What is Black History Month?
Black History Month is an annual celebration, throughout February, honouring the achievements and contributions of Black people, historically and presently. At CKUA that means thinking about music and artistry in new ways. We’ll appreciate the musicians we already know and love. Some hosts will share music by lesser-known artists. We’ll have special Arts & Culture feature interviews throughout the month.
We’re inviting the community into music, conversation, and appreciation. Here’s what’s planned for February!
Monday February 2
Alberta Morning, hosted by Grant Stovel, 6am – 9am MT
For February 2 – 6, the featured artist of the week will be The War and Treaty. Learn about this powerhouse American duo who will play Alberta dates in Calgary and St. Albert this month.
Catch and Release, hosted by Kerry Clarke, 6pm – 8pm MT
The revolution might not be televised, but some of it will be broadcast when Kerry shines a spotlight on key Black poets and spoken word creators who have contributed to social and political conversation and become the backbone of rap and other music. You’ll hear Gil Scott-Heron, Jayne Cortez, the Last Poets, Watts Prophets, Grace Nichols, Miss Lou, Mutabaruka, Oku Onuora, Sekou Sundiata, and Linton Kwesi Johnson.
Twilight, hosted by Amy van Keeken, 10pm – midnight MT
This is the program that delivers gentle music from all over the world. This episode will include all Black artists.
Wednesday February 4
Far Out, hosted by Amy van Keeken, 6pm – 8pm MT
Hear the music by Black artists, including a feature on American funk and soul singer Betty Davis.
Thursday February 5
Thoroughfare, hosted by Tony King, 1pm – 3pm MT
Tony chats with Charlene Smith, a.k.a. Charlee Queen XO or Queen C, a spoken word artist, singer/songwriter, dancer/choreographer, yoga teacher, and spiritual/mental health mentor.
Sunday February 8
Roy’s Record Room, hosted by Roy Forbes, 2pm – 3pm MT
Hear Cab Calloway covering a song by African-Canadian composer, Shelton Brooks. Shelton’s songs are a part of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Monday February 9
Alberta Morning, hosted by Grant Stovel, 6am – 9am MT
For February 9 – 13, the featured artist of the week will be Beverly Glenn-Copeland, a singer-songwriter who was born in Philadelphia and studied in Montreal. A new album, Laughter in Summer, is set to be released February 13.
Tuesday February 10
Discoveries, hosted by Leo Cripps, 9am – 11am MT
Enjoy a feature on Jay Douglas, a 3-time JUNO nominee, a music producer, and band leader of the Jay Douglas All-Star Band. Leo Cripps describes him as “an inspiration in Canadian music.”
Twilight, hosted by Amy van Keeken, 10pm – midnight MT
The program that provides a gentle end to your day will feature music by Black artists.
Wednesday February 11
Thoroughfare, hosted by Tony King, 1pm – 3pm MT
Tony chats with Diana Ohiozebau, a mixed-media artist based in Edmonton. She’ll be featured in the Art Gallery of Alberta’s 5 Artists 1 Love: 20 Years of Fierce Art & Soul celebration.
Far Out, hosted by Amy van Keeken, 6pm – 8pm MT
Hear music by Black artists, including the Zamrock band WITCH.
Friday February 13
This Just In, hosted by Amy van Keeken, 9am – 11am MT
Hear new releases by Black artists. Plus, Daniel Goodridge, CKUA’s Library Wizard, will be with Amy to share new release picks. Jill Scott has a new album called To Whom It May Concern.
Traffic Jams, hosted by Lisa Wilton, 3pm – 6pm MT
Meet Peter LaMarr. He and his band host the Sunday afternoon jam at The Blues Can, but before his time in Calgary he was in a ’90s /2000s iteration of The Drifters, and has worked with Earth, Wind & Fire, Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr. He’s also recorded his own R&B/soul records.
Monday February 16
Alberta Morning, hosted by Grant Stovel, 6am – 9am MT
For February 16 – 20, the featured artist of the week will be Dominique Fils-Aimé, whose new album is called My World Is the Sun.
Catch and Release, hosted by Kerry Clarke, 6pm – 8pm MT
Black History month is a perfect time to dive into the life affirming music that is soul. It’s born of the African-American experience that sprang from blues clubs, churches and street corners where R&B, gospel and doo-wop rang out in chorus. The collision of those three styles became soul’s big bang with Ray Charles and Sam Cooke laying the groundwork, secularising the sanctified with effusive vocals, stirring lyrics and deep rhythmic grooves. Join Kerry to explore the genre’s history, plus contemporary artists and sounds.
Wednesday February 18
Thoroughfare, hosted by Tony King, 1pm – 3pm MT
Tony speaks with co-founder of The Timbuktu Innovation Hub, Emmanuel Onah.
Far Out, hosted by Amy van Keeken, 6pm – 8pm MT
Hear music by Black artists, including the Studio One Women.
Monday February 23
Alberta Morning, hosted by Grant Stovel, 6am – 9am MT
For February 23 – 27, the featured artist of the week will be Irma Thomas. Celebrate the 85th birthday of The Soul Queen of New Orleans!
Wednesday February 25
Thoroughfare, hosted by Tony King, 1pm – 3pm MT
Tony speaks with playwright Jameela J. McNeil, whose new work, Ms. Pat’s Kitchen, will be part of the SkirtsAfire festival.
Far Out, hosted by Amy van Keeken, 6pm – 8pm MT
Hear music by Black artists, including Marlena Shaw.
Thursday February 26
Twilight, hosted by Amy van Keeken, 10pm – midnight MT
The program that provides a gentle end to your day will feature music by Black artists.
Friday February 27
Wax & Wane, hosted by Joe Hartfeil, 7pm – 9pm MT
This episode of Wax & Wane will include special features on the lives and legacies of legends such as Nina Simone, Charles Mingus, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mary Lou Williams, and Jackie Shane.
Saturday February 28
Open Nights, hosted by Mark Rodgers, 9pm – midnight MT
On this episode of Open Nights, host Mark Rodgers brings heavy music (more than usual) to CKUA. LONG LIVE THE LOUD with some Skindred, Nova Twins, Killswitch Engage (Howard Jones), Sepultura (Derrick Green, played last year, got a lovely text about it). Hear some newer Xandria, some old school stuff from Death (from Detroit), Black Death, and maybe some Tetrarch, because, as Mark Rodgers says, “Diamond totally rips.”
