Black History Month begins two days early at the Ninth Annual African American Cultural Celebration on Saturday, January 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of History. Each year, the event’s presenters arrive from across North Carolina to share their history and culture during this large festival. Bring the family to this fun and educational event with more than 50 presenters and loads of hands-on activities for all ages. Truly a celebration, the variety of dancers, musicians, actors, authors, storytellers, artists, craftspeople and others will bring to life the rich heritage of the state’s African Americans, past and present. Admission and parking are free.

Below is a sampling of activities:

• Music and dance will take the stage with the gospel sounds of Gerald Hinton, the African dance moves of Collage Dance Company, and others.
  
• Watch craft demonstrations and take a workshop led by miniaturist Pinkie Strother. See Benny Baker make intricately carved pipes, Jerome Bias create furniture and other artisans at work.
  
• Games and crafts combine learning with fun. Play traditional African games, make a cowrie shell necklace, or join a quilting bee, to name a few.
  
• Individuals will highlight historical topics and literary milestones. For example, Zelda Lockhart will moderate a session on her project about collecting oral histories from Mama and Baba Shabu, and Scott Washington will discuss the George Eastman School in Enfield.
  
• Staff members from historic sites across North Carolina will share fascinating facts. Talk with representatives from the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, Latta House Foundation, Somerset Place State Historic Site, W.E.B. DuBois Community Development Corporation, and other sites.
  

A scene from the 2009 African American Cultural Celebration at the N.C. Museum of History. Musicians will bring to life the rich heritage of the state’s African Americans, past and present, during the 2010 celebration.

Mark your calendar for the African American Cultural Celebration. This event is supported by AT&T and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, with funds from the United Arts campaign as well as the North Carolina Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art.