Vol. 5 No. 2, February 2008
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In February, it’s love and legacy
Citywide celebrations of Valentine’s Day, Black History Month
The month of February means different things to different people. For some, it’s the month of romance; for others, a time to connect with their heritage.
On Valentine’s Day, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority will celebrate in a big way with a Group Wedding, Vow Renewal and Civil Union Ceremony. The ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall on Thursday, February 14. The ceremony is free for all couples and their guests. Jean Muchanic, executive director of the Absecon Lighthouse, will officiate.
Couples can pre-register by visiting the ACCVA’s website, www.atlanticcitynj.com/ visitors.weddings.asp. The website also features up-to-date event information. Hotel packages for couples and their guests are currently available from the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, Quality Hotel Bayside Resort, Quality Inn Casino City and Wyndham Skyline Tower.
All couples-to-be must obtain a marriage or civil union license. Call local vital statistics departments for complete details. For additional information, e-mail ACWedding@accva.com or call 609-449-7126.
The Atlantic City Free Public Library invites you to celebrate with a host of events for Black History Month. First, the library’s meeting room will be transformed into a Jet Black, Brown and Tan magazine exhibit. Ralph Hunter, the founder and president of the African-American Heritage Museum of South Jersey, will present the exhibit of magazines featuring 125 pieces including copies of Negro Digest, Ebony, Ebony Jr., Jet and EM magazines. The magazines, published from 1942 through 1999, feature many prominent African-Americans including Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jackson.
The following events honoring Black History Month at the library will be held in the library’s second-floor meeting room and are free of charge. They include:
• On Saturday, February 9 at 11 a.m., a Roundtable Discussion led by Atlantic City Weekly’s Raymond Tyler will focuse on the moments and icons that have been important to African-Americans.
• Friday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m. check out Write Your Blues Tune from the International House of Blues. Discussed will be the evolution of the blues from its roots in West African drumming to its influence on contemporary musical forms.
• Saturday, February 16 at 1 p.m., the four-piece Tony Day Orchestra will perform a 90-minute concert with a wide range of jazz music.
• Last but not least, Cineplay Productions will present Lorraine Hansberry’s classic play A Raisin in the Sun on Sunday, February 17 at 1 p.m. Following the performance, the audience can meet the cast for a discussion of the play. A Raisin in the Sun stars former library employee Leonard Dozier, who is also the producer. The performance is free.
All library events will take place at the Main Library, 1 North Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City. For information, call 609-345-2269, ext. 3119, or visit www.acfpl.org.
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s Performing Arts Center presents Frederick Douglass: In the Shadow of Slavery, a one-man theatrical journey about one of the most important African-American activists. Broadway star Mel Johnson Jr. plays Douglass. The show is Saturday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for orchestra and $25 for mezzanine. For more information or to purchase tickets to any event at the Stockton Performing Arts Center, contact the box office at 609-652-9000, or visit www.stockton.edu/pac.
Also in celebration of Black History Month, the Atlantic City Art Center will feature A Tribute to the Late Link Soundra Usry Hollingsworth—Original Art Works. The exhibit is sponsored by the Atlantic City Chapter of The Links Inc., and the African-American Heritage Museum of Southern Jersey. Also featured are artists Betty Anne Bembry, Anne Glapion and Rosalyn W. Wooding. The Art Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 609- 347-5837 or visit www.acartcenter.org.
Finally, though it doesn’t take place until March 8 and 9, it may take a month for you to prepare yourself for The Atlantic City Beer Festival at the Atlantic City Convention Center. This “celebration of the suds” will feature more than 75 breweries pouring at least 250 different beers and ales from the United States and around the world. The popular Celtic band Birnam Wood will return to keep the place jumping. Chefs from area restaurants will demonstrate how to cook with beer.
The Beer Festival is Saturday, March 8, with Session 1 from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. and Session 2 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. On Sunday, March 9, there is one session from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Advance order tickets are $35 each until March 1 or you can purchase them at the door for $45. Designated driver price is $5. You must be 21 years of age and present photo ID to enter.
