In celebration of Black History Month, Davis & Elkins College has confirmed additional events including dance classes, an art session, poetry slam and virtual discussion. Zoom links for virtual events will be provided through D&E email or by emailing gouxl@dewv.edu

Day of Dance

The Day of Dance series returns with evening classes and an afternoon dance demonstration.

Each dance class will be open to a limit of 15 students in the Creative Commons. Others wishing to participate may do so via Zoom.

A Haitian Folklore Dance demonstration will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 17.

On Thursday, February 18, alumna and former Appalachian Ensemble member Elizabeth Brown will instruct a tap dance class from 5-6 p.m. Brown has a background in various dance forms such as tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary, urban, clogging and West African. Her dance career includes performances as the Mouse Queen in the Southwest Virginia Ballet presentation of “The Nutcracker” and an appearance in the the Davisson Brothers Band music video “Po Boys.” Brown also participated in The Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Summer Intensive. She currently teaches tap and ballet classes for youth.

A special showing of the PBS original documentary “From the Streets to the Stage: The Journey of Fredrick Davis” will take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 23.  The film chronicles Davis’ journey from his earliest and most difficult childhood memories to his busy life as a professional dancer. Davis is an alumnus of the Dance Theater of Harlem under the direction of Arthur Mitchell.

Broadway star and professional theatre artist Tony d’Alelio will present a theatre jazz dance class from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, February 24. d’Alelio recently performed throughout the nation as Mungojerrie in Andy Blankenbuehler’s Broadway revival of “Cats.” He also has performed in various other tours and off-Broadway productions.

Soul Food, Music and Art

Saturday, February 13 offers an evening filled with food, fun and entertainment. Events begin with Mama’s Kitchen Soul Food Dinner from 6-7 p.m. in the Creative Commons. R&B music begins at 7 p.m. just in time for a paint and sip session led by D&E senior and artist Jakeya Perrin. The event is limited to 15 students.

Food for Thought

Davis & Elkins Career Services and the Black Student Union will present a virtual discussion titled “Unconscious Bias” from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, February 16.

Two events are planned for Wednesday, February 17. A discussion titled “Haitian Revolution 1804” and presented by Cynthia Arango and Eleonora Pierre will take place virtually from noon to 1 p.m., followed by a Haitian Folklore Dance demonstration. The event is sponsored by the Presidential Initiative on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Throughout the day, D&E Career Services will host “Do You See Me?” The professional dress partnership with the Black Student Union explores Afrocentric attire and natural hairstyles.

A poetry slam is set for 8 p.m. Friday, February 19 in the new event space at Myles Center for the Arts.

February has been designated as Black History Month in the United States each year since 1976. The celebration recognizes the achievements of African Americans and their central role in U.S. history.