Philadelphia is looking to pack as much black history as possible into the last week of February.
Tomorrow, the African-American Museum, located at Seventh and Arch streets, will host Soul Simpatico II, a night of entertainment featuring local neo-soul and jazz musicians, spoken word, dance and art.
And on Sunday, when admission is free, the museum will show the film Hotel Rwanda at 2:30 p.m.
These remaining events are aimed at increasing awareness of African-American culture, museum Associate Educator Justine Cox said.
"People know little of the contributions of African Americans," Cox said. "This is why we take time out to pay tribute."
She added that the events are not completely focused on racial history.
"This is not just Black History Month; it is American history," Cox said.
For its four-part Black History Month exhibition series, the Independence Visitors Center, located at Sixth and Market streets, will feature a collection of artifacts from the periods of slavery and Jim Crow laws this weekend.
The exhibit "is historically one of our most compelling and well-attended activities in the Black History Month celebration," said Kathleen Reis, Director of Marketing at the center.
She added that "attendance for this year has been off the charts."
For the remainder of the month, the museum offers daily storytelling, folktales and dancing in the African-American tradition.
On the arts scene, the Opera Company of Philadelphia will conclude its run of Margaret Garner this weekend, with performances today and Sunday.
The critically acclaimed opera centers on a fugitive slave who chooses to sacrifice her children in order to save them from slavery.
College sophomore Georgina Owino, communications and media manager of DuBois College House, has helped promote many Black History Month events on campus and said she encourages continued participation in such activities.
"I think Black History Month is something that goes on 365 days a year," Owino said. "It's something that students should be aware of every day."
Historical events - The African-American Museum at Seventh and Arch streets offers daily story telling, folktales and dancing - The Independence Visitors Center at Sixth and Market streets will feature artifacts from the time of slavery and Jim Crow
