KENILWORTH, N.J., Jan. 29, 2015 — A selection of inspiring African-American readings, music and art will highlight the Kenilworth Historical Society’s Black History Month Celebration on Sunday, February 22. The general public is invited to attend the event, which will take place at the newly restored Oswald J. Nitschke House “living history” museum and cultural arts center, 49 South 21 Street, Kenilworth, N.J. The celebration, which is appropriate for all age groups, will begin at 1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but advance registration (by February 15) is requested. Please call 908-709-0434 to register.
The event will feature an African-American “Read-In” conducted by local David Brearley Middle and High School students, who will present a selection of inspirational poetry by various Black authors. Members of the community, including a number of local churches, will also participate in the Read-In.
Additionally highlighting the celebration will be a performance of African-American spirituals sung by professional vocalists and Kenilworth residents Kerry and Betsy Stubbs, together with their children Melody and Orion, who also are experienced performers. In addition to bringing their musical talent to an extensive range of venues and audiences throughout the year, Kerry and Betsy Stubbs are employed as teachers – Kerry, as a music instructor for the Elizabeth Public School System and Betsy, as a voice instructor for Kean University and Caldwell University. The Stubbs Family Singers have been performing together for several years and specialize in “a cappella” singing. Their repertoire of spirituals celebrates the African-American contribution to American music.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to view an exhibition of inspiring original prints that were created by South African artists who participated in an art exchange program with students from David Brearley Middle and High School under the direction of local art instructor Janice Marsili. The artwork reflects the underlying value of art in bringing about social change and in promoting cross-cultural communications.
The African-American Read-In portion of the February 22 celebration is being coordinated by Nicole Warchol of the David Brearley English/Language Arts department in conjunction with the Twenty-Fifth National African-American Read-In sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and NCTE.
For further information, please call 908-709-0434.
The Kenilworth Historical Society is an independent, volunteer-based, non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the research, preservation and interpretation of the historic Oswald J. Nitschke House (c. 1880), local history and culture. The recently restored Nitschke House “living history” museum features five authentically furnished historic rooms on the first floor for interpreting life in the 1905-1934 period, an exhibition center on the second floor and a cultural arts center on the lower level, all of which are wheelchair accessible. For further details regarding the Kenilworth Historical Society and the Nitschke House, please visit the organization’s Web site at www.kenilworthhistoricalsociety.org. # # #