Black History Month 2023 in Calgary
Date Posted: Wednesday, February 1, 2023
February is Black History Month in Canada. Several Calgary organizations are hosting events in and around the city to celebrate and honour the legacy of Black culture and showcase local talent.
Here are some ways you can participate in Black History Month this year in Calgary – including talks, performances, events and more.
ENGAGE
EVENTS IN CALGARY
Jan. 26 – Feb. 10
Central Library
Feb. 1, 5 p.m.
Arts Commons | Engineered Air Theatre
All month
Calgary Public Library
All month
University of Calgary
Feb. 2, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Online - Zoom
Feb. 10 – 11
Arts Commons | Engineered Air Theatre
Feb. 10, 5:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Gasoline Alley Museum at Heritage Park
Feb. 18, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thorncliffe Community Centre, 5600 Centre Street N
Feb. 22-23, 1 p.m.
Studio Bell
Feb. 24 - 25, 12 – 6 p.m.
Carya Village Commons / TELUS Convention Centre
Feb. 25, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Contemporary Calgary | Dome Theatre
Feb. 27, 11 – 11:30 a.m.
SAIT | Irene Lewis Atrium, Stan Grad Centre, Main Campus
Hosting an upcoming Black History Month event? Publish it on our events page here.
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM
Each year for Black History Month in February, we amplify Black voices and celebrate the Black storytellers, content creators and businesses in our community. Meet this year's takeovers showcasing Black artists, creators, and entrepreneurs over on the @lifeincalgary Instagram this month. We invite you to follow them as they bring you along on their adventures around the city. Here’s the line-up:
Feb. 4 – 5: Justine Tyrell | @justinetyrell
Justine Tyrell is a Calgary-based singer & songwriter who blends smooth vocals with a fresh twist that makes her signature soulful and R&B sound. Justine has earned nominations for Singer of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year, Media Personality of the Year (Obsidian Awards), and was named one of Branded Magazine’s ‘Game Changers in Calgary’.
Photo credit: Juhee Anderson
Feb. 7 – 12: Arts Commons | @yycarts
Arts Commons is the largest performing arts center in Western Canada and Calgary's hub for artists and art lovers. They will be highlighting and celebrating Black artists in our community throughout the month of February.
Photo credit: Francis Willey | Sargeant X Comrade, TD Amplify Cabarets at Arts Commons
Feb. 14 – 19: Whitney Dikoume | @whits
Whitney Dikoume is a full-time athletic therapist, strength coach and part-time lifestyle, travel, food content creator in Calgary. She has called Calgary home for the last 15 years. As an athletic therapist, Whitney specializes in injury assessment/treatment and does performance training.
Photo credit: Hasina Kassam
Feb. 21 – 26: Queen Demme | @queendemme
Queendemme is a 7-part experiential multimedia journal offering a snapshot into the expressive energy of Black millennial creative women in Calgary. Featuring an intimate but diverse group of cherished locals, this project blends together written and multimedia to provide a lighthearted yet meaningful commentary on the existence of royalty in coffee-coloured skins in the prairies.
Photo credit: Queen Demme
SUPPORT LOCAL
There are so many incredible Black-owned Calgary businesses and brands to support in our community. Seek to support local and diverse businesses and groups not only in February but year-round. Here is a place to start:
SELF CARE & BEAUTY
- Ellie Bianca Beauty / @elliebiancabeauty
- Adoniaa Beauty / @adoniaabeauty
- T’oria Skincare / @toriaskincare
- Sugar YYC / @sugar.yyc
FASHION & ACCESSORIES
- Alora Boutique / @aloraboutique
- Adesso Man / @adressoman
- Ashabi Wears / @ashabiwears
- Coutukitsch / @coutukitsch
- Joyce’s Closet / @joycesclosetyyc
- Modern Civic / @modern.civic
- TeamBMB Apparel / @teambmbapparel
LIFESTYLE
- Ninth and Brick / @ninthandbrick
- Mersi Cookware & Co. / @mersicookware
- Sphere Optometry / @fittoreadproject
FOODIE
- AK Kitchen / @ahinkeskitchen
- Bolo Cakery / @bolocakery
- Chakalaka / @mamaafricayyc
- Pepchops BBQ / @pepchops
- True Ethiopian Coffee / @aggudo_coffee
- KFS BBQ Smokehouse
- Simply Irie – Caribbean Cuisine