New films, plus dance and theater, celebrate Black History Month in Kansas City: How to go
Even though Black History Month is more than halfway over, the celebration continues with several events in Kansas City, highlighted by the Reel Black Film Fest.
Presented by Kansas City PBS on Feb. 22 at The Truman, the free event will screen three new documentaries by local Black filmmakers followed by a panel discussion. Local vendors also will be on hand.
The Reel Black Film Fest will feature “The Potato King: A Dynasty Built on Dirt and Dreams” about Junius Groves, a formerly enslaved man who became a wildly successful potato farmer in Edwardsville. Filmmaker Jacob Handy tells his story from the perspective of local farmer Mike B. Rollen while showcasing modern Black farmers influenced by Groves.
The other films are “Land of Opportunity: The Road of Resistance” about the U.S. 71 project through Kansas City and “Diamond Jubilee: A 75-Year Celebration of Carter Broadcast” about KPRS, the nation’s first Black radio station west of the Mississippi River.
All three have premiered or are scheduled to premiere in February on Kansas City PBS.
Here’s what you need to know about the film festival and other Black History Month events:
Reel Black Film Fest
When and where: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at The Truman, 601 E. Truman Road.
Schedule: Doors and vendors open, 1:30 p.m.; “Land of Opportunity,” 3 p.m.; “The Potato King,” 4:30 p.m.; intermission, 5:40 p.m.; “Diamond Jubilee,” 6 p.m.
Admission: The event is free, but an RSVP is required and spots are going fast.
Tickets: eventbrite.com
‘Setting the Stage’
When and where: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18th St.
What: The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey present the story of African-American dance through a multimedia program combining live performances with pictures and narration.
Admission: Free. First come first served; doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Information: kcfaa.org
Ongoing theater for Black History Month
“Fences,” Melting Pot Theatre: The August Wilson play runs through Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Central St. ($21.50-$32.50). kcmeltingpot.com
“Hairspray,” Black Repertory Theatre: This co-production with the White Theater runs through Sunday, Feb. 23, at Lewis & Shirley White Theatre, Jewish Community Center, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park ($20-$39) brtkc.org
“Broke-ology,” Kansas City Repertory Theatre: Written by the late Nathan Louis Jackson, a Kansas City, Kansas, native, this drama set in KCK runs through Sunday, March 2, at KC Rep’s Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way ($44-$70). kcrep.org
