Located among pristine woodlands in the Ryerson historic home in Riverwoods, Il., Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods promotes the importance of nature for nurturing personal and community wellbeing, cultivating creativity, and inspiring learning.
February 22 @ 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Initiatives
Public Arts ProgramsJoyful! A Celebration of Black History Month
Culinary Experience- 12:30 pm, Concert- 2:00 pm
Back by popular demand, Brushwood Center hosts an immersive Black History Month experience that brings together music, storytelling, and food as powerful vessels of cultural memory and celebration. This special event honors the richness, resilience, and creativity of Black artistic traditions, inviting audiences to engage with history not only as something remembered, but as something felt and shared.
Angela Walker, a U.S. Navy Veteran and jazz vocalist, curates a musical afternoon sharing examples of stories that speak across generations and resonate in the present moment. The program weaves sound and story into a collective reflection on Black artistry as both a historical force and a living, evolving expression.
Complementing the performance is a curated Culinary Experience by Jeff Williams, whose dishes reflect the deep connections between food, culture, and identity. Thoughtfully prepared and richly inspired, the culinary component extends the storytelling beyond the stage, offering flavors that echo the themes of the evening and invite conversation, connection, and reflection.
The Culinary Experience will begin at 12:30 pm, the concert at 2:00 pm
Together, performance and cuisine create a multi-sensory celebration of Black history honoring tradition, elevating contemporary voices, and fostering community in the shared spirit of discovery and appreciation.
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