Happenings February 15 - 21, 2026

                                                                                                                                   

                                                   

This month is exciting and from the beginning off the week until next week there are so many events that capture a variety of interests.

If you live in Florida, you can visit any Florida State Park for free through Monday, February 16^th. That includes Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne National Park, Everglades National Park and more. Please check your local listings for more details at floridanationalparks.org.

Join renowned contemporary artist Titus Kaphar  at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art as he discusses his artistic practice and body of work, including several pieces on view in the VMFA installation Titus Kaphar and Junius Brutus Stearns: Pictures More Famous than the Truth, as well as those featured in Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. The talk takes place on Sunday, February 15^th from 2-3pm. For more information go to vmfa.museum.

For anyone looking for a sweet treat the day after Valentine’s Day on Sunday, February 15 The Strawberry Shortcake “Bakeshop” Pop -up in NYC is the place for you. Wild Brain’s beloved Strawberry Shortcake is partnering with Magnolia Bakery to bring the sweetest “Galentine’s" Day Event from 11am-5pm at 188 Lafayette St. You can meet Strawberry Shortcake, get a glimpse of the latest launches, take part in bestie beading, cupcake giveaways and more. For more information go to nycforfree.co

The Paley Museum in NYC is celebrating Black History Month with Chef’s Night: A Culinary Tribute to Black History on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:30pm The conversation features chefs who have shaped television, media, and American culture on camera. The program will showcase curated samples of each panelist’s digital and television work. Panelists include Emmy-winning Host, Chef, Author & Restaurateur Kardea Brown, Celebrity Chef & Founder, FIELDTRIP JJ Johnson, James Beard Award-winning Executive Chef at Saga Charlie Mitchell, James Beard Award–winning Chef, Author, Restaurateur & Culinary Activist Alexander Smalls, Chef & Owner of Melba’s Restaurant Melba Wilson. For more information go to paleycenter.org

On Tuesday,  February 17^th at 5pm the Mott Haven Library NYPL in The Bronx is hosting a scanning party for Black History Month. This is the second session of BCHS “South Bronx History Keepers” and attendees are encouraged to bring family photos, documents, flyers, etc. to get scanned and digitized for free. Registration is Free at https://bronxhistory.org/historykeepers.

                                                             

The Most powerful Solar eclipse of the year is happening on Tuesday, February 17^th. The ring of Fire will only be visible form a remote area in Antarctica with partial views in South America and Southern Africa. An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is farther from Earth, so it doesn't fully block the Sun, leaving a fiery ring. The eclipse will occur at around 12:13 UTC for about 2 minutes. Though most people won’t be able to see the eclipse, there are said to be some spiritual components to the celestial event. For more information go to space.com.

                                              

HBO and The Tenant Museum in NYC are giving fans of the Gilded Age something special. On Wednesday,  February 18 at 6:30 pm at WNYC’s Green Space actress Denee Benton, who plays Peggy on the Gilded Age, will sit down to discuss Black Americans in late 19th century NYC. Peggy's character has opened up a new world to Gilded Age viewers, giving them glimpses into uncomfortable conversations on skin color to Black classism. The Gilded Age has explored facets of Black life that have largely been ignored on mainstream TV.  Benton will be joined by historian Leslie Harris, and the Tenement Museum’s Marquis Taylor, and @allofitwnyc's Alison Stewart in a panel conversation about elite Black professionals in late 19^th century New York. To purchase tickets go to www.tenement.org.

On Wednesday, February 18^th,11-12pm PST/ 2-3pm EST members of the MPA Collaborative Network’s Black Community Group (BCG) are coming together for The Duality of Black and Blue | A Conversation with Community Organizations Creating Joy and Curiosity in Marine Ecosystems. The panel includes community organizations in California working to foster spaces for the Black community to build a relationship with marine ecosystems. The panelists for the webinar are Bonner, Founder / Executive Director of Black Surf Santa Cruz, Risa Bell, Founder / CEO of Paddle for Peace and Chris Ragland, Founder / Executive Director of Sea League. For more information go to bit.ly/bcg2026.

                                                

The Blackbird Collective in Culver City, CA is hosting DonVersations with actor Don Cheadle. Cheadle who is known for his roles in The Oceans 11 franchise, Hotel Rwanda, House of Lies, and Talk to Me among other notable films will have a fireside chat with actress Regina Hall on Thursday, February 19^th at 5:30pm PST at Blackbird Flagship. To purchase tickets go to https://luma.com/kfdnw004

In Baltimore, the premiere of Trinity a play by Emmy winner Lena Waithe has been the talk of the town since it premiered on February 12. This is Waithe’s playwright and stage acting debut and features three characters reflecting on relationships, intimacy and identity. On Saturday, February 21 at 2pm choreographer and icon Debbie Allen will join Waithe for a post-show talk exploring creative journeys. For more information and to purchase tickets go centerstage.org.

Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington DC is honoring the Memory of Book World with a conversation featuring alums of the Washington Post Book World section on Saturday, February 21 at 5pm.  Book World was included as a part of the Washington Post’s cuts that affected 300 journalists and is a blow to the literary world. The event has garnered support from stars in the literary scene and will be attended by Author Rita Dove, Editor – in - Chief of Book World John Williams, Writer Nora Krug, Author and Managing Editor of the Washington Post Steve Coll, and many more. For more information go to politics-prose.com.

           

Across the bridge in Virginia, the legacy of tennis player and activist Arthur Ashe is on display at The Black History Museum & Cultural Center in Richmond. The exhibition titled Arthur Ashe: An Enduring Legacy! Explores Ashe’s leadership, global impact as the first Black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team, and the only Black man ever to win the singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. Ashe lived with HIV and founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health to educate the public about the once considered deadly virus. The exhibition runs through June 13, 2026. For more information go to @bhmva

On February 21 at 2pm at Pine Camp Arts & Community Center join Richmond Virginia Parks and Recreation for an unforgettable afternoon as the Journey Program at Pine Camp Arts & Community Center presents "Creme de la Creme - The James Hemming Story" - a compelling theatrical journey that brings to life the incredible story of James Hemmings, one of America’s earliest culinary icons and a remarkable figure in history. For more information go to @rvaparksandrec

On Sunday, February 22, gather around the table at Bread +Butterfly in Atlanta for the Fourth Annual Edna Lewis Sunday Supper. The evening is dedicated to celebrating the life, legacy, and culinary influence of Edna Lewis—a pioneer of Southern cuisine and a storyteller through food. The collaborative dinner features chefs Max Hines, Demetrius Brown, Cleophus Hethington and Justin Dixon. For more information an to purchase tickets click here