There are many great ways to celebrate Black History Month. Near the top of that list might be a performance combining song and the written word, featuring black composers and poets.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, Lancaster Catholic High School's Fine and Performing Arts department will present a Black History Month celebration. In association with Bright Side Opportunities Center, the 75-minute show will be performed at New Creation United Methodist Church, 10 W. Farnum St., Lancaster.

Admission is free. However, donations to benefit the Lancaster Catholic Fine and Performing Arts department will be accepted.

Students from Bright Side STEM Leadership Academy will be featured, along with performances by violinist and pianist Michael Jamanis, percussionist Matthew Woodson, cellist Christian Sands, a string quartet from the Music For Everyone (MFE) Sound Factory and readings by Amanda Kemp and Maria Thompson Corley.

"It'll be everyone enjoying and celebrating black history," said Isiah Perry, director of the Bright Side STEM Leadership Academy. "The arts are a true connector, and collaboration is a key to success."

"I love the collaboration," said Jamanis. "It's a really fun collaboration of poetry and music. It's meant for everyone. We're all celebrating black history."

February is celebrated as Black History Month in the United States. Black History Month grew from the second week of February being declared Black History Week, which was established in 1926 by historian Carter Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, as much to stop misinformation as to recognize the struggle for civil rights.

For additional information about the performance contact Lancaster Catholic's director of Fine and Performing Arts Department, Tony Brill, at tbrill@lchyyes.org or at 717-509-00310.