By Brad Duncan

In honor of the 2003 observance of African-American History Month, the University of Kentucky will sponsor a full calendar of programs and activities throughout February and early March to mark this national celebration.

Jan. 30, 2003 (Lexington, Ky.) -- In honor of the 2003 observance of African-American History Month, the University of Kentucky will sponsor a full calendar of programs and activities throughout February and early March to mark this national celebration.

In commenting on the importance of the celebration, Ricardo Nazario-Colon, assistant director of the UK Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center said, “We regard these programs as being absolutely essential to the kind of student development programming that is necessary to these times. It is not only important for our students to gain life skills but they also must be conscious of developing an enlightened, informed worldview. These programs are offered to address that vital need.”

Saturday, Feb. 1: “Spotlight Jazz Concert featuring Dave Holland Quintet,” 8 p.m., Lexington Opera House, $23 for general public and $14 for UK/LCC students. This third concert in the 25th anniversary of the UK Spotlight Jazz Series will feature Jazz Bassist of the Year, Dave Holland with an all-star band. Sponsored by the UK Office of African American Student Affairs and the UK Student Activities Board.

Tuesday, Feb. 4: “Why We Celebrate Black History Month,” 6 p.m., William T. Young Library auditorium. This event will include a performance by the UK Black Voices, a dance performance and reflection on the purposes of the month-long celebration by Mildred Bailey of Minority Affairs. This event is sponsored by UK Minority Affairs and UK Residence Life.

Thursday, Feb. 6: “Crafting a Cinema of Words: 30 Years, a Poet,” Nikky Finney, professor of English and author of “The World is Round,” 5 p.m., 230 Student Center. Part of the UK Carter G. Woodson Lectures Series, sponsored by the UK African American Studies and Research Program.

Saturday, Feb. 8: “Ethnic Heritage Ensemble,” 7 p.m., UK Worsham Theatre. This Chicago-based, world-renowned musical ensemble will perform innovative music which fuses traditional African rhythm and modern African American musical expression. Event sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center, the Arts Action Collective, the Jazz Arts Foundation, WRFL and UK SAB.

Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Wednesday, March 5: Four films by Oscar Micheaux, the first African-American film maker, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center. Admission is free.

Feb. 12: “Body and Soul”

Feb. 19: “Lying Lips”

Feb. 26: “Murder in Harlem”

March 5: “Girl from Chicago”

Thursday, Feb. 13: “African-American Resilience: Coping with Hard Times,” Clarenda Phillips, professor of sociology, Morehead State University, 5 p.m., 230 UK Student Center. Part of the UK Carter G. Woodson Lectures Series, sponsored by the UK African American Studies and Research Program.

Monday, Feb. 17 - Monday, Feb. 24: “Eyes on the Prize,” Noon (and repeats), UK Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center. This series is a continuation to the award-winning, six-part television documentary on the Civil Rights Movement.

Feb. 17: “The Time Has Come (1964-1965)"

Feb. 18: “Two Societies (1965-1968)”

Feb. 19: “Ain’t Gonna Shuffle No More (1964-1972)”

Feb. 20: “The Promised Land (1967-1968)”

Feb. 21: “The Keys to the Kingdom (1974-1980)”

Feb. 24: “Back to the Movement (1979-Mid 80s)”

Tuesday, Feb. 18: “Living in the Bluegrass: An Historical Look at the African-American Experience in Lexington, Kentucky,” Gerald Smith, associate professor of history and director of the UK African American Studies and Research program, 4 p.m., 206 UK Student Center. The lecture/slide presentation is sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center and the Black Student Union.

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Presentation, Jenoyne Adams, author of “Resurrecting Mingus” and “Selah’s Bed,” and Michael Datcher, author of “Raising Fences,” 7 p.m., Worsham Theatre, UK Student Center. These two celebrated New York Times best-selling authors will offer presentations based on their literary work and life experience. Admission is free. Sponsored by UK Student Activities Board, UK Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center, and the UK African American Studies and Research Program.

Thursday, March 6: “Race and the Death Penalty in the 21st Century,” Roberta M. Harding, professor UK College of Law, 5 p.m., 230 UK Student Center. Lecture is sponsored by the UK Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center and the Black Student Union.

In addition to these many events, UKTV will air the rebroadcast of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration program held in Lexington on Jan. 20, 2003. The two-hour special will be shown on UK Channel 19 at 8 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 and at noon on the following Sundays: Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23.

For more information on individual events, contact the respective sponsors: Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center at (859) 257-4130 or (859) 323-1561 or the African American Student Affairs Office at (859) 257-5641.