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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, February 5, 2014 | 4 Oakville celebrates black history with special events by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Dance ensemble Ballet Creole, drummer Muhtadi and spokenword artist Greg Frankson, are among the performers kicking off Black History Month at Oakville Town Hall tonight. The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) has teamed up with the Oakville Museum to present the event celebrating black culture in the community through music, dance, visual arts, film and storytelling. The opening reception is at 6:30 p.m., followed by performances at 7 p.m. Tours of a special travelling art exhibit showcasing early black history will also be given as part of the kickoff celebrations, said Veronica Tyrrell, CCAH president. Joan Butterfield, curator and art director for the Association of African Canadian Artists, will lead the tour that features 40 works from various artists, encompassing traditional and contemporary art. The exhibit continues at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Rd., until Feb. 14. Everyone is welcome at the event being held in conjunction with the TD Then and Now Series, which showcases past and present accomplishments of African and Caribbean Canadians from coast to coast, in the Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax areas throughout February. The event highlights black culture and heritage so people can appreciate the rich African and Caribbean cultural heritage and history. "We're hoping this will connect Canadians to the culture through a showcase of artistic performances," Butterfield said. Numerous other events will also be held to highlight Black History Month. A performer from Ballet Creole, above left, and spoken-word artist Greg `Ritallin' Frankson, will join drummer Muhtadi and others in performances celebrating Black History Month as a month of special events is kicked off tonight at Oakville Town Hall. | photos courtesy Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH). On Feb. 15, a drumming and slam poetry event will be featured at the Milton Public Library on Main St. from 3-4 p.m. Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, will host a jazz performance Feb. 23 from 2-4 p.m. The centre is located at 2302 Bridge Rd. Frankson, a spoken-word artist also known as Ritallin, will entertain students at St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School, 1201 Heritage Way, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. Oakville Museum at Navy Street features two permanent exhibits: Freedom, Opportunity and Family: Oakville's Black History and The Underground Railroad: Next Stop Freedom Permanent Exhibit. For more information about events, visit www.ccah.ca. EVERY HEART HAS A STORY TO TELL. THANKS TO YOU IT CAN BE TOLD. At Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, talented physicians like Dr. Michael Heffernan help care for patients with heart problems every day. Their expertise plus the life-saving equipment you help fund make it possible for remarkable stories to continue. Each and every year, our hospital needs hundreds of pieces of new equipment that will improve the lives of all of us here in Oakville. Every piece is critical and every piece needs to be funded by our community. It all starts here ­ with your help. Please call 905.338.4642 to share your story or make a donation. www.oakvillehospitalfoundation.com DR. MICHAEL HEFFERNAN OTMH CARDIOLOGIST