Enjoy Black History Month programs at the CMA

A mix of talks, films, and music celebrating Black artists

PRESS RELEASE

January 31, 2023

Columbia, S.C. – The Columbia Museum of Art is offering a slate of programming celebrating Black History Month this February, including art talks, films, and a celebration of soul with the popular More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series. Hosted by ethnomusicologist Dr. Birgitta Johnson, More Than Rhythm, now in its second season, takes attendees on a musical journey through multiple eras of Black musical expressions with live musical performances and intimate educational opportunities. The month-long celebration of soul includes a free conversation and concert with The Mahoganëë Xperience, a free listening party with DJ Lady Marauder, and two film screenings.

“We're really excited about the slate of programming scheduled for Black History Month,” says Wilson Bame, manager of engagement. “With daytime and evening events ranging from talks to concerts and film viewings, we really do have something for everyone to enjoy this February. Not only does this give us the chance to highlight the contributions of Black communities to arts and culture, but also South Carolina’s, with all of the artists having ties to our state. And special thanks to the Friends of African American Art and Culture for all their contributions to this programming!”

Black History Month Programs include:

More Than Rhythm Listening Party

Thursday, February 2 | 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
As part of Free First Thursday at the CMA and in celebration of Black History Month, enjoy a funk and soul listening party with DJ Lady Marauder spinning vinyl records that were the backdrop and heartbeat of the Black Film Renaissance of the 1960s and ’70s. She is joined by More Than Rhythm series host Dr. Birgitta Johnson, who talks with the community about specific tracks and films that reflected the blossoming of Black dance music genres of that era and the soul aesthetics that propelled the music to the forefront of Black American culture and American social politics as a whole. Free admission. Part of More Than Rhythm’s month-long Celebration of Soul. 

Presented by the Baker & Baker Foundation. This program has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. This program is supported by a Connected Communities grant from Central Carolina Community Foundation. This program is supported by the Friends of African American Art & Culture.

More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series Featuring The Mahoganëë Xperience 

Friday, February 3 | Galleries and bar open at 6:00 p.m. | Conversation at 7:00 p.m. | Concert at 8:00 p.m.
Mahoganëë is a South Carolina Lowcountry soul musician whose unique style, deemed “Funky Organik Soul,” is a blend of Southern soul, funk, jazz, blues, and hip-hop with African and Caribbean influences created by her husband, music producer André Amigér. After a conversation with series host Dr. Birgitta Johnson, Mahoganëë performs with a full band, including reworkings of some familiar soul classics as well as music, poetry, and images from her recent album Textures of a Southern Soul (a Gullah Geechee Soul) Vol. 1. Free admission. Part of More Than Rhythm’s month-long Celebration of Soul.

Presented by the Baker & Baker Foundation. This program has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. This program is supported by a Connected Communities grant from Central Carolina Community Foundation. This program is supported by the Friends of African American Art & Culture.

Art, Perception, and Social Transformation with Dr. Leo Twiggs and Frank Martin, Ph.D

Sunday, February 12 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
South Carolina artist Dr. Leo Franklin Twiggs and art critic and historian Dr. Frank Martin discuss the legacies of artists Elizabeth Catlett and Dr. Samella Lewis. These mid-20th century pioneers in African American aesthetics helped shape increasing levels of contemporary interest in and emphasis upon African American visual culture. Twiggs was a personal acquaintance of both Catlett and Lewis. He sponsored Catlett's visit to South Carolina in the 1980s, showing her works during his tenure as the executive director of The I. P. Stanback Museum at South Carolina State University. Dr. Lewis included works by Twiggs in her groundbreaking writing on African American art history. Hear from Twiggs and Martin about these highly influential figures at this in-person viewing of a virtual interview — Dr. Martin will be at the CMA as Dr. Twiggs joins live on Zoom from his studio in Orangeburg, SC. The event will not be livestreamed. Free with membership or admission.

More Than Rhythm Film Screening: Soul to Soul

Thursday, February 16 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
In March 1971, dozens of African American musicians traveled from New York City to Accra, Ghana, to perform at the Soul to Soul concert. Ultimately, the journey was about their personal roots, ancestral homeland, and history. Featuring Wilson Pickett, the Staple Singers, Ike & Tina Turner, and more, this documentary captures the story of Black American souls (re)connecting with Black West African souls through music. Free with membership or admission. Part of More Than Rhythm’s month-long Celebration of Soul. Presented by the Baker & Baker Foundation. This program has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. This program is supported by the Friends of African American Art & Culture and Love, Tito's.

FAAAC presents A Conversation with Hafizah Augustus Geter and Tyrone Geter

Sunday, February 19 | Reception and book signing 2:00 p.m. | Talk 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
On the heels of her recently released debut memoir, The Black Period: On Personhood, Race and Origin, celebrated author and poet Hafizah Augustus Geter joins the Friends of African American Art & Culture (FAAAC) for a reception, book signing, and moderated talk. The author is joined by her father, world-class artist, painter, sculptor, illustrator, and educator Tyrone Geter, who provided the inspiring artwork featured on the book jacket and throughout the pages of The Black Period. Dr. Nancy Tolson, FAAAC board member, CMA commissioner, and assistant director of African American Studies at the University of South Carolina, guides the discussion. Q&A to follow. Books will be available for purchase. Free with membership or admission. This program has been made possible, in part, through a grant from the Love, Tito’s foundation. 

More Than Rhythm Film Screening: Claudine 

Thursday, February 23 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Claudine (1974) is romantic comedy with a social conscience starring Diahann Carroll (who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance), James Earl Jones, and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. Praised for showing a new dimension in Black cinema during the height of blaxploitation, Claudine deftly balances warm humor with a serious look at the myriad issues — from cycles of poverty to the indignities of the welfare system — that shape its characters’ realities. The result is an empathetic chronicle of both Black working-class struggle and Black joy, a bittersweet, bighearted celebration of family and community set to a sunny soul soundtrack composed by Curtis Mayfield and performed by Gladys Knight & the Pips. Free with membership or admission. Part of More Than Rhythm’s month-long Celebration of Soul. Presented by the Baker & Baker Foundation. This program has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. This program is supported by the Friends of African American Art & Culture and Love, Tito's.

^{Image above, left to right: Lowcountry soul musician Mahoganëë (photo credit: Sancho Smalls), author and poet Hafizah Augustus Geter, and a promotional poster for the film Claudine.}