THEATER
The New Haarlem Arts Theatre presents “Blues for Mister Charlie,” by James Baldwin, directed by Eugene Nesmith, now through July 17. Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m., with matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. At Aaron Davis Hall, Theatre B, on the campus of the City College of New York on Convent Avenue between 133rd and 135th streets. For tickets, go to www.smarttix.com.
Community Works and Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group present Daniel Beaty’s “EmergenC,” directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Extended by popular demand through Sat., July 16 at 7 p.m., featuring a post-performance discussion with Beaty following the show. At the Dwyer Cultural Center, 258 St. Nicholas Ave. (entrance on 123rd Street between St. Nicholas and Frederick Douglas avenues). Tickets are limited and can be purchased at the Dwyer box office, Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. For more information, call (212) 222-3060.
“Baby it’s You” follows the rise of New Jersey housewife Florence Greenberg, who teams with African-American songwriter Luther Dixon to launch an independent record company, the popular girl group the Shirelles, the Isley Brothers, Dionne Warwick, Chuck Jackson and more. At the Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St. For more information, visit www.babyitsyouonbroadway.com.
“The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith.” Now running on Broadway at St. Luke’s Theater, 308 W. 46th St. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.stlukestheatre.com.
“Mama, I Want to Sing: The Next Generation,” by Vy Higginsen, with original music by Wesley Naylor, directed by Ken Wydro. Now playing at the Dempsey Theater, 127 W. 127th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Malcolm X boulevards. For more information and tickets, visit www.mamafoundation.org.
“Sistas: The Musical” tells the story of African-American women through popular music. Using hit tunes from “God Bless the Child” to Destiny’s Child, the musical traces the history of Black women, from the trials of the 1930s through the girl groups of the ’60s to the empowerment of the ’90s. July 11-31 at the June Havoc Theatre, 312 W. 36th St., first floor, between Eighth and Ninth avenues. For more information, schedules and tickets, visit www.sistasthemusical.com.
FILM & ART
“Reel Harlem 10th Anniversary Historic Harlem Parks Film Festival” features free outdoor film screenings. Thurs., July 14,the National Black Programming Consortium features “When the Drum is Beating” at 7:30 p.m. Filmmaker Whitney Dow will introduce the film, the story of Haiti’s complex past, present and music of 62-year-old Orchestre Septentrional, the country’s oldest and best-known band with memories of its founder and leader, Ulric Pierre-Louis. At the bandshell at Bradhurst Avenue and 148th Street. Rain venue will be inside the Jackie Robinson Recreation Center at Bradhurst Avenue and 146th Street.
“Malcolm X: A Search for Truth” and “Romare Bearden: The Soul of Blackness-A Centennial Tribute” both open Fri., July 15, and are on view through Sat., Jan. 7 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X. Blvd. Open Tues.-Thurs. 12-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
MUSIC
The second annual Nolafunk.comSummer Jazzfest features Kermit Ruffins (as seen on HBO’s “Treme”) performing two sets, including a Louis Armstrong birthday set, at Hiro Ballroom at the Maritime hotel, 88 Ninth Ave. between 16th and 17th streets on Thurs., July 14. For more details, visit www.nolafunk.com and for showtimes, call (866) 468-7619.
Chris Brown turns up the heat for the NBC/Toyota concert series Fri., July 15 from 6-9 a.m. (approximate time). Free on the plaza at 30 Rockefeller Center between 47th and 50th streets.
Bringing the spirit this week to the Celebrate Brooklyn Prospect Park Free concert series is gospel legend Shirley Caesar and Vy Higginsen’s Gospel Teen Choir, Fri., July 15 at 7:30 p.m. At the Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn. For more information, visit www.bricartsmedia.org.
AfroJam! Presented by Africology, Celebrating Madiba for Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday, Sat., July 17, 11 p.m.-4 a.m. At SOB’s Dining and Dancing, 204 Varick St. at West Houston. For more information, call (212) 243-4940 or visit www.sobs.com.
The Soul Summit Music Festival is happening in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, every second Sunday from 3-8 p.m., starting July 24 and running through through the last week of August. The festival is free and open to the public, showcasing artists of various backgrounds including DJs, bands, dance companies, fashion designers, filmmakers and photographers. For more details, visit www.soulsummitmusic.com.
The Martin Luther King free concert series’ annual gospel night is Mon., July 18 at 7:30 p.m. With Mary Mary, Ricky Dillard and New G. at Wingate Field on Brooklyn Avenue, (between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street in Crown Heights. For more information, visit www.brooklynconcerts.com.
R&B sensation Brian McKnight brings his “Just Me” tour to the Apollo Theater on Sat., July 23 at 7 p.m. McKnight sings his classics “Anytime,” “Back at One” and more. Also featuring comedian A.G. White. At the world famous Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St. between Seventh and Eighth avenues. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.
COMMUNITY
CEMOTAP will hold a book party and tribute to revolutionary African nationalist poet George Edward Tait Sat., July 16 at 2 p.m. The program will celebrate the contributions of Baba Tait and his latest book, “Sword Songs,” with reviews by a number of community dignitaries, including Dr. Leonard Jeffries. At the CEMOTAP Center, 135-05 Rockaway Blvd. in South Ozone Park, N.Y. For more information, call (718) 322-8454
The 2011 Harlem Book Fair, a celebration of literature and culture, will be held Sat., July 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on West 135th Street between Malcolm X and Fredrick Douglass boulevards, rain or shine. For the full schedule of events, visit www.harlembookfair.com.
The Harlem Book Fair presents a tribute to the life and work of poet/activist Louis Reyes Rivera, Sat. July 23 at the Thurgood Marshall Academy, 200 W. 135th St. at the corner of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, 3-4:30 p.m. For more information, call Layding Kaliba at (212) 234-5583.
HearImhotep Gary Byrdon 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/WBLS-FM from 7-8 p.m.). The full show can be heard on HD radio at WBLS-HD2. IGB is also heard on WBAI-FM 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 or find us on Facebook.