Santa Monica Commemorates Black History Month With a Series of Events in February

Wednesday, February 1: Kickoff Event Featuring Food Trucks and Dancing; Brunch at City Yards, 10-11:30 a.m., Santa Monica City Yards, 2500 Michigan Ave., Flap Happy parking lot. Lunch at City Hall, 12-1:30 p.m., Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main St. 

Wednesday, February 1 through Tuesday, February 28 --Black History Month Exhibits: Stop by Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main St., during business hours to view exhibits featuring poetry aligning with the theme of Black Resistance. City Hall is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other Friday (closed Feb. 10 and 24). 

Black History Month Book Displays: All Santa Monica Library locations will feature Black History Month book displays. For information on Library branch hours, visit smpl.org. 

Thursday, February 2: Black History Month Concert and Documentary Film Screening

5:30 p.m., Main Library, MLK Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

The Santa Monica Library invites you to a free program that presents violin music, works by Black American composers performed by the Orchestra Santa Monica (OSM) Woodwind Quintet, and OSM's film, "We Gather: Black Life in Santa Monica told through Music, Visuals, and Narrative". Prior to this event, enjoy a cappella singing by members of Calvary Baptist Church of Santa Monica. 

Thursday, February 16: Screening of "The Gabby Douglas Story"

4-5:30 p.m., Pico Branch Library, The Annex, 2201 Pico Blvd.

The Santa Monica Library invites the public to a screening of "The Gabby Douglas Story," an inspiring look at the life of the first black gymnast to become the Individual All-Around Champion and the first American to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympics. For teens only.  

Tuesday, February 21: Mystery Book Group Discussion  

7-8 p.m., Zoom (registration required)

Join the Santa Monica Library for a discussion of Walter Mosley's "Trouble Is What I Do." Detective Leonid McGill is forced to confront the ghost of his felonious past when a nonagenarian Mississippi bluesman is targeted by an infamous assassin. To register, email library@santamonica.gov. 

Thursday, February 23: Catherine Adel West Discusses "The Two Lives of Sara"  

6-7:30 p.m., Zoom (registration required)

Join author Catherine Adel West for a virtual reading and discussion of her novel, "The Two Lives of Sara," an emotional and unforgettable story of hope, resilience, and unexpected love. Participants will be able to submit questions for the author during the event. The event will be facilitated by Alisa Orduña, PhD, a practitioner, policy analyst, collaborator and thought leader in homelessness services in the U.S. Click here for more information and to register.