Black History Month takes place in February in recognition of the history, contributions and culture of Canadians of African and African-American decent.

In 2020, Black History Month ran from February 1st to 29th (so for one day more than usual due to 2020 being a leap year). In 2021 it ran for the full month of February. That being said, because of COVID-19, there wasn’t a lot happening (at least not compared to past recent years).

There were virtual events celebrating black history and culture in February 2021, but no large live events. For more information about what happened click Black History Month in Vancouver.

Black History Month in Vancouver

February is Black History Month in both Canada and the United States (where in America it is also known as African-American History Month). As a result, Vancouver features a number of performances and events that honour the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians.

The theme for Black History Month in 2020 was “Canadians of African Descent: Going forward, guided by the past”. The theme and other details for 2022 are to be confirmed.

Black History Month Events

Some of the events taking place in Vancouver in 2022 are listed below. Further down the page is a list of events that took place a couple years ago in honour of Black History Month. There were film screenings, performances and other events. Some of the events we list were specifically “Black History Month” events. Others though simply featured African-American talent and just happened to take place in February.

(Note: Times, dates and other details are subject to change. See official websites for more information.)

Events in 2022

As of mid-January, below are some events related to Black History Month that are scheduled for February 2022.

Thursday, February 17th (2022)

• Homegoing: Blackness and Belonging – a lecture by Debra Thompson at 6:30 pm at the SFU Vancouver Campus at 515 West Hastings Street (available both in-person and online).

Saturday, February 19th (2022)

• AFAM African Fashion Week – a fashion show with food and drinks at 7:00 pm at the BMO Theatre Centre at 162 West 1st Avenue in Vancouver.

Film Screenings in 2020

Black History Month film screenings took place at either the Vancity Theatre at 1181 Seymour Street or The Cinematheque at 1131 Howe Street in Vancouver.

Saturday, February 1st (2020)

• Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse – at 11:45 am at the Vancity Theatre.
• Ethnic Notions + Affirmations – at 2:30 pm at The Cinematheque.
• Color Adjustment – at 4:00 pm at The Cinematheque.

Monday, February 3rd (2020)

• Harriet – at 6:20 pm at the Vancity Theatre.
• Boyz n the Hood – at 8:40 pm at the Vancity Theatre.

Monday, February 10th (2020) 

• Watermelon Woman – with the Vancouver Queer Film Festival at 6:30 pm at the Vancity Theatre.
• Long Time Comin’ – at 8:30 pm at the Vancity Theatre.

Thursday, February 13th (2020)

• Journey to Justice – at 7:00 pm at The Cinematheque.

Monday, February 17th (2020)

• The Sound of Masks – at 6:30 pm at the Vancity Theatre.
• My Friend Fela – at 8:10 pm at the Vancity Theatre.

Monday, February 24th (2020)

• Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am – at 6:30 pm at the Vancity Theatre.
• Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror – at 8:45 pm at the Vancity Theatre.

Wednesday, February 26th (2020)

• The Giverny Document (Single Channel) – at 8:00 pm at the Vancity Theatre.

Saturday, February 29th (2020)

• Blacula – at 8:10 pm at the Vancity Theatre.

TIP: The Vancouver South African Film Festival also took place from March 27th to March 29th in 2020.

Shows and Performances in 2020

Various performances that took place across Vancouver during Black History Month a couple of years ago included the following:

Saturday, February 1st (2020)

• 9th Annual Stayed on Freedom – a Musical Celebration of Black History Month with the Marcus Mosely Chorale and City Soul Choir at 2:30 and 7:30 pm at Christ Church Cathedral at 690 Burrard Street.
• She, Mami Wata and The Pussy WitchHunt – at the PuSh Festival at 8:00 pm at Performance Works at 1218 Cartwright Street on Granville Island.
• Ezra Kwizera – at 10:00 pm at Guilt and Company downstairs at 1 Alexander Street in Gastown.
• House of Comedy – Jackie Fabulous from America’s Got Talent fame entertains at the Columbia Theatre in New Westminster. Also on stage is Kwasi Thomas.

Sunday, February 2nd (2020)

• House of Comedy – Jackie Fabulous from America’s Got Talent fame entertains at the Columbia Theatre in New Westminster.

Tuesday, February 4th (2020)

• Underneath the Harlem Moon – at 9:30 pm at Guilt and Company downstairs at 1 Alexander Street in Gastown.
  

Thursday, February 6th (2020)

• Cutlass Spring – at the Push Festival at 8:00 pm at the Scotiabank Dance Centre at 677 Davie Street.
• GroundUp featuring Dutch Robinson – at 9:30 pm at Guilt and Company in Gastown.
• Tonye Aganaba: a Celebration of Canadian Black Herstory – at the Museum of Anthropology at 8 pm. Cost is $8. (SOLD OUT)

Friday, February 7th (2020)

• Root: an Afrocentric Experience for Black History Month – at 7:00 pm at the Commercial Street Cafe at 3599 Commercial Street.
• Cutlass Spring – at the Push Festival at 8:00 pm at the Scotiabank Dance Centre at 677 Davie Street.

Saturday, February 8th (2020)

• Cutlass Spring – at the Push Festival at 8:00 pm at the Scotiabank Dance Centre at 677 Davie Street.

Sunday, February 9th (2020)

• Jazz Vespers
  • At Northwood United Church in Surrey with the Marcus Mosley Chorale. Admission is by donation.
  • At 4 pm at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church in Vancouver. Today’s event features various artists performing in honour of Black History Month.

Thursday, February 13th (2020)

• JFL NorthWest Comedy Festival presents Donnell Rawlings – at 7:00 pm at the Rio Theatre at 1660 East Broadway Street.

Friday, February 14th (2020)

• Level Up: Queer Hip-Hop Valentine’s Day – at 9:30 pm at the Warehouse at 550 Malkin Avenue.

Saturday, February 15th (2020)

• JFL NorthWest Comedy Festival presents Chris Redd – at 9:30 pm at the Biltmore Cabaret at 2755 Prince Edward Street.

Sunday, February 16th (2020)

• Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrew’s Wesley with Ada Lee. Admission is by donation.

Wednesday, February 19th (2020)

• JFL NorthWest Comedy Festival presents Preacher Lawson – at 7:00 pm at the Biltmore Cabaret at 2755 Prince Edward Street.

Thursday, February 20th (2020)

• JFL NorthWest Comedy Festival presents Jay Pharaoh – at 7:00 pm at the Vogue Theatre at 918 Granville Street.
• Yoro (with a special guest) – at 8:30 pm at the Calabash Bistro at 428 Carrall Street.

Friday, February 21st (2020)

• JFL NorthWest Comedy Festival presents Dulcé Sloan – at 7:00 and 9:30 pm at Yuk Yuks at 2837 Cambie Street.
• JFL NorthWest Comedy Festival presents Ron Funches – at 7:00 pm at the Rio Theatre at 1660 East Broadway Street.

Saturday, February 22nd (2020)

• JFL NorthWest Comedy Festival presents Dulcé Sloan – at 7:00 and 9:30 pm at Yuk Yuks at 2837 Cambie Street.

Friday, February 28th (2020)

• Best of Enemies – at 2:00 and 8:00 pm at the Pacific Theatre at 1440 West 12th Avenue.

Saturday, February 29th (2020)

• Best of Enemies – at 2:00 and 8:00 pm at the Pacific Theatre at 1440 West 12th Avenue.
• We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior – at 8:00 pm at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at 6265 Crescent Road.

Other Black History Community Events in 2020

Below is a selection of other events that took place during Black History Month in Vancouver in 2020. For a full list of events, see the Black History Month website.

Saturday, February 1st (2020)

• Black History Month Celebration – from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Vancouver Public Library at 350 West Georgia Street.

Sunday, February 2nd (2020)

• Black History Month Kickoff – from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at the Vancouver Public Library at 350 West Georgia Street.
• The Black Market – at 1:00 pm at 8 East Pender Street.

Thursday, February 6th (2020)

• Youssef Kromah in Vancouver: An Evening of Art and Poetry – from 8:00 to 11:00 pm at the Porto Café at 2207 Cambie Street.

Saturday, February 8th (2020)

• Afro Hiit Class – at 4:00 pm at 119 West Broadway Street.
• 2020 Afro Gala – at 6:00 pm at St. Luke’s Hall at 2028 Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge

Saturday, February 15th (2020)

• Gospel Music Workshop with Terrance Kelly – from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Epiphany Chapel at 6030 Chancellor Boulevard.
• Family Fun Day – from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the 3rd Floor at 4460 Beresford Street.
• African Fashion and Arts Movement Vancouver – at 4:00 pm at the Pinnacle Ballroom at 138 Victory Ship Way in North Vancouver.
• Black Love Mixer – at 6:00 pm at The Loft Lounge at 1184 Denman Street.

Sunday, February 16th (2020)

• The Black Market – at 1:00 pm at 8 East Pender Street.

Saturday, February 22nd (2020)

• 19th Annual Black History Market and Cultural Showcase – at 2:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion at 2205 Commercial Drive.
• NCBWF Black History Month Celebration Legacy Dinner – from 5:00 to 11:00 pm at the Bonsor Recreation Complex at 6550 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby.

Sunday, February 23rd (2020)

• Melanin Mixer Presents: in Full Bloom – at 10:00 am at Werklab Inc. at 290-1275 Venables Street.
• The Black Market – at 1:00 pm at 8 East Pender Street.

Saturday, February 29th (2020)

• Black Futures Gala by Black Lives Matter – at 7:30 pm at The Beaumont Studios at 316 West 5th Avenue.

Other Information

For more details click Black History Month in Vancouver.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following:

• Vancouver’s February Calendar
• Free February Events
• Vancouver Festivals & Events
• Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
• Multicultural Heritage Months in Vancouver

Odihi is an organization that works to empower black women and girls. An event it hosts is the On Your Block Festival in New Westminster in the summer.