Greetings! As we end Black Media Month in the GBE, we move into August with our Celebrate Harlem Month. The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce’s “Harlem Week 2012: Where the World meets the World” opened with a bang this past weekend, saluting the legendary late Hal Jackson, his queen and on air co-host Debbie B and mixmaster Clay Berry with a “Great Day in Harlem,” the theme of which was “Sunday Classics.” The event saluted many of the classic DJs mentored by the “Godfather of Black Radio” and had a star-studded lineup for the Concert Under the Stars.
For more Harlem Week festivities and the full schedule, go to www.harlemweek.com (also see “Community”).
Theater
- “Undisputed Truth,” the one-man show directed by Spike Lee, who is best known for his work directing films like “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X,” has Mike Tyson trying something new this summer: performing on a Broadway stage. The show is billed as the raw tale of Tyson’s life, touching on his professional success as well as his personal troubles. The former heavyweight champion of the world is appearing in New York City for 12 shows, now through Aug. 12. At the Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St. For tickets and more information, call (212)239-2820 or go to www.ticketnetwork.com or www.shubertorganization.com/theatres/longacre.asp.
- The Tony Award-winning production of “Fela!” has returned to Broadway for a limited run of 32 performances. Adesola Osakalumi, who starred in the title role for the world tour along with Tony Award-nominated actor Sahr Ngaujah, will be channeling Fela at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, at 302 W. 45th St., through Sat., Aug. 4. For tickets and more information, call (212) 947-8844 or visit www.felamusicalknittingfactory.com.
- “The Best Man,” featuring the brilliant James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury. A revival of Gore Vidal’s play about a contentious presidential election campaign, which originally ran on Broadway in 1960 and was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play. At the Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45th St.
- “Clybourne Park,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Bruce Norris, directed by Pam McKinnon, which also won the Olivier Award for Best New Play, imagines the history of one of the more important houses in literary history, from Lorraine Hansberry’s classic “A Raisin in the Sun.” At the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 W. 48th St. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250 or visit www.clybournepark.com.
- “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” a revival of the famous folk opera with a revised book in a musical theater format and jazz-oriented musical arrangements, featuring Tony Award winner Audra Macdonald. At the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St. For tickets, call (212) 239-6262 or (800) 432-7780.
Music
- The Martin Luther King Jr. concert series at Wingate Field features free shows every Monday through Aug. 20. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. New Edition members Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant perform as Heads of State on Mon., Aug. 6. Wingate Field is on Brooklyn Avenue between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street. For more information, visit www.brooklynabout.com.
- The Seaside Summer Concert series presents the Jacksons on their summer reunion tour, playing a free show at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue on Sat., Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Also set to perform during the concert series held next to MCU Park are Gladys Knight and the Commodores on Aug. 16. All shows are free! 572 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn. For more information, call (718) 222-0600.
- Earl Klugh is at the Blue Note, 1313 W. 3rd St., Aug. 7-12 at 8 and 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.bluenotejazz.com.
- New York City’s Premier Summer Jazz Series presents their 15th summer season of world-class contemporary jazz, setting sail Wednesday nights through Aug. 29. Two shows begin at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. aboard the beautiful Spirit of New York cruise ship, departing from Pier 61 in Chelsea Piers at West 23rd Street and the West Side Highway. Coming next are Rachelle Farrell on Aug. 15, Norman Brown with Gerald Albright on Aug. 22 and Regina Bell on Aug. 29. For more information, go to www.marquees.concerts.com.
Film
- Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks presents “Red Hook Summer,” arriving in select theaters Fri., Aug. 10. For more information, visit www.40acres.com.
Community
- “Harlem Week 2012: Where the World Meets the World,” with over 100 events throughout July and August. Join over 2 million attendees! Still to come are “Summer in the City,” Sat., Aug 18; the children’s festival Aug. 18-19; and Harlem Day on Sun., Aug 19. For general inquiries, call (877) 427-5364. For schedule and vendor info, go to www.harlemweek.com.
- “A Celebration of Our Sons Through Words and Images” is a group exhibition by 10 visual artists being featured at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. art gallery, located on the second floor of 163 W. 125th St., east of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. The exhibition is free and on view now through Aug. 8 by appointment; to schedule, contact the curator, Gregory Mills, at (212) 749-5298.
- Pastor Donnie McClurkin and the Perfecting Faith Church Family invite you to join them for “Church Without Walls!!!” Bring family members and friends and meet at the Western Beef parking lot at 332 Nassau Road in Roosevelt, Long Island every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. now through Aug. 26. Live music, praise dancing and fun for the entire family–free! All are welcome to come celebrate, dance and experience an exciting summer of kingdom building, community outreach and the powerful word of God. For more information, call (516) 223-8300 or visit www.perfectingfaith.org.
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.