Greetings! Our GBE African Re-education Month/National Preparedness Month 2013 is sounding the call for the second annual Global Citizen Festival, an event intended to raise awareness of global poverty and education, returning to Central Park on Sept. 28, with Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and Kings of Leon performing. People will be eligible to obtain free tickets by getting involved in various social causes through www.globalcitizen.org.
Theater
“Blink Your Eyes: Sekou Sundiata Revisited,” the seven-month citywide retrospective tribute to Sundiata’s life and legacy as a poet, performer and educator activist, is in its final phase with a series of works: “The Circle Unbroken is a Hard Bop”; “The 51st Dream State,” presented as a musical theater piece for radio; and “WeDaPeoples Cabaret,” featuring the original cast. For more information, visit www.mappinternational.org.
In “A Time to Kill,” Rupert Holmes revisits John Grisham’s 1989 legal story on race and justice. In the story, an African-American defendant (John Douglas Thompson) is threatened with capital punishment for the murder of white rapists. He is defended by a white lawyer (Sebastian Arcelus). The show will run Sept. 28 through Dec. 31 at John Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues. For tickets and more information, call 212-239-6200 or visit www.atimetokillonbroadway.com.
“The Trip to Bountiful,” featuring Leon Addison Brown in the role of Ludie, Tony nominee Vanessa Williams and three-time Emmy Award winner and 2013 Tony Award winner Cicely Tyson, has been extended to Oct. 9. It 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.
“Motown: The Musical,” with book by Berry Gordy Jr. and featuring 2013 Tony nominee Valisia LeKae as Diana Ross, Tony nominee Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson and Brandon Dixon as Berry Gordy. It is now playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St. (between Eighth Avenue and Broadway). For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.motownthemusical.com.
“Straight to the Head,” with singing sensation and Tony Award winner Melba Moore, is coming to Newark Symphony Hall (1020 Broad St., Newark, N.J.) Sept. 14–15. Showtime is at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.newarksymphonyhall.org.
“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/kinky-boots.
Music
Joe Sample & The Creole Joe Band will perform at the Blue Note on Sept. 10-16. The New Gary Quartet will stop on its 70th Birthday Tour on Sept. 17-18. Terence Blanchard will perform on Sept. 29-30, and Larry Coryell will perform on Sept. 21-22. The Blue Note is located at 121 W. Third St. For more information, call 212-475-8592 or visit www.bluenote.net.
Jazz at Lincoln Center opens the fall season on Sept.19-21 with the brilliant Ahmad Jamal and Wynton Marsalis plus the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. For more information, visit jalc.org.
The genius jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan will play at the Iridium, (1650 Broadway at 51st Street) on Sept. 12-15. For more information, call 212-582-2121 or visit theiridium.com.
Lionel Richie brings his classics to the Barclays Center on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.barclayscenter.com/events.
The amazing Earth, Wind & Fire hit the stage at the Beacon Theatre on Sept. 24-25 at 8 p.m. The Beacon is located at 2124 Broadway (between West 74th and 75th streets). For more information, visit www.beacontheatre.com.
Comedy
Don’t miss Sinbad’s return to the NYCB Theatre at Westbury on Friday, Sept. 13. Tickets are on sale now. Call 800-745-3000 or the Westbury box office or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Shaquille O’Neal’s “All Star Comedy Jam” comes to Best Buy Theater in Times Square (1515 Broadway) on Saturday, Sept. 14. There will be shows at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.bestbuytheater.com.
Film
T.D. Jakes presents “Winnie Mandela,” featuring Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. Check your local theaters for listings.
Community
After centuries of forced migration from Egypt/Kemet to the west coast of Africa, the Gaa people gave thanks for their survival and arrival by celebrating the Homowo Festival. Celebrate Homowo on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. at North Presbyterian Church, 525 W. 155th St. For more information, call 201-282-1522.
Heart to Heart features “Men in Ministry – Men of Praise” in concert. Leading the illustrious roster is renowned pastor Wess Morgan. The event will also feature the Revs. Eugene Martin, Vandell Atkins and Keith Bolden, Elder George Heyward, the Singing Pastors of Piscataway, the Labor of Love Ensemble, Alson Farley Jr. and others. Plus, back by popular demand, Herbalist Patrice, aka “The Bush Queen,” of EthniciTea NYC, will be in attendance with “Whole & Healthy Heart: Blood Pressure Aide Tea Blend” and many other heart-healthy herbal favorites. This concert is a fundraiser; portions of the funds will go to support the American Heart Association. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. For more information, visit www.symphonyspace.org or www.heart2hearthealthypraise.com.
September is National Preparedness Month. The National Action Network Political Action Committee presents guest speaker Ramona Ponce, the team chief of South Harlem CERT, at the 9 a.m. “Saturday Morning Radio Rally Broadcast” live on WLIB 1190AM. Come out to the weekly rally with keynote speaker the Rev. Al Sharpton at the House of Justice, 106 W. 145th St., Harlem, on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 9 a.m. Get involved. Get prepared. Bring your questions and get answers and join the NANPAC monthly meeting in the center of the auditorium on the fourth Saturday of every month immediately following the rally. For more information, visit nationalactionnetwork.net.
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 to 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 to 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 or follow us on Twitter @GBELIFE or call 212-592-3279.