The Palm Springs Black History Month Committee, Palm Springs Art Museum and the city will host a series of free and educational events starting Thursday for Black History Month.
A Black History Month Kick Off, celebrating the Harlem Renaissance and African American culture and arts, will get underway at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, according to city spokeswoman Amy Blaisdell. It will feature performances by the Palm Springs High School Choir and James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center drum line and drill team.
The 37th annual Black History Month Awards Gala will follow on Saturday, during which individuals and organizations who allied or contributed to the success of African American achievements in the city will be recognized with awards, Blaisdell said. The event will get underway at 6 p.m. in Margaritaville Palm Springs, 1600 North Indian Canyon Drive.
Additionally, the Palm Springs Art Museum will host two Sugar Shack events: a jazz-inspired night of music on Feb. 8 and blues- and soul-inspired night sessions on Feb. 22, according to Blaisdell. Other events scheduled are Rhythm and Hues with local fashion designer Aneka Brown and jazz melodies from Wayne Cobman on Feb. 15, a men’s basketball tournament on Feb. 17, and a Palm Springs Black History Caravan on Feb. 19.
The last events in the series will be the 37th annual Palm Springs Black History Month Parade and Town Fair on Feb. 24 and a Black History Month Block Party: Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop on Feb. 29.
More information about the events can be found at palmspringsblackhistory.org.