African American Heritage Center opens at SIU
CARBONDALE — Black history in southern Illinois will have a new platform for at least four years through Southern Illinois University’s new African American Heritage Center (SIU News). The center will offer history displays and workshops, oral histories, and programs for public school students of all ages and will focus on Illinois’ 30 southernmost counties. By 2030, the center also plans to seek permanent approval from the Illinois State Board of Education that gave it temporary approval earlier this month. Future plans may also include a St. Clair County satellite location. The center is on the sixth floor of Morris Library, 605 Agriculture Dr., and is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and by appointment 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday (call 618-453-2516). Photo courtesy SIU and features Blake Howard, graduate assistant for the Southern Illinois African American Heritage Center, and Anne Marie Hamilton-Brehm, associate dean of SIU’s Morris Library.
LGBTQ/allied singers welcome for Tesserae kickoff Aug. 5
CARBONDALE — Rehearsals start next week for Tesserae Chorus, Southern Illinois’ queer chorus, and are open to LGBTQ+ people and allies age 15 or older. Previous singing experience isn’t required. Rehearsals begin Aug. 5 from 7:15 to 9 p.m. at the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship, 105 N. Parrish Ln. An all-day choral retreat also happens Aug. 21, with pop-up concerts planned for Oct. 17 and Dec. 6, and a pop tribute-themed “Forever Love”concert Nov. 21. Singers younger than 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Learn more or sign up here.
Give, receive through Science Center's clothing swap
CARBONDALE — Trade out gently used clothes you’re not using for ones you want — or just come by for clothing you need — at the 3rd Annual Clothing Swap at The Science Center. The Clothing Swap features apparel for adults, teens, kids and babies and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. It ends Aug. 31. Donations are especially needed for elementary school-age clothing. All are welcome to browse and take home clothing, even if you have nothing to swap. The Science Center is in The University Mall, 1237 E. Main St.
