Events

Beems Auditorium A

Based on the Who Was Story Time series, on the second Saturday of the month a middle or high-school student will transform into a famous African American and lead a story hour.

This year the Cedar Rapids Public Library is partnering with the African American Museum of Iowa to provide a collaborative story time highlighting and celebrating local and national African American historical and contemporary figures. Over the span of the entire year, there will be creative projects, musical activities and more. This program is most beneficial for children between the ages of 6-12 years old. All are welcome.

https://events.crlibrary.org/event/3498939

Whipple Auditorium

Hosted by the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

"Segregation for a New Generation Teach Us All" a film by Sonia Lowman

On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the 1957 Little Rock school desegregation crisis, educational inequality remained among the most urgent civil rights issues of our time. With its school district hanging in the balance, following a state takeover in January 2015, Little Rock presented a microcosm of the inequities and challenges manifesting in classrooms all across America. Through case studies in Little Rock, New York City, and Los Angeles, TEACH US ALL, seeks to bring the critical lessons of history to bear on the current state of U.S. education and investigate: 60 years later, how far have we come, or not come, and how do we catalyze action from here?

Free Popcorn

Musical Performance by Blake Shaw

Various Workshops and Community Service

Common Grounds

Special Edition

This informal social group usually meets every Friday morning but join us today as we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We'll discuss books, movies and media that share his legacy.

Enjoy making new connections? Lonely? New to town? Meet other community members for lively conversation in the Commons. This informal social group is a great way to beat the winter blues and enjoy the company of new friends

https://events.crlibrary.org/event/3737561

Mark your calendars now for our annual MLK Day celebration! We will be offering $1 admission and educational opportunities. Check back soon for more information.

https://blackiowa.org/event/martin-luther-king-jr-day-celebration/

Howard University Film Professor S. Torriano Berro

Today, as we honor the work of Dr. King, we'll make art from non-violent protest print media. 

Learn about the history of the civil rights movement, resources that connect you to this historic period of American history and contemporary artists who continue this vital work.

https://events.crlibrary.org/event/3737695

5-6p Community Meal (Free will offering)
6:30p Service

An evening of poetry, music and inspiration:
Presentation of the Dr. Percy & Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor?” Award
Music by St. Paul’s and Coe Concert Choirs, Mt. Zion Men’s Chorus, Amen Choir
Readings by Diamond Roundtree, Zette St. Charles, and Caleb Rainey 
Performance by the Washington High School Step Team

Writers’ Workshop graduate Kiley Reid will read from and talk about her new novel, Such a Fun Age.  This debut novel dives head first into matters of race and privilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both. Generating extraordinary pre-publication excitement, film and TV rights have already been acquired, and the book has received praise from writers such as Chloe Benjamin and Paul Harding. 

Such a Fun Age was selected as Reese Witherspoon’s book club pick for January!  Kiley Reid’s short stories have been featured and are forthcoming in Ploughshares, December, New South, and Lumina, where her short story was the first-place winner in the 2017 Flash Prose Contest.   She lives in Philadelphia.

https://www.prairielights.com/live/kiley-reid

https://www.facebook.com/events/2610058892423684/?active_tab=about

TICKETS 

ADULT: $85 | $75 | $55
COLLEGE STUDENT: $70 | $50 | $50
YOUTH: $70 | $50 | $50

Friday, January 24, 2020, 8:00 pm

Saturday, January 25, 2020, 1:00 pm

Saturday, January 25, 2020, 6:30 pm

The Color Purple is the 2016 Tony Award^® winner for Best Musical Revival! Hailed as “a direct hit to the heart” (The Hollywood Reporter), this joyous American classic about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South has conquered Broadway in an all-new “ravishingly reconceived production that is a glory to behold” (The New York Times).

The performance on Saturday, January 25, at 1 pm, will feature an American Sign Language interpreter. Audio Description is also available for this performance.

New! Preorder food from the Stanley Café!

Avoid the lines by making your food selections before you come to Hancher Auditorium. The Stanley Café will have staff members ready to get your order—including beverages you order when you pick up your food--fast!

Event Partners:
Graduate Iowa City

https://hancher.uiowa.edu/2019-20/TheColorPurple

https://colorpurple.com/