This weekend marks the first anniversary of the grand opening of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. To celebrate, the museum is holding Freedom Weekend, a celebration with music, dancing, activities and culture.
“[Freedom Weekend] provides opportunities to talk about freedom and what the African-American story has meant to the evolution of our freer society,” said Reginald F. Lewis Museum Executive Director David Terry. “We wanted to capture the spirit of what the museum is about, wanted to pull into a repeatable set of programs. Freedom weekend is about the pursuit and celebration of freedom.”
Saturday?s program will offer arts and crafts activities, storytelling and a cake-cutting ceremony. Michelle Love will recite spoken word poetry, comedienne Meshelle will perform and underground railroad puppet stories will feature Schroeder Cherry. On Sunday, Daniel Ssuuna will tell East African stories, the Kuumba Theatre will present “The Avenue: A Renaissance of its Own” and Dance Baltimore?s Community Dancers will perform.
“In many ways, our grand opening was a testament to the progress of not only African-Americans in Maryland as individuals but to all Maryland as a society in the last 30 to 35 years,” Terry said. “[What we are hoping for] is to see folks come back. We?ve had tremendous, enthusiastic visitations. Many people who have not been here since last summer can see the wonderful new things and fresh programs we have.”
Group Sales and Special Events Representative Cori Ramos said she believes that Freedom Weekend will eventually be expanded. “We?re looking to build on Freedom Weekend. We hope to build a into Freedom Week, with week-long events,” she said.
“To be able to have a $40 million state-of-the-art museum [dedicated to African-American culture] speaks to where we are as a society here in Maryland,” Dr. Terry said. “It?s part of a progression to a more open democracy. This museum, in many ways, represents our coming to fruition with a lot of aspects of our freedom as Americans.”
Freedom Weekend 2006
» Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture
» 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore
» Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
» Sunday: Noon to 4:30 p.m.
» Tickets: $1
» More info: www.africanamericanculture.org, 443-263-1800.
