Tag: Portsmouth Public Library

African American History Expo

The Portsmouth Public Library, Main Branch and Black History Now present an African American History Expo.  Celebrate African American history and music featuring handcrafted items, music from Porte Towne Magic, and speaker Jack Gary, Director of Archaeology for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.  Mr. Gary will discuss the excavations at the First Baptist Church in Williamsburg.  The church was organized in 1776 by a group of courageous slaves and free blacks who wanted to worship God in their own way.  Learn the fascinating history of this early African American congregation.  Free Event.

Caribbean Dreaming

Portsmouth Public Library and Black History Now presents Caribbean Dreaming, an opportunity to explore Caribbean Steel Drums through a historical and musical demonstration.  Learn how drums were outlawed on many Caribbean islands and how they came to be made from steel.  A unique sound and art form was created by politics.  Learn how the people of the Caribbean became independent and at the same time created an art all their own.  Free event.