larger view

January 15^th The Big Read Kickoff at the Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St 5:30-7 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. Join local officials, educators and community leaders to launch this month-long community wide read and celebration of literacy featuring Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. This partnership between the Kern County Library and the Bakersfield Museum of Art is a result of a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services with additional sponsorship by many other companies and agencies.  Music and refreshments provided; copies of the book available for purchase. Special guest Dr. Fitzabert Marius will share recollections of the Harlem Renaissance. Call David Gordon for information 323-7219

January 22^nd “Their Eyes Were Watching God” Movie Screening at the Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave 7 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. Watch the film adaptation of the novel. After the movie there will be a discussion moderated by Hal Friedman from the Spotlight Theatre. Call the Beale Information desk 868-0745

January 23^rd   Zora’s Night at the Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. Travel back in time listening to readings from Hurston’s prose and dressing in 1920s Harlem Renaissance garb. Presented by The New Vision Women’s Group. Call Glenda Rust for information 398-8684

January 30^th CSUB Black History Month Kickoff at the Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St  7-9:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. Join California State University, Bakersfield officials as Black History Month begins. Tour the Harlem Renaissance Exhibit and listen to music and readings from the novel. Refreshments and Big Read materials available. Call Keith Powell for information 654-3216

January 31^st “What’s the Hurry, Brer Fox?” at the Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave 2-4 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. Enjoy family storytime featuring folktales, songs, chants, and crafts in the African-American tradition.

Contact the Beale Information Desk 868-0745

February 7^th The Kern County Student Art Show with Harlem Renaissance Essay and Art Contest at the Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St 2-4 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. Enjoy art by local high school students inspired by the Harlem Renaissance; art contest judging provided by curator Emily Falk. The winner of the Harlem Renaissance essay contest will share their winning prose at 1:30 p.m. All galleries open; refreshments provided. Contact David Gordon for information 323-7219

February 7^th Harlem and Beyond: Celebrating Five Decades of Black Gospel Music at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 825 California Ave 6-9 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. Enjoy this concert highlighting popular Gospel music from the 20s to the 60s and featuring a host of local choirs, quartets, soloists and gospel historians. Contact Brenda Scobey for information 868-0745

February 10^th Harlem Renaissance Jazz Tribute by the Bakersfield Jazz Orchestra at the Nile Theater, 1721 19^th St 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. The Bakersfield Jazz Orchestra will perform a tribute to the Harlem Renaissance with music from such jazz greats as Duke Ellington; they will continue to jam following the concert for those who can’t get enough jazz! Call Steve Eisen for information 444-0853

February 11^th “Their Eyes Were Watching God” Bakersfield College Library Panel Discussion at the Bakersfield College Grace Van Dyke Bird Library, 1801 Panorama Dr  7-8:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. Panel members from the BC faculty including Kathy Freeman from the English department and librarian Marci Lingo will discuss the novel and Hurston’s legacy as writer and folklorist, as well as the Harlem Renaissance as the historical and social milieu of the novel. Call Anna Agenjo for information 395-4463

February 12^th The Tea Cake Soiree at the Adobe Krow Archives, 430 18^th St 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public, all ages. The Archives will serve tasty tea cakes in honor of one of the characters from the novel. Call Dee Slade for information 323-9442