ACTC Presents Black History Month Programs

Ashland Community and Technical College will commemorate February as Black History Month with community programs on the theme of Voices from the Past to the Future.

These programs illustrate the influence of African Americans on our society and culture, and they are supported by ACTC, the Highlands Museum amp; Discovery Center and a number of community partners.

All programs are free and open to the public.

The Spirit of Frederick Douglass

Black History Month will open with a presentation of the life of Frederick Douglas Thursday, Feb. 18 at noon in the ACTCs J. B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus.

Frederick Douglass was born a slave and escaped to freedom when he was about 20 years old. Self-taught, he became the most prolific and influential black man of the nineteenth century. A powerful orator, he was known as the Lion of Washington and is regarded by many as the grandfather of our civil rights movement.

Douglass was a leader of the anti-slavery movement, an advisor to Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War era and the first man to stand up for women's rights and suffrage. This presentation shares the spirit of Frederick Douglass and his principles of freedom, equality, religion, and self-esteem.

Presenter Michael E. Crutcher, Sr. is an actor, scholar, presenter, US Army retiree, and former Assistant Professor at UKs Lexington Community College. In the morning and afternoon on February 18, he will visit area schools. For more information, contact ACTC Director of Diversity Al Baker, 606-326-2422 or email: alvin.baker@kctcs.edu.

Gospel Night

Gospel Night will be held Thursday, Feb.18, at 6:00 p.m. at the Highlands Museum amp; Discovery Center in downtown Ashland.

From humble beginnings as Negro spirituals, the sound and spirit of black gospel music has become a profound force in American music and culture. At Gospel Night, choirs and individual singers from African American churches throughout the Tri-State will sing the songs that have inspired generations of Americans.

Previous performers have included Christ Temple Church and New Hope Baptist Church from Ashland; Full Gospel Assembly, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, and Young Chapel AME Church from Huntington; Quinn Chapel AME Church and Mount Olive Baptist Church from Ironton; and First Baptist Church from Burlington, OH.

For information about performing at Gospel Night, contact the Museum at 606-329-8888.

A Night at the Apollo

A Night at the Apollo will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7:00 p.m. in ACTCs J. B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus.

Harlem's Apollo Theatre has long been a stepping stone for famous performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Patti Labelle. A Night at the Apollo gives amateur Tri-State performers a chance to share their talents in music, dance, poetry, comedy and drama.

A local version of the TV program Americas Got Talent, A Night at the Apollo is both a performance venue and a talent contest. Amateur solo and group performers may enter the contest. Prizes are $200, $100 and $50 for adults and $75, $50 and $25 for youth up to age 12.

There is no talent registration fee this year, but pre-registration is required with Al Baker at 606-326-2422 or email: alvin.baker@kctcs.edu. The registration deadline is February 12, and the number of acts is limited to 20 on a first-come basis. Last years first place winners in the adult and youth categories are ineligible to compete but are invited to perform during the show.