Meet and Greet with Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Friday, February 13, 6:00pm, Sparkle Bookstore, 642 Main St, Sparkill
Enjoy Surprise! Meet and Greet with Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, the author of Chain Gang All -Stars, which was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2023. He is a Guggenheim Fellow. His collection Friday Black won the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and he was a National Book Foundation “5 Under 35” honoree. Join him in the snack bar, where he’ll chat and sign books.
A Poem Party for Valentine’s Day
Saturday, February 14, 6:00pm, Homebody Books, 6 Park St, Nyack
Read a love poem or two from the greats aloud (or just listen) and enjoy some LOVEly refreshments.
The Angel Nyack Presents Voices on the Hudson: Jenna Nicholls with Jon LaDeau
Sunday, February 15, 4:00-6:00pm, The Angel Nyack, 18 S Broadway, Nyack
In a tapestry of sound, Jenna Nicholls weaves a spell, strumming her ukulele with the spirit of New Orleans, or crooning a cowboy’s tale with the soul of the West. Her melodies, like vintage vinyl spun anew, carry the weight of memory and the promise of tomorrow. Jenna will be accompanied by the soulful guitar of Jon LaDeau. Special guest: the Hudson Valley duo Route One.
Mount Moor Cemetery: Black History in Perpetuity
Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 p.m., Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut St, Spring Valley
Join Bill Batson, president of Mount Moor Cemetery, as he shares some of the stories of more than 300 residents of Mount Moor, including some of the extraordinary service of the 32 veterans who served in every American armed conflict since the Civil War. He will also reflect on the heroic efforts of former Mount Moor President Hezekiah Easter to save the cemetery from over development. Sponsored by Spring Valley and Nyack NAACP.
Midwinter Vacation Activities at Homebody Books, 6 Park St, Nyack
The Hobbit Listening Party
Wednesday, February 18, 3:00-4:00pm
Listen to a terrific recording of “The Hobbit” by a bunch of great actors. Age 8+, adults welcome, too.
Sewing Circle
Friday, February 20, 3:00-4:00pm
Kids create an animal pillow with one of Heron Heath’s easy-to-use kits—choose Churchill the Chatty Cat, Winnie the Wry Worm, Robert the Ornery Raccoon, or Purl the Fancy Tiger (new). $15.95. Please purchase ahead to sign up, via phone or email.
Move Like You! A Movement Workshop
Sunday, February 22, 3:00-4:00pm
Children use movement to explore self-expression, connection with others, and play. For ages 5– 9, with Lazuli Leith, $25. Sunday Feb 22, 3:00-4:00pm. Please email to register.
Open Mic at Big Red Books with Featured Poet Christine Potter
Wednesday, February 18, 6:30pm, Big Red Books, 120 Main St, Nyack
Christine Potter has taught English and creative writing in the Clarkstown schools, made church music, and cooked for a living. She’s now the poetry editor of Eclectica magazine, and a poet whose work has appeared in Rattle, The McNeese Review, Tar River Poetry, ONE ART, Grain, Booth, Autumn Sky Poetry Daily, and many other literary publications.
American Historical Society of Rockland County Black History Month Program
Thursday, February 19, 7:00pm, Online
The African American Historical Society of Rockland County (AAHSRC) hosts a virtual Zoom Black History Month keynote program marking 100 years since the founding of Black History Month featuring Dr. Jarvis R. Givens, whose scholarship invites reflection on how Black History Month was created, sustained, and continually reimagined by educators, students, and communities over the last century.
Givens forthcoming book, I’ll Make Me a World: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month, anchors this conversation at a moment when understanding the purpose and power of Black history feels especially urgent.
A limited number of complimentary copies of I’ll Make Me a World will be available to registered attendees of the event, with recipients selected at random.
This program is presented by the African American Historical Society of Rockland County in collaboration with Finkelstein Memorial Library; Girls Reaching All Concepts of Excellence (GRACE); the Jamaican Civic and Cultural Association of Rockland, Inc.; National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.; the Nyack NAACP; the Spring Valley NAACP; and Rockland Community College (State University of New York).
Register here.
Black History Month Tribute: Officer Courtney F. Smith
Saturday, February 21, 4:00-6:30pm, Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave, Nyack
Hear a tribute to Officer Courtney F. Smith, South Nyack’s first African American police officer. The event will honor his legacy of strength and service. Scheduled speakers include Bill Batson.
ROCA Celebrates African American History Month – Our Legacy: A Community Poetry Reading
Saturday, February 21, 7:30-9:00pm, Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S Greenbush Rd, West Nyack
In Celebration of African American History Month, 2026, Rockland Center for the Arts, The Gordon Center for Black Culture and Arts, and Shades Repertory Theater will bring together some of Rockland County’s most distinguished community leaders and actors to read poems and prose by our most historically notable Black literary artists of the past century. Included in the evening will be poems by the first published Black Poet Phyllis Wheatley (1773) to Amanda Gorman (2017). With literary works by WEB DuBois, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Bennett, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker, among others.
Tickets by suggested donation here.
The Pride Center Presents a Special Black History Month Showing of “Moonlight”
Sunday, February 22, 1:00-3:30pm, Pride Center, 28 S. Franklin St, Nyack
In this acclaimed coming-of-age drama, a young man who grows up poor, Black, and gay in a rough Miami neighborhood tries to find his place in the world. Come watch this celebrated film, which won the Golden Globe award for Best Motion Picture — Drama, in community. No cover, all are welcome.
GraceMusic Presents Sputter Box Ensemble
Sunday, February 22, 4:00pm, Grace Episcopal Church, 130 First Ave, Nyack
The unforgettable Sputter Box is an innovative clarinet, voice, percussion ensemble based in NYC that is engaging new audiences in contemporary chamber music through their entertaining, interdisciplinary performances. They promise a high quality, fun concert. Come see for yourself!
Tickets: General Admission $30, Seniors $25, Students $15, Children under 12 are free
Making Maple Syrup at Marydell
Saturday, February 28, 11:00am-1:00pm, Marydell, 640 N Midland Ave, Nyack
Join environmental advocate Bob Stien as he harvests Marydell trees. Learn how to turn maple sap into maple syrup. Cosponsored by The Friends of Rockland Lake and Hook Mountain.
The event is free, but please sign up here.
Being Frank Podcast with Dr. Dana Greene Stilley and Bill Batson
Join Frank LoBuono and his guests Dr. Dana Greene Stilley, the first African American woman elected to the Rockland County legislature, and Bill Batson, artist, educator and community organizer, as they celebrate Black History Month.
You can listen here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Wright Bros. Real Estate where Experience meets Excellence at Nyack’s Longest Operating Brokerage.
