BRADFORD, Pa. - The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will hold a variety of events during February in recognition of Black History Month, ranging from open mic night to the annual Cultural Festival.

The events are sponsored by the Black History Month committee, which wanted to increase its offerings this year and emphasize the education of students, faculty and staff about African-Americans and their accomplishments. The public is invited to the following events.

Events kick off with a cultural dinner in the dining hall on Feb. 1 that will feature a soul food menu developed by the African-American Student Union, music by black artists and informational posters about famous and influential black Americans.

Dinner is from 5 to 7 p.m. in the KOA Dining Hall and costs $8.60.

Dr. Richard G. Frederick, professor of history, will discuss the "International Sweethearts of Rhythm" at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 6, in the Mukaiyama Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. It is free and open to the public.

"The International Sweethearts of Rhythm began as a girls' amateur swing band that was sent out by a small, African-American school in rural Mississippi to raise money for the school to stay open," Frederick said. "To the surprise of everyone, they became a nationally famous, very professional all-girls' band which played in all the big venues of the early '40s, entertained the troops during World War II, and travelled overseas at the end of the war."

The event is sponsored by the History/Political Science Club.

On Feb. 11, the SUNY Cortland Gospel Choir will perform at 6:30 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater of Blaisdell Hall. The choir is a diverse group of students from throughout New York state and is part of the Cortland African American Studies Program. The performance is part of the university's Spectrum Series.

On Feb. 16, students are encouraged to bring poetry, stories, music or other talents to open mic night from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Harriett B. Wick Chapel.

The entire campus community will celebrate its diversity at the popular annual One World Cultural Festival from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. Those attending are asked to bring a dish to share, preferably one from their culture.

On Feb. 28, spoken-word artist Asia Samson brings The Asia Project to Pitt-Bradford from 9 to 11 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons.

Asia has been featured on HBO Def Poetry and BET J Lyric Café and has been awarded the Performer of the Year award by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. Find out more at theasiaproject.com.

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