Greetings! We join family, friends and fans around the world, in acknowledgment and in celebration of life, for the brilliant jazz musician-educator, Donald Byrd, who passed at the age of 80. The Byrd classic “Flight Time” has been my theme song for the GBE for many decades. May he rest in peace.
Theater
- “Motown: The Musical,” based on the book by Berry Gordy Jr., directed by Charles Randolph Wright, is the real story of “Hitsville USA,” the soulful sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed American and world pop culture forever. The show features legendary Motown hits and charts Motown founder Berry Gordy’s incredible journey, from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul. Gordy launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more. Broadway previews begin March 11 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St. (between Eighth Avenue and Broadway), official opening April 14. For group sales, call 212-339-6262 or 800-432-7780; regular tickets at www.Ticketmaster.com and at www.MotownTheMusical.com.
- Experience Woodie King, Jr.’s “Black History Month Play Festival,” featuring “DuBois and Miss Ovington,” held Friday, Feb. 22 to 24 at the Castillo Theatre, 543 W.42rd St. (between 10th and 11th avenues). Co-starring Peter Jay Fernandez as W.E.B. DuBois and Kathleen Chalfant as Mary White Ovington, written by Clare Coss, directed by Gabrielle Kurlander. For more information, call the New Heritage Theatre Group at 212-926-2550.
- Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre (NBT), in association with criminal justice reform advocates, the Correctional Association of New York and Harry & Gina Belafonte, present the world premiere theatrical run of Bryonn Bain’s “Lyrics From Lockdown,” now through Sunday, Feb. 24, at NBT, 2031 Fifth Ave. (between 125th and 126th streets). For tickets, call 212-868-4444, the NBT box office, or online at www.smarttix.com.
- “Fried Chicken and Latkes”: Rain Pryor, daughter of late comedic genius Richard Pryor, stands on her own with a solo show, including a “parade of friends, relatives and tormentors,” plus impressions of her dad, and reveals a surprisingly strong singing voice. Actors Temple Theatre at Congregation Ezrath Israel, 339 W. 47th St. Open run through Monday, Feb. 25. For ticket information, call Telecharge, 800-432-7250 or 212-239-6200, or visit www.telecharge.com.
Music
- Charlie Wilson and Tyrese, up close and live at Madison Square Garden for one night only, Saturday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. For more information, call 866-858-0008 or go to:www.ticketmaster.com.
- En Vogue, Lillo Thomas, with special guest James Dtrain Williams, and Cherelle in “Evening of Sophisticated Soul,” Saturday, March 2 at the Theatre at Westbury. All previously purchased tickets will be honored. Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd, Westbury, New York. Tickets are available now at Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
- The amazing Jazz Crusaders, keyboardist Joe Sample, trombonist Wayne Henderson and saxophonist Wilton Felder, bring their Houston-Texas based funk to the Blue Note Jazz Club & Restaurant, 131 W. Third St., New York. Tuesday, March 5 through March 10. For more information, visit www.bluenotejazz.com.
Film
- Before Spike Lee, Henry Hampton, Stanley Nelson, St. Claire Bourne and many other successful Black documentary makers, there was Bill and Bill. Explore the brilliant work, legacy, and lives of Bill Miles and Bill Greaves. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Langston Hughes Auditorium. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m. FREE, with registration required by calling 212-491-2040 or visiting www.schomburgcenter.eventbrite.com.
- Also at the Schomberg: screening of “Twilight Revelations: Episodes in the Life & Times of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie.” A conversation between the filmmaker Yemane Demissie and renowned photographer Chester Higgins follows the free screening. Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
Exhibitions
- Metropolitan Museum presents “African Art-New York & Avante-Garde,” Thursday, Sept. 8. Visit www.metmuseum.org.
Family
- The legendary Harlem Globetrotter’s World Tour, with the first female Globetrotter in 20 years, Fatima “TNT” Maddox. Appearances at multiple New York and New Jersey locations. For more info and schedule information, visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com/tickets.
Community
- Medgar Evers College presents its 2013 Black History Month Celebration, “Black Consciousness: Past, Present and Future at the Crossroads,” showcasing educational, political and cultural programs bringing significant events to life for students, faculty, staff and the community featuring panels, readings, films, author talks and performances. For a full schedule and more information, visit www.mec.cuny.edu or call 718-270-6050.
- The Office of Councilman Charles Barron is launching the “East New York African Burial Ground Initiative.” Street renamings are also part of the plan, as Schenck Street, for example, was named after the largest slaveholder in all of Brooklyn. The new proposed name is “African Burial Ground Square”! All are invited to join in this launch/advocacy celebration and historical educational forum, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 to 5 p.m., New Lots Community Church, 612 New Lots Ave. at Barbey St. in Brooklyn. For more information, contact the Office of Councilman Barron at 718-649-9495.
- Taui Network and Ausar Auset Society hosts a “Black History Month Celebration” on Saturday, Feb. 23, from noon to 5 p.m. Dynamic workshops and lectures celebrating 40 years of Kamitic Spirituality and History. Highlights of the day include book signing and lecture by Ra Un Nefer Amen from his new book, “Not Out of Greece.” Ausar-Auset Temple, 626 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn. Delicious vegetarian food on sale at Tchefa Health Food Restaurant. Workshops are for the entire family. For the full schedule and event fees, email Blackhistory @kamithistory.com or call Taui at 718-469-3199 Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit www.BlogTalkRadio .com/Taui (scroll down for all details).
Hear Imhotep Gary Byrd on 107.5 WBLS-FM daily with “Imhotep’s On-Air Guide to Black Events” and “Express Yourself,” Sunday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., and on WLIB-AM with “The GBE Mind Flight,” Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to midnight (simulcast on WLIB-AM/WBLSFM from 7-8 p.m.). The full show can be heard on HD radio at WBLS-HD2. IGB is also heard on WBAIFM 99.5 with the GBE 2.0 “Global Black Experience” and “Global Beat Experience,” Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. We are archived online with both shows at www.wbai.org. To reach us about your event, email gbemail2@yahoo.com, find Imhotep Gary Byrd on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at GBELIFE or call 212-592-3279.