We slept on a few of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center‘s events for Black History Month, but the museum’s festivities aren’t over just yet.
This Thursday, Feb. 22, historian Brian Rodgers will give a lecture on the story of West Ninth Street — once a flourishing hub for Black businesses and entertainment — in three parts: the early years (1870s-1920s), the heyday (1940s-1950s) and the decline (1970s-1980s). In between the sections of Rodgers’ presentation, Little Rock trumpeter Rodney Block and his band will play songs that correspond with each time period. The museum’s 2024 Artist of the Year will also be unveiled during the free event, which begins at 6 p.m.
From 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, Mosaic Templars is offering an afternoon of family-friendly STEM activities, designed to both uplift Black contributions to science and technology as well as inspire the next generation of Black scientific leaders. Sponsored by Southwest Power Pool, the event is also free.
Hosted in partnership with the Chamber Music Society of Little Rock, the museum’s final Black History Month happening is a Thursday, Feb. 29 performance by the Marian Anderson String Quartet, an accomplished all-Black group who named themselves after the first African American singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here. Students get in for free.
