareness Committee invites students to the Talk It Up speaker series.
The guest is Anja Sander, who was the first African-American student at SMU. Sander will be returning to her alma mater to speak about racism.
Wednesday, Feb. 9 the SMU chapter of Zeta Phi Beta will host a Quiz Bowl at 9:20p.m. in Hughes-Trigg at Portico A.
The Zetas will be challenging students to see who can recall African-American history from the past and current events.
Admission is free, and all are invited to attend. For more information contact Xan Jennings via e-mail at [email protected].
