Black History Month begins Saturday. Originating in 1926, the observance has evolved into a month-long excursion into the African-American experience. With inspiration from the city's generous cultural history, organizations have planned a full calendar that will bring the likes of Cicely Tyson and Eartha Kitt to the area. Here is a sampling of the programs -- from film festivals to gospel shows -- that pay tribute to the achievements of African-Americans.

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SATURDAY, FEB. 1 * "Bustin' With the Sounds of Rockapella," The Medical School Teaching Facility Auditorium, University of Maryland at Baltimore, 10 S. Pine St., (410) 328-8035. The a cappella group Regency will mix favorite songs with humor at 8 p.m. Admission: $8; $6 for students, senior citizens, and children younger than 12.

* "Celebrate the African Spirit," Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 396-6312. Female quartet Ladygourd Sangoma will perform music from Africa, Brazil, the American South and the streets of New York. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Admission: $7; $5 for members, seniors and students.

* Stories at the Top, Top of the World Observation Level and Museum in the World Trade Center, (410) 837-4515. Alice McGill will perform stories from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $1 for children and seniors; $2 for other adults. Storytelling is also scheduled Feb. 8, 15, 22 and 29.

* "Golden Gate," Lyric Opera House, (410) 481-SEAT. The gospel musical, under the direction of George Faison, will continue in Baltimore at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. through March 1. Call for admission prices.

* "A Star Ain't Nothin' But a Hole in Heaven," Arena Playhouse, 801 McCulloh St., (410) 728-6500. One of the closing performances of the Arena Players' presentation at 7:30 p.m. Closing performances at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 2. Admission: $10.

* Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., (410) 685-2370 or (410) 685-5225. Throughout February, 18 African-American inventors will be highlighted.

SUNDAY, FEB. 2 * "Ananci the Spider," Cloisters Childrens' Museum, 10440 Falls Road, (410) 823-2551. Fellisco Keeling tells African-American

tales at 2 p.m. Admission: $5; $3 for members.

* "Glory," McManus Theatre, Loyola College, (410) 617-2988. The film, which depicts black soldiers in the Civil War, will be shown at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

* "Rhapsody and Blues," St. Michael's and All Angels Church, St. Paul and 20th streets, (410) 462-2023. Tribute to American music saluting 100 African-Americans who have made a difference in Maryland. 3:30 p.m. Donations welcome; proceeds will go to the Cultural Arts Program of the Strong Blacks Exhibition and Research Center.

* "The Spirit Moves," Eubie Blake Cultural Center, (410) 396-1300. Tony Award-winning actress Trazana Beverly will present her one-woman show at the African-American Arts Heritage Festival. The show will begin at 3 p.m. Admission: $10.

@WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5 * "Cry Freedom," Heubeck Lounge, Goucher College, (410) The film, starring Denzel Washington and Kevin Kline, portrays a South African political movement. No admission charge.

* "Impact of Columbus on African-Americans and Native Americans," Knott Hall 02, Loyola College, (410) 617-2988. Dr. Wendy Wilson of UMBC and Archie Lynch of the Baltimore Indian Center will lead the discussion from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

* "Salute to African-American Musical Theatre 1850-1991," Arena Playhouse, 801 McCulloh St., (410) 728-6500. Arena Players Youtheatre presents a program at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. Also, programs on Feb. 7, 8 and 10. Admission: $3.

THURSDAY, FEB. 6 * Book-signing with Audrey Edwards, Central Pratt Library, 400 Cathedral St., (410) 396-5494. Editor of Essence will speak on her latest book, "Children of the Dream: The Psychology of Black Success." Admission free, but by reservation only. Reservations must be made by Feb. 3.

* "People of Color," Reisterstown Road Plaza, (410) 764-3222. A weekend arts and entertainment festival will be held from noon to 8 p.m. through Feb. 8.

* "Great Black American Entertainers," Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 889-1993. The Baltimore Film Forum will open its series "Great Blacks on Film" at 8 p.m. Admission: $10. Reception will be held before the screening. Series continues on Feb. 13 with "James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket," at 8 p.m., general admission $5; and on Feb. 14 with "Identifiable Qualities: Toni Morrison" and "Two Dollars and a Dream," beginning at 8 p.m., general admission $5.

FRIDAY, FEB. 7 * "Heroes and Teachers," Dundalk Gallery, Dundalk Community College, (410) 285-9884. Opening reception for exhibition by Workshop Inc. Studio, under direction of silk-screen printmaker Lou Stovall. Reception 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Lecture by Cicely Tyson, Kraushaar Auditorium, Goucher College, (410) 337-6333. 8 p.m. The award-winning actress will speak at 8 p.m. Admission: $7; $4 for students and senior citizens.

* "Mapantsula," Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 889-1993. Baltimore Film Forum will present this anti-apartheid film. Admission: $5; $4 for students, seniors and film forum and museum members.

SUNDAY, FEB. 9 * African-American Cultural Festival, Walters Art Gallery, 600 N. Charles St., (410) 547-9000. The Morgan State University Choir, KanKouran West African Dance Company, storyteller Alice McGill and the Positive Vibrations reggae band will entertain. 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free.

* Family Day, Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 396-6312. "Underground Railroad, Not a Subway," about African-American freedom fighters, will feature Dr. Schroeder Cherry and his company of puppets. Concerts and kids' activities are also scheduled.

* "Great Ladies of Jazz and Blues," Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral St., (410) 396-1300. Sandra Reaves Phillips will present her show at 3 p.m. during Urban Services African-American Arts and Heritage Festival. $12.50.

TUESDAY, FEB. 11 * Women's Sekere Ensemble, Owl's Nest Lounge, Learning Resource Center, Harford Community College, (410) 836-4206. Female percussionists will perform at 11:30 a.m. No admission charge.

@THURSDAY, FEB. 13 * Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Morris A. Mechanic Theatre, (410) 625-4230. Five performances Feb. 13-16 under the direction of Judith Jamison. Tickets are $27-$40.

* "Lyrics of the Hearthside," Havre de Grace High School Auditorium, (410) 939-4252 or (410) 836-4211. Actor Joseph Mydell of the Royal Shakespeare Company will perform poems, songs, and prose written by Paul Lawrence Dunbar at 7 p.m. No admission; ticket is required.

* "Uncommon Ground: A Selection of Works by Area Artists and From the Collection of Morgan State University," City Hall, 100 N. Holliday St. (410) 396-4721. On display weekdays through March 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reception Feb. 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

@SATURDAY, FEB. 15 * Scott Joplin Festival, Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 396-6312. Eva Anderson's Baltimore Dance Theatre joins forces with young Baltimore composers and the BMA. 8 p.m. Admission: $5; $4 for museum members, seniors and students.

* "Baltimore Jazz . . . From the Royal Theater to the Peabody Conservatory," Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St., (410) 685-3750. Concert with vocalists and the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble will begin at 8 p.m. Concert is also scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 16. Call for admission.

Sankofa Dance, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Constitution Avenue and Greenfield Street, Annapolis, (410) .

263-5019. Dance company will present "The Griot" at 11 a.m. in main auditorium.

SUNDAY, FEB. 16 * Strong Blacks Exhibition and Research Center grand opening, Druid Hill Ave., (410) 462-2023. Museum will feature contemporary history and artifacts. Ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.

* "American History? It's Beneath Your Feet," Center for Urban Archaeology, 800 E. Lombard St., (410) 396-3279. Film detailing the archaeological excavation of the 18th century home site of Benjamin Banneker, a free black man who was a self-taught mathematician. Program from 1:30 to 3 p.m.; free with museum admission.

TUESDAY, FEB. 18 * Umoja SaSa! Storytellers Inc., Johnston Square Elementary School, 1101 Valley St., (410) 522-9665. The storytellers will perform folk tales and fables that depict African-American history. Performances are scheduled for 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

@THURSDAY, FEB. 20 * "Marcus Garvey: Toward Black Nationhood" and "Booker T. Washington: The Life and Legacy," Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 889-1993. Baltimore Film Forum will present these two films starting at 8 p.m. Admission: $5; $4 for members, seniors and students.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21 * "Senator Sir," Arena Playhouse, 801 McCulloh St., (410) Arena Players will present the story of Hiram Revels, the first black senator during Reconstruction, at 8:30 p.m. Shows also on Feb. 22, 23, 28 and 29. Tickets $10.

* Baltimore Film Forum, Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 889-1993. Film Forum will present "Uncommon Images" and "Ida B. Wells: Passion for Justice" at 8 p.m. Admission: $5, $4 for members, students and seniors.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22 * "Food From the South," 1840 House, 800 E. Lombard St., (410) Baltimore City Life Museums' food specialist Sue Latini will assist participants in preparing African-American dishes from the South. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Admission: $18; $13 for City Life Museum members.

* Masquerade Ball, Great Blacks in Wax Museum, 1601 E. North Ave., (410) 563-6415. Black History Masquerade Ball will be from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission: $25; $20 for students with college ID.

* Boys Choir of Harlem, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, (410) 783-8000. Program at 8 p.m. will feature classical, gospel, jazz and spirituals. Feb. 23 program will begin at 3 p.m. Tickets: $12,

$20 and $26.

* BSO Family Concert Series, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, (410) 783-8000. Storyteller Mary Carter Smith will narrate program featuring mezzo-soprano Michele Howard. Concert at 11 a.m.

Tickets: $6.

SUNDAY, FEB. 23 * "Designs in Motion," the Walters Art Gallery, 600 N. Charles St., 547-9000, Ext. 237. Januwa Moja will present wearable art to the rhythms of the New World Percussion Ensemble. Admission is $4; $3 for museum members, students, seniors and children.

* Oratory Celebration, Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 396-6320. Middle and high school students participate in the Douglass-Tubman Oratory Celebration from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 * Vigil, Haebler Chapel, Goucher College, (410) 337-6333. A vigil commemoration of slain civil rights leaders at 7 p.m.

@THURSDAY, FEB. 27 * Book-signing and luncheon, Cross Keys Inn, 5100 Falls Road, **

For reservations call Enoch Pratt Library at (410) 396-5494. Annual luncheon at noon will feature award-winning author Paule Marshall. Tickets are $23; $210 for groups of 10. Reservations must be made by Feb. 24.

* "Adam Clayton Powell," Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 889-1993. Baltimore Film Forum will present film at 8 p.m. Also free screening of "El Hajj Malik El Shabazz . . . Malcolm X" is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 28 * Tribute to black cowboys, Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive, (410) 889-1993. Baltimore Film Forum will screen "Don't Leave Out the Cowboys" and "Harlem Rides the Range." Screenings will begin at 8 p.m. Admission: $5; $4 for members, students and seniors.

@SATURDAY, FEB. 29 * Heritage festival, Eubie Blake Cultural Center, (410) 396-1300. Cellist Troy Stuart will perform at 4 p.m. Free.

* Eartha Kitt, Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore Hotel, (410) 783-7213. New Metropolitan Theatre Company, accompanied by the Charles Covington Quintet, will present "Eartha Kitt . . . the Lady, the Legend" at 8 p.m. Tickets: $30.