Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - As Black History Month is celebrated across the nation, the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is once again hosting the annual "Black Mosaic" event. This free music and dance showcase celebrates and honors the rich history and contributions of the Black community, with this year's performances featuring local elementary school students. The community is invited to attend one of three performances happening this month.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his excitement for this year's event, stating, "As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, it is inspiring to see our local youth bring the stories of Black culture and history to life. These performances remind us that this history is living and carried forward by the next generation as we build a more inclusive future together."

"Black Mosaic" is a collection of literature, poetry, music, and plays that highlight the depth and complexity of Black history and culture through creative and engaging performances by professionally trained actors. This year also features a new addition to the cast - students from Burbank Elementary School's LB WRAP After School Program. This partnership provides these young students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and newly learned acting skills to their community.

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The performances will feature works from renowned authors such as William Shakespeare and Maya Angelou, weaving together various moments in Black history through humor, reflection, resilience, and critique. The three performances will take place at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on February 14th at 2 p.m., Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park on February 19th at 6 p.m., and Long Beach Senior Center on February 23rd at 6 p.m.

Dr. Melanie Curtis Andrews, a lifetime human rights advocate and co-founder of Inner City Shakespeare Company, curated and directed "Black Mosaic." This marks the second year that PRM has partnered with Dr. Andrews to host these community performances in honor of Black History Month.

In the past year, PRM's Partnerships Division has collaborated with Dr. Andrews to establish the LB Performing Arts Collective, an initiative aimed at bringing performing arts programming to underserved neighborhoods in Long Beach. This new arts initiative is dedicated to engaging diverse youth and community members in the performing arts through collaborative productions, mentorship, and creative engagement.

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Stephen P. Scott, Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine, stated, "We are committed to offering quality and accessible youth programming within our parks and open spaces. The establishment of the LB Performing Arts Collective is an opportunity to expand our partnerships with local performing arts organizations and bring new culturally relevant programming opportunities that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve."

Dr. Andrews expressed her gratitude for being able to continue her personal tradition of creating events for Black History Month, especially during its 100th year. She stated, "My play entertains and teaches - I am honored to work with such talented young artists, many of them Long Beach residents."

The LB Performing Arts Collective aligns with PRM's Parks Make Long Beach Strategic Plan by expanding arts and culture programming in parks across the city, increasing programming at parks in North, West, and Central Long Beach, creating spaces for community-led culturally specific programming with marginalized groups, and connecting with educational institutions and nonprofits to expand programming.

For more information about the LB Performing Arts Collective or to get involved, please email info@longbeachpac.org. To discover PRM's full lineup of parks, facilities, programs, and services available for the Long Beach community visit LBParks.org.

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