Greetings! This weekend, all roads lead to the nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C,. for the unveiling on Sun., Oct. 16 of the monument in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Great Mall. The historic moment will also be marked on Sat., Oct. 15 by the “National March for Jobs and Justice” led by the Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network with leaders and partners from religious and community organizations, unions, activists and followers from all over the country. Get on the bus! Find out how at www.nationalactionetwork.net.
THEATER
- “Benito Cereno,” by Robert Lowell, directed by the legendary Woody King Jr. The historic Amistad mutiny and the heroic African Prince Cinque come to life onstage at the Flea Theater, 41 White St. between Broadway and Church Street through Oct. 18. For more information, call (212) 352-3101 or visit www.facebook.com/HorizonTheatreRep.
- Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Angela Bassett and Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson star in the Broadway debut of “The Mountaintop,” Katori Hall’s Olivier Award-winning drama, directed by Tony Award nominee Kenny Leon (“Fences,” “A Raisin in the Sun”).
- Featuring original music by Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and Tony Award nominee Branford Marsalis. At the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St. For tickets, visit Telecharge.com.
- Esther Armah’s “Saviour?” A provocative, dramatic new love story about white privilege, Black women, sex and betrayal in a limited engagement through Sun., Oct. 30 at the Dwyer Cultural Center, 258 St. Nicholas Ave. at 123rd Street, between St. Nicholas Avenue and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. For tickets, call (212) 352-3101 or visit www.takewingandsoar.org.
- “Black Angels Over Tuskegee,” the story of the pioneering first African-American fighter pilots, now playing at the Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th St. between Eighth and Ninth avenues. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com.
- “Mama, I Want to Sing: The Next Generation,” by Vy Higginsen, with original music by Wesley Naylor. Now playing at the Dempsey Theater, 127 W. 127th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Malcolm X boulevards. For more information and tickets, call (212) 868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com or mamafoundation.org.
- “Baby It’s You” follows the creation and rise of the independent record company that gave us 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 Theatre, 308 W. 46th St. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.stlukestheatre.com.
MUSIC
- Jazz at Lincoln Center presents “Wynton Marsalis at 50” Oct. 12-15 at the Rose Theatre, Broadway at 60th Street. For more information, call (212) 721-6500 or visit www.jalc.org.
- The Ausar Auset Society will host “Sankofa Showcase,” featuring some of New York City’s most conscious artists in a positive, cultural and relaxing environment, Sat., Oct. 15, 8:00 p.m. to midnight, at 626 Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. For more information, call (718) 460-3199.
- WBLS has your chance to join Egypt and the amazing Warner Bros. recording artist Jill Scott for lunch! Be Jill’s guest Mon., Oct. 17 at a secret location. Join the inner circle for your chance to win. Egypt will announce winners will be announced Fri., Oct. 14 at 10:50 a.m. on 107.5 WBLS. More information is available at www.wbls.com.
- Celebrate jazz music and culture at the annual “Jazz Treasures: Legacy, Legend and Heritage” concert, Mon., Oct 17 at 6:30 p.m. Featuring jazz legend and honoree Randy Weston and more. At the Rotunda of Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., Brooklyn. For more information, call (845) 384-6350 or visit www.transartinc.org.
- Mary Flowers Entertainment presents Ledisi’s “Pieces of Me” tour Sun., Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Live at the world famous Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St. The four-time Grammy nominated artist will be performing music from her smash hit CD with special guest Timothy Bloom. For tickets, call the Apollo box office, (212) 531-5305.
- “Absolute Funk: An Interstellar Trip to Honor George Clinton,” under the musical direction of Ray Chew Live, hosted by Dr. Bob Lee of WBLS. Tues., Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m., at the world famous Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
DANCE
- “The Bessies: The New York Dance and Performance Awards,” honoring outstanding work in dance performed during the 2010-2011 season, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth. Featuring award presentations by internationally renowned dance artists including Charles Atlas, Carmen de Lavallade, Ralph Lemo and Tere O’Connor, and a performance by students from the Harlem School of the Arts’ acclaimed dance program. Mon., Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. at the world famous Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
COMMUNITY
- National Action Network presents “From the Emancipator to the Liberator” and “The March and Rally for Jobs and Justice,” Sat., Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. at the National Sylvan Theater in Washington, D.C. Buses will depart NYC from 106 W. 145th St., between Lenox and Seventh avenues. For bus information and prices, contact Theresa Freeman at (917) 446-7464. For other departure locations, go to www.nationalactionetwork.net
- Bob Law’s health and wellness store Namaskar presents a mini health expo, Sat., Oct. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. Learn how to restore your health by creating an essential balance of diet and lifestyle. Muntu Law and Flow Uja Sorhaindo will create insights to heal and bring optimum health, and Dr. Elisa will show how you can relieve stress and anxiety. At Namaskar, 643 Vanderbilt Ave. in Brooklyn. For more information, call (718) 636-1967.
- The Center for Culture (the Afrikan Poetry Theatre) presents “World of Writing Workshops,” featuring Louis Reyes Rivera. Get information on self-publishing your book, signing contracts with traditional publishers (big or small) and ebook, print-on-demand and audio publishers, Sat., Oct. 22 from 4 to 6 p.m.
- “Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes” Sun., Oct. 23 at South Street Seaport and Pier 17 in NYC, Take the first step. Register today. For more information, call (888) DIABETES, Ext 3412 or visit stepout.diabetes.com.
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/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, find Imhotep Gary Byrd on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at GBELIFE.