Roswell Roots Guide: Celebrating Black History Month throughout February

This month, Roswell celebrates Black History Month with the 11th annual Roswell Roots Festival, the largest and most comprehensive Black History celebration in the state of Georgia.

Throughout the month of February the city will host special art exhibits, cultural events and history presentations which educate and celebrate the long and storied history of African Americans here in Roswell.

Below you'll find some of the festival highlights, for more special events check out the attached PDF.

Concert: The McIntosh County Shouters - Special Introduction by Art Rosenbaum
Musician, artist and author Art Rosenbaum will introduce The McIntosh County Shouters, named “Master Artists” of the Authentic Ring Shout by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2008. The Shouters, from McIntosh County, Georgia, perform traditional call-and-response song and dance, which have plantation origins and are historically important as examples of communication and expressions of faith. These preservers of this unique tradition have performed at the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress. The concert takes place Feb. 9 at Roswell Cultural Arts Center at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 general admission. Buy Tickets Here.

Concert: Unity Concert and Reception - One of the most exciting events of the festival, to hear the magnificent voices of the choirs from several area churches, including and , as they perform their favorite selections. The Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy Choir, which consists of approximately 80 students grades 9-12, will also perform. A special presentation of this year's Hometown Heroes will also take place. The concert takes place Feb. 3 at at 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; reception follows from 8:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Special Event: “Slammin’ in the Suburbs”: Roswell Poetry Slam - An evening of exciting and inspiring spoken word, “Slammin’ in the Suburbs” is a favorite event every year. The 8th annual poetry slam will feature poets performing their work. Randomly selected judges from the audience will vote for their favorites. New in 2012, an invitational round of competition amongst some of the metro’s best spoken word artists. Prizes include a $500 cash 1st place prize, a $400 2nd place prize, a $300 3rd place prize, a $200 4th place prize and a $100 5th place prize. The event is hosted by award winning spoken word artist, Ayodele Heath. For details on the rules and how to participate, go online. The event takes place Feb. 16 at at 7 p.m.

Special Event: Cornbread Cook-Off – The first annual Cornbread Cook-Off will take place at with a prize for Best Cornbread chosen by professional judge, Susan Puckett, author and former Atlanta Journal/Constitution Food Editor. A People’s Choice Award will be given out as well. Everyone will get to sample each of the competitors’ cornbread and then vote for their favorite. For details about how to enter the competition, go online. NOTE: A minimum of 10 contestants required for contest to take place.