Petersburg is planning an expo, movie viewings, spokenword and other dramatic presentations, a bus tour and read-in as part of its Black History Month commemoration.

All events are free and open to the public.

The signature event, according to city officials, is a Black History Month Expo 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Petersburg High School, 3101 Johnson Road.

The expo is to include music, dance, theatre, art demonstrations, food vendors and health resources, according to a news release.

An opening ceremony will be followed by performances by TSoul, Tamika Patton in an Ode to Jazz tribute to Billie Holiday, theatrical and tap performances by Derome Scott Smith and high school students, and the Gospel Truth of Richmond Choir. The event is to culminate with a performance by Plunky.

The Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St., also will host events throughout the month. On each Thursday in February, the library will show a series of films and include talks and discussions for youths and adults.

The films will include “Selma,” “Selma Lord Selma,” “The Help” and “The Great Debaters.” For other library programs, go to www.ppls.org.

The Department of Cultural Affairs, Arts and Tourism/Petersburg Museums will sponsor an African-American history bus tour of historic sites 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. The tour will be led by Dr. Lucious Edwards, archivist and historian emeritus at Virginia State University. Reservations can be made at (804) 733-2400.

A spoken word event also will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Union Train Station, 103 River St., with Kondwani Fidel’s “Accusations on Addiction.”

For a complete list of Black History Month events in Petersburg, go to www.petersburgva.gov. or call (804) 733-2430.