All across the Hudson Valley, Black History Month is being celebrated in the arts. From stage shows to art exhibits and jazz concerts, the legacy of African-American culture is out in full view this month in numerous venues. Here's a look at a few events you can enjoy this month focused on African-American culture.WOODSTOCK — There are no historical markers, and the sites have been destroyed over the years, but William Cordova's photographic exploration of Mid-Hudson Black Panther and Young Lords chapters overlays activist history over modern life as a black or Latino man in America.
The photos of Timothy Portlock capture the effect of urban planning on the black community. The photographic work of these and 16 other artists from across the country draw from three years of work and participation in the Center for Photography of Woodstock's Artist-in-Residency program.
"They've worked in traditional film capture, gelatin silver and computer techniques ... really the full range of photographic options to express their art," said Ariel Shanberg, CPW's executive director.
"Made in Woodstock V: Artists of Color" is on display from noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday this month at the Center for Photography, 59 Tinker St., Woodstock. Call 679-9957 or visit www.cpw.org.
'Sam Cooke: Where You Been Baby?'
BEACON — Passing the Torch Through the Arts lights up the Howland Cultural Center Saturday with a performance of "Sam Cooke: Where You Been Baby?" at 8 p.m., detailing the life of singer, composer and music entrepreneur Sam Cooke.
"Sam Cooke is a pop-American fable," said the show's producer Michael Monasterial. "It's not a documentary. It's the essence of the fall from grace of a genius. Given the same options, what would you do? Cooke had a sense of pride in his company and in himself as an African-American man."
The play will also be performed Feb. 24 at SUNY Sullivan's Seelig Theater and Feb. 26 at the Rosendale Theatre, Main St., Rosendale.
The evening also features a musical tribute to three generations of African-American musicians, including Cooke's songs from the 1960s, R&B classics of the 1970s performed by Wendell Anderson and songs of the 1980s by Maya Monasterial.
The performance begins at 8 p.m. at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon. Tickets are $20, free for students. Monasterial said the same pricing will be in place for the Loch Sheldrake and Rosendale shows. Visit www.passingthetorchthroughthearts.com.
