Celebrate Black History Month

Ashland Community and Technical College will commemorate February as Black History Month with 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 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.

Harriet Tubman amp; the Underground Railroad

I Be Harriet Tubman, an interactive portrayal of one of Americas most remarkable heroines, will be presented Tuesday, Feb. 4, 12 noon in the J. B. Sowards Theatre at ACTCs College Drive Campus

Harriet Tubman fought tirelessly for the Union cause, for the rights of enslaved people, for the rights of women, and for the rights of all. Through dialect, costumes, and stories by the presenter, Dr. Annette E. Jefferson, the diminutive Tubman of Underground Railroad fame comes to life. The audience will experience the courageous exploits, bittersweet victories and final battles that have made Tubman an icon of civil rights.

Vignettes of Tubmans life will include her experiences as a slave, her adventures as the Moses of Underground Railroad that put a price on her head, her service as General Tubman to John Brown at Harpers Ferry and her Civil War work as a Union scout, nurse and spy.

Dr. Jefferson has traveled widely throughout the region to share African American history. An Ohio Humanities Council Chautauqua speaker, she is founder and Chief Creative Officer of DeARK Enterprises, where the mission is linking past to present and empowering futures.

She has a doctorate in Social Work Administration from The Ohio University and is currently a faculty member of the University of Phoenix, Columbus Campus.

For more information, contact Al Baker, ACTC Director of Cultural Diversity, 606-326-2422.

Gospel Night

Gospel Night will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the Highlands Museum amp; Discovery Center in 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 and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church from Huntington, First Baptist Church from Burlington, OH, and Quinn Chapel Church from Ironton.

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, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. in ACTCs J. B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus.

Harlems 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.

The contest entry fee is $5 per act, and registration is through the Highlands Museum amp; Discovery Center, 606-329-8888 or email: Christine@highlandsmuseum.com. The registration deadline for performers is February 8, 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.