Perseverance: Black Pioneers in Oregon — A unique exhibit, developed in collaboration with the Oregon Historical Society and the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers, highlights the environment and stories of early Oregon black pioneers who lived in the state prior to World War II. Now showing through April 3 at the Oregon History Museum, downtown.
Festival of African Films — Portland Community College’s Festival of African Films honors Black History Month with screenings and special events through March 5. For complete listings and more information, visit africanfilmfestival.org.
Ladies with the Blues — Ethos Music Center at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center presents “Sherman: A Jazz Opera” on the weekends of Feb. 18-20 and Feb. 25-27. For more details, visit ethos.org.
Norman Sylvester Band — Boogie Cat Norman Sylvester and his band performs Friday, Feb. 18 at Spirit Mountain Casino; and Saturday, Feb. 19 at the Cascade Bar and Grill in Vancouver.
Mayhem in Sherwood Forest — The outlaw Robin Hood is at loose and at large, disturbing the peace, breaking the law, and generally causing all manner of havoc and mayhem in Sherwood Forest. The scene comes alive in the stage production of Robin Hood, now playing through Feb. 20 at the Northwest Children’s Theater and School, 1819 N.W. Everett St.
Groundbreaking Documentary – Lewis & Clark College invites the community to celebrate Black History Month with the documentary “Black Is…Black Ain’t.” Filmmaker Marlon Riggs reveals a myriad of social forces that attempt to consolidate, reduce, and contain the lives and experiences of African Americans. Free screening on Monday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in Templeton Campus Center, 3rd floor.
Mel Brown Live — Portland jazz giant Mel Brown performs at Salty’s on the Columbia every Friday and Saturday night. Known as the “Gentleman of Jazz,” Brown has a career spanning over 40 years.
Children’s Musical — Oregon Children’s Theatre presents Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly, now playing through Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway. The world premier musical captures all of the droll humor and whimsy of the wildly popular books by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss.
Mysteries of Ancient Egypt — Through cutting-edge modern technology, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry will take visitors on a journey back in time to experience the mysteries and wonders of ancient Egypt in the new exhibition “Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science,” now playing through May 1.
Artists Celebrate Black History — Gallerie Rene’, 207 S.W. Pine, showcases the work of several local African and African-American artists in the February exhibit “Unity and Community.” The group of experienced and emerging artists brings a wide range of work including quilts, paintings, sculpture, photography and fine art prints.
Unsripted Crime Drama — The Unscriptables bring improvised theater to a new level with Lawful Order: Special Puppet Unit, now playing in the Unscriptables studio at 1121 N. Loring St.
Last Polar Bear exhibit — At the World Forest Center Discovery Museum, photographer Steven Kazlowski documents the devastating urgency of global warming’s impact on the Arctic in the photo exhibit, The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World. Show runs through April 3.
Discount Admission — OMSI visitors pay only $2 per person for general admission on the first Sunday of each month as well as discounted admission of $5 to the Planetarium, OMIMAX Theater and USS Blueback submarine.
Live Jazz — Every Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Third Degrees Lounge at the River Place Hotel, 1510 S.W. Harbor Way. No cover or minimum purchase. For more information, visit pdxjazz.com.
Music Millennium Free Shows — The Music Millennium, 3158 E. Burnside, hosts in-house live performances. Enjoy free music and the opportunity to meet artists. Call 503-231-8926 for a schedule.
Explore What Makes You Tick — OMSI’s new highly interactive exhibit “Identity: An Exhibition of You” explores the physical, psychological and social elements in your life and challenges our notions of personal identity.
