Where to celebrate Black History Month in Sonoma County

Monday, Jan. 16, was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday marking the birthday of the celebrated civil rights leader.

Across the nation, many people and organizations spent the day volunteering in their communities, in the spirit of Rev. King, and learning more about his legacy. In Sonoma County, too, people were out volunteering together and celebrating King’s impact.

It leads up to Black History Month in February, with upcoming events, talks and performances in Sonoma County highlighting Black history, achievements, art, music and more. See our list of ways you can take part, and let us know if we missed an event we can add to our listing.

Black History Month celebrations

Jan. 28: Afro-Peruvian Dance Perfomances hosted by the Sonoma County Library. From 2 to 3 p.m. at the Rincon Valley Regional Library, this family-friendly event shares the movement and rhythm of Afro-Peruvian dancing. 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa, 707-537-0162.

Additional viewing opportunities include the following:

Feb. 18 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park, 707-584-9121.

Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (with a focus on a drumming workshop) at the Northwest Santa Rosa Library, 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa, 707-546-2265.

Feb. 25 from 2 to 3 p.m. (with a focus on a drumming workshop) at the Centra Santa Rosa Library, 211 E. St., Santa Rosa, 707-308-3020.

Feb. 2: The Sonoma County Library will be hosting the enrichment program, “Hip Hop for Change: Theory of Hip Hop Evolution, Music, and Culture.” The program is friendly to ages 7 to 12, and includes live and interactive presentations around both historic and mordern examples of hip hop’s principles. Learn about the connection between peace, love, unity, and hip hop.

The premiere of this event will take place on Feb. 2 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Rincon Valley Regional Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa, 707-537-0162.

An additional viewing will take place on Feb. 10 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 707-823-7691.

Feb. 3: As part of its Black History Month celebration, the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum will host a concert by local vintage jazz and blues group The doRiaN Mode. Bob Johns plays piano/trumpet, with David Scott on saxophone and flute, Tony Blake on drums and Dorian Bartley on bass and vocals.

According to the museum’s website, Bartley formed the group in 2013 to explore the roots of jazz. Born in Detroit to an African American father and white mother, she “grew up in a family that valued music as an expression of art, identity and politics. She loves jazz and its balance between creative freedom and structure, the fun of swing and phrasing.”

7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $35 for downstairs and $40 for balcony seating. 20 Fourth St., Petaluma. More information and tickets at bit.ly/3Gy7uEU.

Feb. 4: The Sonoma County Library celebrates Black History Month at a handful of their locations with their African Music and Arts Village. This event is family-friendly and interactive, and introduces guests to the cultural traditions of South Africa. Baba Shibambo shares indigenous music and generational stories.

The premiere of this event will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Rincon Valley Reginoal Library on Feb. 4, 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa, 707-537-0162. Additional viewings include the following:

Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper St., Healdsburg, 707-433-3772.

Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Northwest Santa Rosa Library, 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa, 707-546-2265.

Feb. 18 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-996-5217.

Feb. 7: Join in memorializing King and his legacy with Sonoma State University’s HUB Cultural Center walk to the memorial at the SSU Lakes. The walk honors King’s commitment to non-violent social justice and his work for legal equality for Black Americans. It is recommended to meet with the HUB staff outside of SSU’s Student Center at noon for the walk to the Lakes or meet at the Lakes shortly after. For more information, email austindi@sonoma.edu. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.

Feb. 12: From 2 to 3 p.m., check out an “Author Talk Screening of How to Talk About Race” at the Cloverdale Regional Library. This screening is suitable for ages 12 and up, and helps readers gain confidence in how to discuss race, as well as how to make a difference when doing so. 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., 707-894-5271.

An additional screening will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-996-5217.

Feb 18: “Black to the Future,” an event featuring artists of color and community speakers, will take place from 5:30 to 11:40 p.m. at Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol. The event will feature two stages of music, as part of the free outdoor show from 5:30 to 8 p.m. featuring artists Aduio Angel, Simone Mosely, and Crumb Dread. Next, there is a ticketed show from 9 to 11:40 p.m., featuring artists Kayatta, Erica Amrbin, and D. square. Proceeds will go towards the Black Student Union at the Santa Rosa Junior College. Purchase tickets for the second show on wl.seetickets.us/HopMonkSebastopol. 230 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol, 707-829-7300.

Feb. 18: A community town hall at SSU, “Amplifying Black Voices in Sonoma County,” aims to create a welcoming space for discussion between Black students, staff and faculty, as well as Black community members in Sonoma County. The event at Stevenson Hall 1400 on SSU’s campus will provide room for listening, learning and sharing experiences. Following the event, attendees can enjoy refreshments and appetizers. For more information, email austindi@sonoma.edu. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.

Feb. 19: The Museum of Sonoma County and Petaluma Blacks for Community Development will host a discussion with contemporary Black artists about their work, especially the theme of resistance in their art. Sonoma County metal artist Denise Ward will moderate the talk with artists Unity Lewis, Michael Granville, TheArthur Wright and BAMR The Artist. Tickets: $10, or $5 for museum members. For more information, go to bit.ly/3kbT7P2.

Feb. 25: A Black History Month from Healdsburg Jazz’s concert featuring Terrie Odabi’s Blues of Resistance at the Raven Theater, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event will entail a presentation led by Healdsburg Jazz's Artistic Director Marcus Shelby, titled “Soul of the Movement: Meditations on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," followed by a concert with vocalist Terrie Odabi accompanied by her band. General admission is $30 and student admission is $15. Purchase tickets on bit.ly/3DcDqh2. 115 N. St., Healdsburg, 707-433-6335.

Feb. 28: A virtual author event by the Sonoma County Library. From 1 to 2 p.m., join a web-meeting with highly acclaimed author Sadeqa Johnson, who will be speaking about her newest novel The House of Eve. The coming of age novels covers topics like being a first-generation student, race, motherhood, and sacrifice. To register, visit libraryc.org/sonomalibrary/24211/register.

Feb. 28: The first Black Joy Fest, this celebration at SSU of Black liberation and joy aims to “promote unity on campus, celebrate the journey and progression of Black history, as well as engage in cross-cultural exchange.”

Visit the celebration from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Seawolf Plaza on the SSU campus. For more information, email gomezs@sonoma.edu or go to bit.ly/3CCm6BV. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.

Throughout the month: At any time, explore literature by Black authors, or literature centering around race and culture. The Sonoma County Library has curated a list of novels, audiobooks, and more, here: sonomalibrary.org/blogs/news/black-history-month-2023.

You can reach intern Lonnie Hayes at lonnie.hayes@pressdemocrat.com.