The Arts at Millersville University will celebrate African American History Month at the We The People First Friday on Feb. 3 at The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster. Kellie C. Turner will portray Nina Simone in "Birds Flyin' High" on the Steinman stage at 6:30 p.m., and the art exhibit "Of Light and Legacy" will open in the Regitz Gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

In "Birds Flyin' High," Simone is interviewed while on her farewell tour. Singer, actor, musician, writer, producer, educator and activist Turner has appeared on Broadway in "Showboat" as well as national and international tours of "The Wiz," "Showboat," "Hair" and "Higher and Higher." She has also performed in regional theaters all over the country as well as in film and television shows.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. General admission and seating is first-come, first-served.

"Of Light and Legacy" is an exhibit of artworks in a variety of mediums from several local emerging artists. Some works will be part of an interactive hands-on exhibit. The opening reception will include door prize drawings for several book by Kwame Alexander, an American writer of poetry and children's fiction. His verse novel "The Crossover" won the 2015 Newbery Medal and was selected as an Honor book for the Coretta Scott King Award.

Artists scheduled to participate in the exhibit include Lunga Bechtel, Gracie Berry, Malcolm Corley, Arlinetta A Johnson, Justin Jones, Carmen Jordan-Cox, Courtnee Jordan-Cox, Kailah Liggons, Louis Logan, Amaka Nnamani and Blake Showers.

The exhibit will be on display through Friday, Feb. 24, on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional hours will be available on weeknights or weekends when an event is taking place at the Ware Center. To confirm hours, call 717-871-7018.

For more information, call 717-871-7600 or visit http://www.artsmu.com.