Historian to Talk in Dallas About Impact of National Museum of African American History

The National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. has been a hot topic since opening to national fanfare in September.About 600,000 visitors from across the globe viewed the museum in its first three months, taking in detailed presentations of the life and culture of descendants of Africa in America.As part of the closing week of Black History Month in Dallas, local historian Marvin Dulaney will discuss the museum's opening and what the institution has to offer at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the Helen Giddings Solarium at the African American Museum at Fair Park. Dr. Dulaney is an author, lecturer and former chairman of the University of Texas at Arlington history department.The presentation is part of the second annual Dr. Carter G. Woodson Luncheon, co-sponsored by the African American Museum and the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which Woodson created in 1915. Woodson was a historian, and in 1926 he founded Negro History Week, the forerunner of Black History Month.The Dulaney lecture is free, but a boxed lunch is available for $10. Order lunches in advance by calling 214-478-7228.Meanwhile, Eric Williams, curator of religion at the national museum, will be among speakers at the seventh annual history conference beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Fair Park museum.ABOUT TOWN: Last week, we mentioned commemorative events and sites bearing the name of the late civil rights legend Juanita Craft. A reader called to note the column did not mention a local choir formed in honor of Craft. The United Voices of Juanita Craft has become increasing popular since its 2016 launch.The choir rehearses Monday through Thursday as part of the Active Senior and Adult Program for citizens ages 60 and above. The program operates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, 4500 Spring Ave. in South Dallas. Darlene Harris and Melanie Rose direct the choir, which performed Tuesday at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center's black history program. Don Payton, an historian of Dallas black history, spoke at the event.The choir will next perform at 11 a.m. April 29 at an invitation-only volunteer appreciation luncheon in the Food and Fiber Building at Fair Park. More than a dozen outstanding local volunteers will be honored. Radio personality Dwayne Dancer will host, and Jill Beam, 2015-16 Ms. Texas Senior America, will speak.To learn more about the choir, call 214-670-8391.Civil rights concertThe Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement Concert will air from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday on cable channel KTXA-TV (Channel 21). The Black Academy of Arts and Letters presented the 34th annual live performance Feb. 15 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The performance features a combined choir of local choirs and amateur singers. Guest national artists include Bilal, Earnest Pugh, B. Slade and Malik Yoba.Jazz VespersWorshippers and performers will celebrate the closing week of Black History Month during two free Jazz Vespers celebrations on Sunday. The first is 10:50 a. m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 4105 Junius St. in Dallas, and will feature the church's sanctuary choir. The second will be at 5 p.m. at Midway Hills Christian Church, 11001 Midway Road in Dallas. It will feature the Dallas Jazz Quartet, with singer Sandra Kaye, the Atlanta Dance Connection and youth praise dancers from Garland's St. Mark Baptist Church. To learn more, call 214-815-3606.Awards concertA Black History Benefit and Awards Concert will feature various musicians including recording artist Jekalyn Carr, noted local musician Gaye Arbuckle and the Voice of Kirkwood Choir. The concert is presented by Kirkwood Temple CME Church, but it will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Concord Baptist Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr. in Oak Cliff. Tickets are $15 in advance, $25 at the door, and $5 at the door for children under age 12. To inquire, call 214-339-3304 or 214-339-6544.  Continue reading...