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Photo by Jim Webber - Storyteller Dylan Pritchett (left) teaches a group of fifth graders from the Campus School how to use traditional African-American percussion instruments after a telling stories from the Civil War era Wednesday afternoon at the University of Memphis Student Center.
By Jody Callahan - The Commercial Appeal -
Don't be surprised if, when touring the National Civil Rights Museum this month, one of the displays starts talking to you.
As part of the celebration of Black History Month, the museum plans to "bring bits of history to life," in the words of Barbara Andrews, the museum's director of education. To do that, the museum has added actors to portray characters in some of the displays, including famous disc jockey Nat D. Williams.
The museum also plans a special free screening of CNN reporter Soledad O'Brien's documentary on photographer Ernest Withers, "Pictures Don't Lie," at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
The museum also has some of its art collection on display, both in their lobby as well as at the Memphis College of Art graduate school on South Main.
This month is important to the museum, executive director Beverly Robertson said, both from a financial and a cultural perspective.
"It means a lot. It happens to be the time when people seem to be focused on the contributions of African-Americans all across the country," said Robertson, adding that this is the month when school visits are the heaviest. "They come here to either be reminded of those contributions, or to learn about some lesser-known folks that they don't know about."
The University of Memphis also has a slate of events commemorating the month, including:
Tuesday: "Play For Colored Girls," 7 p.m. in the University Center Theater.
Wednesday: Reading and discussion with Marcus Matthews, author of "I Am Not the Father," 6 p.m. in the Rose Theatre lobby.
Feb. 11: Talk by Nobel laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel, 4 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom.
Feb. 23: "An Evening With Soledad O'Brien," 7 p.m. in the Rose Theatre.
Feb. 24: "A-Train Express: When Harlem Was King and the Music Was Swing." Panel discussion 10-11:15 a.m.; documentary film screening 1-2:15 p.m.; lessons 6:30-7:30 p.m.; band 7:30-10:30 p.m.; various locations in the University Center.
Feb. 28: Closing ceremony with speaker Edward Stanton III, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, 1 p.m., University Center River Room.
Also, the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library will celebrate the opening of the Dr. Miriam DeCosta-Willis Collection at 2 p.m. Feb. 26. She will also sign copies of her recently published book "Black Memphis Landmarks."
The library is also hosting an exhibit called "Crossroads: From Sagging to Success" by South Memphis-born artist Emery Franklin.
The series of 15 oil paintings will be on display through Feb. 28.
