Lady Hip-Hop History Kicks Off Black History Month at Smithfield Library

Lady Hip-Hop History surrounded by some of her dance partners.

Candice Hardy a.k.a. Lady Hip-Hop History gave a lesson on the origin of dance from Africa through songs, poetry, and interactive dance at the Smithfield Branch Library on February 11. In Black History Speaks: Dancing Through Our Past, Hardy compared and contrasted stepping, salsa and hip-hop dancing to African dance while encouraging her audience to join in. This was the first program in a series at Smithfield Library that celebrates Black History Month.

February programs at Smithfield Branch Library:

Music of the Mines, Mills, and Railroads of the Birmingham District: Sloss Furnaces Presenter Depicts Labor-Related Music of the Birmingham District
Thursday, February 9, 2012
10:00 a.m.
Migrants pouring into Birmingham’s industrial district, whether from the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta or the Appalachian hills, carried with them their unique styles of music, as well as their unique traditions and culture.

National African American Read-In Chain
Thursday, February 16, 2012
3:30 p.m.
Shronda N. Major who will journey through African American history with dance, poetry and drama.

Photographic Exhibit of Artist Joe Minter’s African Village in America
Available throughout February at Smithfield Library
Mondays-Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Folk Artist Joe Minter began his African Village in America in 1988 after he received a vision from God. It resulted in a densely-packed art environment consisting of sculptures, monuments, signs, plantings, and totems. Located on his Woodlawn neighborhood property, Minter’s creation is an homage to the social and spiritual struggle of African Americans in America. These powerful images will be displayed throughout the month of February. Minter has donated several of his sculptures to the Smithfield Library.

Submitted by Smithfield Branch Library