HISTORY | Vital visions

Many local institutions are celebrating African-American History Month with activities in February. The Vachel Lindsay Home offers viewings of two films, Hallelujah!, one of the first MGM all-black films, on Feb. 4; and The Scar of Shame, a 1927 crime drama from the Colored Players Film Corporation, on March 3. Both shows start at 2 p.m. and require reservations by phone. Lincoln Land Community College features free events including a trivia game show on Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an African- American Food and Vendor Day on Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., both in A. Lincoln Commons. Children ages 4-8 and their families can learn about Illinois African-American musicians and make percussion instruments on Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Illinois State Museum’s Super Saturday. The Springfield and Central Illinois African- American History Museum will host a Grand Opening Gala on Thursday, Feb. 23, 5- 7:30 p.m. at its location in the National Museum of Surveying with speaker Dr. Matthew Holden, Jr., refreshments and music. For more African-American History Month happenings or details, visit our calendar at illinoistimes.com/Springfield/events.