February is National Black History Month – but with this year’s African American Cultural Center calendar of events, expect no history lesson. The performances, lectures, meals and meetings all center around one common thread: racial issues of the present.

Mary Mattman, public relations intern for the AACC said that scheduling programs that face current issues isn’t just to keep the interests of students.

“I also think that the best way to celebrate our past is to look at where we are now, and where we can go from here,” she said.

Although the calendar of events kicked off last Friday, there are several diverse events scheduled on almost every day of the month.

Tonight, in partnership with Snelling Dining Commons, the AACC will host a Harlem Renaissance-themed dinner. Bryan Varin, manager of Snelling, has compiled a menu and activities to reflect the music and art of this era.

“What many people don’t know is that the Harlem Renaissance was the forefront of soul food,” Varin said.

While the menu at all four dining halls includes staple soul food items such as fried chicken, catfish and oyster stew, Snelling also will have swing dance lessons and a mock cotton club in the side dining rooms.

Saturday at 6 p.m. the AACC will present Progress Theatre’s “Peaches” at the Morton Theatre. The performance was so successful last year that the AACC requested them to perform again.

“This is definitely one of our most anticipated events,” Mattman said. “It works to deconstruct stereotypes that have come up about African- American women and celebrate their culture through music production.”

Although Mattman thinks “Peaches” is “best described as performance art,” it is commonly called a musical, featuring many songs and poetry by Nina Simone.

The analysis of black stereotypes is a reoccurring theme of this year’s events. Every Tuesday, the Office of Intercultural Affairs will host a “R.E.A.L. Talk,” in which groups of students tackle controversial issues regarding race, sex and minority stereotypes.

“What we’re hoping to accomplish is to identify and define anti-racism while understanding the institution of racism,” said Jeff Alton, assistant director of multicultural services and programs. Next Tuesday’s lecture plans to tackle issues of interracial and cross-cultural dating. “The acronym stands for respect, equality, awareness and learning, and we hope that every participant brings those things out of the discussion,” Alton said.

Every Monday of February, the University’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services Center also is carrying on a tradition from last year. “My Sistah’s Keeper” is a discussion and support group for black female students. While the group aims to promote, maintain and advance the welfare of black females, Mattman said that this group isn’t exclusive.

“We are welcoming to all ethnicities and all races in not only this event, but every event,” she said. “As students it’s really important to educate ourselves with cultures and people we are not familiar with.”

Although the AACC is often only showcased during the month of February, they view Black History Month as an opportunity to show what they do for the University year-round. “The argument is often made that black history should not be limited to one month of recognition – that is what we are here for,” Mattman said. “There are so many things going on in our space (fourth floor of Memorial Hall) – lectures, the black theatrical ensemble, NAACP, Pamoja dance troupe – we’re here year-round for that reason.”