Part two of Vulcan Park‘s 2008 Collective Perspectives series, “Way Down South in Birmingham,” will take place on Tuesday, February 12 and feature Miles College jazz band director Daniel Western.
The series, entitled Neighborhoods: Artful Excursions Through Birmingham’s African-American Communities, is a celebration of Black history. Audra Bean, Vulcan Park’s director of marketing and public relations, describes it as “… a series of non-traditional programs that enlighten and educate people in Birmingham,” taking a deeper look at the city’s Black communities such as Ensley and Titusville through music, oral history, documentary film and folk art. Since Vulcan is seen as the center of Birmingham, Bean felt like the center should be educating people about the city’s past.
This week’s presentation will take a look at Birmingham during the its Jazz Age. Tuxedo Junction, located in the Nixon Building at the intersection of Ensley Avenue and 20th Street Ensley, was an entertainment and transportation hub, and one of the few places African Americans could relax after a hard day at work.
Tuesday’s program will consist of two parts, described by Vulcan’s director of education, Phillip Ratliff, as “edutainment” – one that is both educational and entertaining. There will also be a social hour and African-inspired foods by Chef LaNetta in addition to a cash bar prior to the presentation.
Ratliff said that the goal of the series is for everyone to come and have a good encounter with things that are important to our history, and for those people to learn and have fun.
The Collective Perspectives series runs every Tuesday throughout the month of February from 5 – 7 p.m. at Vulcan Park and Museum.
