Black History Month events, Feb. 23

ONGOING

“GEM OF THE OCEAN”: Through March 3 at Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. “Gem” is the first of August Wilson’s decade-by-decade account and archiving of the black experience during the 20th century. It is set in 1904 in Pittsburgh, with the house of Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old former slave, as the backdrop. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays; $15-$22.50. (803) 254-9732

TODAY

LEGENDS OF … CONCERT: Patti Austin and Ramsey Lewis, 8 tonight at the Koger Center. Tickets are $45-$65; VIP package (orchestra seats and reception), $95; seniors, students and groups of 10 or more, $40-$50. Proceeds benefit the Auntie Karen Foundation. (803) 251-2222; www.capitoltickets.com

THROUGH SATURDAY

“THE MEETING”: 7 tonight through Saturday in the Ponder Fine Arts Center Theater at Benedict College. Jeff Stetson’s fictional play about a clandestine meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in 1965. (803) 705-4518. For a complete schedule of Benedict’s events, go to www.benedict.edu/events and click on harambee.

SATURDAY

HARAMBEE FESTIVAL: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Mays Human Resources Center arena at Benedict College. Food, art, music, KIJIJI Children’s Village, health screenings, Gospel Choir concert and more. For a complete schedule of Benedict’s events, go to www.benedict.edu/events and click on harambee.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOWCASE: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday at Dutch Square Mall, 421 Bush River Road. Sponsored by the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, the family event will feature games, prizes, speeches and special guest appearances by Madame C.J. Walker, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. (803) 545-3100

AN AFTERNOON WITH THE RED TAILS: 2:30-4 p.m. Saturday at the Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport terminal lobby, 1400 Jim Hamilton Blvd. Meet members of the Columbia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. Free; sponsored by Richland County Council and the Richland County Airport Commission. (803) 576-2065

AFRICAN EXTRAVAGANZA: 5 p.m. Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1725 Gervais St. Black history celebration will feature art, African fashions, praise dancing, poetry, music, skits and a reception. (803) 799-1426

GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA: 6 p.m. Saturday at Greene Street United Methodist Church, 1106 Greene St. Sponsored by USC’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. For a complete schedule of USC’s events, go to http://www.sa.sc.edu/omsa/2012/.../black-history-month-calendar-of-events

SUNDAY

BLACK HISTORY PRODUCTION: 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Gunter’s Chapel Baptist Church, 1631 Windover Road. Church youth will present a timeline of African Americans’ journey from struggle to success.

WEDNESDAY

AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESENCE WALL: Unveiling ceremony and reception, 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Russell House Ballroom, USC. For more information, call the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, (803) 777-7716

COMEDIAN SHULER KING: 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Russell House Theater, USC. The Sumter native and 2007 USC grad will be performing for the Minority Assistance Peer Program (MAPP). For a complete schedule of USC’s events, go to http://www.sa.sc.edu/omsa/2012/.../black-history-month-calendar-of-events

BOUND FOR CANAAN: THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD: Presentation by historian Ron Roth, 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sandhills Branch of the Richland County Public Library. (803) 699-9230; www.myrcpl.com

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Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

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Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Black History Month events, Feb. 23

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