Greetings! Many thanks to the brothers and sisters who joined us this past weekend and tuned in to “Support in the Key of Life,” a “Webb-a-Thon” online medical fundraiser at www.kenwebb.com, for my son, Khamit Byrd. The event was sponsored by Ken “Spider” Webb, the BulLion Foundation and friends and was held at the Harlem State Office Building.
The webcast featured radio legend and filmmaker Bob Law; New York City radio legends and WBLS alumni Ken Webb, G. Keith Alexander, Johnny Allen, Vaughn Harper and Lenny Green; current WBLS “Quiet Storm” host Roy Ayers; my Pisces sista Alyson Williams; broadcast partner Vinette K. Pryce; Don Thomas of the New York Beacon; Bishop Xavier Eikerenkoetter of United Palace Cathedral; Daa’iya L. Sanusi and Jeanne Parnell of WHCR-FM; TV journalist and author Julian Phillips and his wife; inspirational jazz vocalist Barabara King; “Soul-Patrol” founder Bob Davis; Barbara King; Nana Camille Yarbrough; and many more friends. The atmosphere was filled with much love—both on location and online. We were all moved.
We also note the passing of influential essayist, critic and novelist Albert Murray, who died on Sunday at his home in Harlem. He was 97.
Theater
- “Motown: The Musical,” with book written by Berry Gordy Jr. and featuring 2013 Tony nominee Valesia LeKae as Diana Ross, Tony nominee Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson and Brandon Dixon as Berry Gordy, is now playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St. (between Eighth Avenue and Broadway). For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com and www.motownthemusical.com.
- “The Trip to Bountiful,” directed by Michael Wilson and featuring Oscar winner Cuba Gooding, Tony nominees Vanessa Williams and Condola Rashad and legendary three-time Emmy Award winner and 2013 Tony Award winner Cicely Tyson, is now playing at the Sondheim Theatre, 124 W. 43rd St. For more information or tickets, call 800-901-4092 or visit www.newyorkcitytheatre.com.
- “Kinky Boots,” featuring 2013 Tony Award winner Billy Porter, is now playing at the Al Hirschfield Theatre, 302 W. 45th St. For more information, call 866-276-4887 or visit www.broadway.com/shows/kinkyboots.
Music
- Listen to some classic soul from Gladys Knight and the O’Jays at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, N.J., on Friday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. For more information, visit wbls.com/events or www.njpac.org.
- New York City diva-legend Melba Moore will perform with Andre Ward at B.B. King Blues Club in Times Square on Friday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. For more information, go to www.bbkingsblues.com.
- Pastor Donnie McClurkin and local area pastors present the10th anniversary of the “New York Call” at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. There will be two stages and two concerts that will feature Bishop Hezekiah Walker, J.J. Hairston and others. There will also be an empowerment pavilion with free health screenings and giveaways. Inspirational messages will be delivered by Stephen Baldwin, Lowell Hawthorne and others. Free admission and parking! For more information, visit www.wbls.com/events.
- The funky, brilliant vibraphonist Roy Ayers is coming on Tuesday, Aug. 27 to the Blue Note, 121 W. Third St. For more information, call 212-475-8592 or visit www.bluenotejazz.com.
- End the summer on a high note with a Smooth Cruise and the wonderful Phil Perry aboard New York’s premier summer jazz series! Join us on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. aboard the Spirit of New York to say farewell to summer. For more information, visit www.wbls.com.
Film
- “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” based on the true story of White House butler Eugene Allen, who served seven successive presidents, is in theaters now. The film features Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey, among others. Check your local listings.
- “2 Guns,” starring Denzel Washington, is out in theaters everwhere. Check your local listings.
- “Fruitvale Station” is now playing in select theaters. Check your local listings.
Community
- The 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is coming this weekend, on Saturday, Aug. 24! It will not only be a commemoration, but a continuation of the efforts made 50 years ago. Join the march and “Realize the Dream.” Bus options are limited, but you can visit www.nationalactionnetwork.net for more information
- Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, WBLS and WLIB present the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run/Anti-Gun Violence Walk on Saturday, Aug. 24. The event is a citywide effort to bring us all together to combat gun violence, bullying and domestic violence and to encourage citywide unity to bring about peace in our communities. This year, the walk is also in honor of the 50th anniuersary of the March on Washington. Event registration begins at 6 a.m. Run start time is at 8:30 a.m., and walk start time is at 10 a.m. 135th Street and St. Nicholas (Malcolm X Boulevard). For more information, call 212-423-22886 or visit www.Harlemweek.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 7-9 p.m., and on WLIB-AM with “The GBE Mind Flight,” Sunday evenings from 9 p.m. to midnight. The full show can be heard on HD radio at WBLS-HD2. IGB is also heard on WBAI-FM 99.5 with Radio GBE: The “Global Black Experience” and “Global Beat Experience,” Saturdays from 5-7 p.m. We are archived online with both shows at www.wbai.org. To contact us for bookings or to reach us about your event, email igbexp@gmail.com, find Imhotep Gary Byrd on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @GBELIFE or call 212-592-3279.