Greetings. The line of new ancestors continues to grow with the passing of legendary Academy Award-nominated stage and film actress, performance poet, civil right, human rights and Pan-African activist Ruby Dee, wife of the late Ossie Davis. Dee died at the age of 91.
We also note the passing of brilliant Grammy-nominated, R&B Hall of Fame jazz vocalist Little Jimmy Scott. Scott died at age 89.
May they rest in peace.
As we approach Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery, get more information on the celebration by visiting juneteenth.com.
Theater
“Aladdin,” featuring Tony Award winner James Monroe Igleheart as the uniquely modern Genie, is playing now at the New Amsterdam Theatre, located at 214 W. 42nd St. Visit broadway.com.
“Holler If Ya Hear Me,” directed by Kenny Leon (“Fences,” “A Raisin in the Sun”), is a musical inspired by the late rapper Tupac Shakur’s music and lyrics. It officially opens June 19 at the Palace Theatre, one of Broadway’s largest venues. The cast will be led by performance artist, poet and musician Saul Williams. Performance previews began on May 29.
“After Midnight” celebrates Harlem’s golden age and the timeless songs of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Harold Arlen, all woven around the prose of Langston Hughes, and featuring the legendary Patti LaBelle. The music is by select Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars. Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. Fourth St. For information, call 212-719-4099 or visit brooksatkinsontheatre.com.
“Alive!” is a celebration of a generation in song, featuring a company of performers ages 55 and over. It was conceived and written by the first lady of WBLS, Vy Higgensen, and Ken Wydro. It’s now playing in repertory at the Dempsey Theater in Harlem, 227 W. 127th St. For more information, call 212-280-1067 or visit mamafoundation.org.
“Motown: The Musical,” with book by Berry Gordy Jr. and featuring 2013 Tony nominee Charl Brown, Brandon Dixon and Felicia Roswell, is now playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St., between Eighth Avenue and Broadway. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com or motownthemusical.com.
“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” a tribute to jazz legend Billie Holiday, features 2014 and multi-Tony Award winner Audra McDonald channeling Holiday’s classic moods and melodies, now through Aug.10 at Circle in the Square Theater, 1633 Broadway. Call 212-239-6200 or visit ladydayonbroadway.com for more information.
“Satchmo at the Waldorf” is the new play about Louis Armstrong, the man who invented jazz. It’s appropriate for audience members ages 14 and older due to strong language. It’s now playing at the Westside Theatre Upstairs, 407 W. 43rd St., between Ninth and 10th avenues. For more information, call 212-239-6200 or visit www.satchmonyc.com.
Music
Experience the elements of the universe, Earth, Wind & Fire, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St. in Newark, N.J., on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20. Showtime is 8 p.m. For tickets, call 212-282-8495 or visit njpac.org.
B.B. King Blues Club presents songbird Chrisette Michelle on Friday, June 27, and Oleta Adams on Saturday, June 28. Visit bbkingsblues.com for more information.
MC Lyte Loni Love, Ari Parker and Angelique Perrin, hosts of “Cafe Moca” on WBLS, present “Salute Her: Empowering Women Making a Difference Brunch and Day of Empowerment” at NJPAC, 1 Center St. in Newark, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 21. Featuring legendary diva Gloria Gaynor, Ilyasah Shabazz, “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and many more! To RSVP, visit salutehereventbrite.com.
New Edition’s “All Six” tour comes to the Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn on Sunday, June 29 at 7 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit wbls.com.
T.V.
Veteran reporter Dean Meminger is hosting an ongoing series called “Soul’s Survivors,” profiling some of the greats of classic soul, all month on NY1.
Film
The 18th annual American Black Film Festival will be held in New York City, June 19-22, hosted by ambassadors Morris Chestnut and Tonya Lee Lewis. Check out the event schedule and get your passes and tickets at www.abff.com.
Comedy
Dave Chapelle, featuring several musical guests with a full orchestra, performs at Radio City Music Hall June 24-28.The musical guests joining Chapelle include the Roots on Tuesday, June 24; Busta Rhymes, DJ Premier and Janelle Monae on Wednesday, June 25; and Erykah Badu on Thursday, June 26, with more to be announced. For tickets and information, visit livenation.com or radiocitymusic-hall.com.
Community
The 24th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s 1990 visit to New York City will be commemorated at Columbus Park Borough Hall Plaza, near 209 Joralemon St., in Brooklyn Heights, on Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Brooklyn Borough President Eric L Adams, the Rev Dr. Herbert Daughtry, labor unions and noted anti-apartheid activists are expected to participate. Cultural activities will be provided by the JAZZ Drummers Circle and South African musicians.
The Ausar Auset Society hosts “Women’s Wellness Day” on Saturday, June 21 from 12-7 p.m. to honor and celebrate all women. Ausar Auset is located at 305 Remsen Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. It will include workshops, healing dance, meditation sessions, music and more. Delicious vegetarian food will be available on location. Vending is available. For further information, call Taui at 718-469-3199 or email nvm@nilevalley.com.
With June being Gun Violence Awareness Month, the National Action Network presents a “Post-Convention Gun Violence Forum” at the House of Justice (106 W. 145th St. in Harlem) on Saturday, June 28 at 11 a.m. Come out and let your voice be heard! For further information, contact 212-690-3070.
Pass the word and join our GBE family at “Thank You for Your Kindness,” our life celebration for GBE producer extraordinaire, the late J.D. Livingston, to be held on Saturday, June 28 from 1-5 p.m. at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building in Harlem. All are invited as we say a final farewell to a true brother, friend and warrior for our community. For more information, call 212-592-3279 and listen for announcements on our weekly broadcasts.
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.
