Shining a light on a community of many noteworthy Black figures, theatre, film and musical concerts are among the many highlights during the 33rd annual Black History Month in Montreal.
This year’s theme is “Many Stories, One History” (Plusieurs nuances, Une Histoire), and here are some choice 2024 Black History Month events to add to your list of the best things to do in Montreal.
Black Theatre Workshop
The oldest professional Black theatre company in Canada, Montreal’s Black Theatre Workshop presents the world premiere of Diggers which tells the story of three essential workers – gravediggers – who make the best of a bad situation as townsfolk grow increasingly distant when illness hits the town. A play full of song, laughter, tears and humanity. Runs February 1 to 7 in the Studio Theatre of The Segal Centre for Performing Arts.
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Nuits d’Afrique
Productions Nuits d’Afrique presents Canada’s legendary Juno Award-winning World-Music diva Lorraine Klaasen at the Fairmount Theatre (February 10). Born and raised in Soweto, Klaasen is one of the few remaining South African artists preserving the classic sound of township music.
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Black hockey players
On February 20 at the Bell Centre, the Montréal Canadiens will screen filmmaker Hubert Davis’ TIFF award-winning documentary Black Ice which explores racism in hockey, from Willie O’Ree, the first Black player in the National Hockey League, to P.K. Subban.
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Phi Centre
The Phi Centre presents Colored: The Unknown Life of Claudette Colvin, an augmented-reality experience that uses the HoloLens 2 augmented reality headset to bring to life the story of U.S. Black civil rights pioneer and icon Claudette Colvin. Runs from February 7 to March 10.
Danse Danse
The acclaimed Danse Danse series presents Detrás del sur: danzas para Manuel by Sankofa Danzafro, the Afro-Colombian dance company founded by legendary choreographer Rafael Palacios. This show pays tribute to the literary masterpiece Changó el Gran Putas by writer Manuel Zapata Olivella, which traces the saga of the Black African diaspora in the New World. At Théatre Maisonneuve from February 21 to 24.
FRKY X LISTEN
Legendary Montréal party promoter Manclaudy hosts the second annual free-admission FRKY X LISTEN listening party at La Sala Rossa from 8 to 10:30 pm on February 3 with DJs, club owners, influencers and music enthusiasts all united by their love for Black music. Then beginning at 10:30 pm, the ticketed FRKY x LISTEN x AFTER party will set the dancefloor ablaze with special guests.
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The Underground Comedy Railroad
The Comedy Nest nightclub hosts The Underground Comedy Railroad, the first-ever all-Black comedy tour in Canada, on February 18. Their BHM show features hilarious stand-up comics Rodney Ramsey, Daniel Woodrow, Tamara Shevon and Keesha Brownie.
For more information about Montreal Black History Month events, click here.
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