Greetings! With our GBE “Black Media Month” as the backdrop, we note preparations for the upcoming United States-African Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., in August. The Africa Union Commission will be organizing two town hall meetings in Washington and New York City as side events to engage the diaspora media as a vehicle for building a comprehensive stakeholder community within the African Union that involves and engages all sections of the African community in African Union activities. Contact HabibaM@africa-union.org or YambouE@africa-union.org.
THEATER
“Holler If Ya Hear Me” is closing July 20. Kenny Leon (“Fences,” “A Raisin in the Sun”) directs this musical inspired by the late rapper Tupac Shakur’s music and lyrics. It’s now playing at the Palace Theatre. For more information or tickets, call 212-730-8200 or visit palacetheatreonbroadway.com.
From the producers of “Best Kept Secret,” “The Dwelling Place” is a production where nothing is at it seems. With lives in the balance and heavy consequences, it will make you laugh and cry. Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 at Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre, 2033 Fifth Ave., between 124th and 125th streets.
“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. Visitbroadway.com.
“Motown: The Musical,” with book by Berry Gordy Jr., 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.
Tyler Perry presents “Hell Hath No Fury, Like a Woman Scorned,” coming to the Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway (between 74th and 75th streets) in October 2014. Call 212-465-6500 or visit beacontheatre.com for more information.
MUSIC
B.B. King’s presents Rahaan Paterson, July 19, and Alexander O’Neal, July 26. B.B. King’s is located at 127 W. 42nd St. in Manhattan. Call 212-997-4144 or visit bbkings blues.com.
The Blue Note presents the Wallace Roney Quintet with Lenny White and Buster Williams plus a special guest July 24-27. Harvey Mason Chameleon performs July 28-30. The Blue Note is located at 131 W. Third St. Call 212-475-8592 or visit bluenotejazz.com.
Harlem Week begins Sunday, July 27 from noon-8:30 p.m. with “ A Great Day in Harlem.” The musical theme is “It’s a Celebration!” featuring Kool and the Gang. The schedule is as follows: Part 1, 1-3 p.m.: an “International Cultural Showcase” featuring local, global and choral groups; Part 2, 3-4:15 p.m.: a “Gospel Celebration” featuring inspirational music; Part 3, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: a “Fashion Fusion Showcase” showcasing the best in urban fashion; Part 4, 5:45-8:30 p.m.: “A Concert Under the Stars” featuring Ray Chew and the Harlem Music Festival All Stars with special guest performances. Performances take place at Grant National Memorial Park, 122nd Street and Riverside Drive. Visit harlemdiscover.com for more information.
Don’t forget about Harlem Summer Stage 2014, with music and dancing at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, 163 W. 125th St. in Harlem, Thursdays in July and August 5-8 p.m. Visit SummersStageHarlem.org.
Live Nation presents Keyshia Cole’s “Point of No Return” tour at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. Call 212-777-6800 or visit irvingplaza.com.
City Winery presents the Aaron Neville Duo on Aug. 1 and 17. City Winery is located at 155 Varick St. Call 212-608-0555 or visit citywinery.com.
The Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn presents the brilliant John Legend on Aug. 6. Early tickets are a must.Visit centerbrooklyn.com for more information.
COMEDY
The Wayans are coming! The Wayans brothers bring their outragous humor to the New Jersey Performing Art Center’s Prudential Hall, One Center St., Newark, N.J., on Aug 1. Visit njpac.org for more information.
FESTIVAL
Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell, now through August 2014. Visit BRICartsmedia.org or celebratebrooklyn.org for a full schedule of all featured events.
COMMUNITY
Celebrate Dr. John Henrik Clark’s legacy of excellent scholarship, nation building, cultural exposition, research and teaching. Dr. Adelaide Sanford (founder of the Dr. John Henrik Clarke House), attorney Gloria Brown Marshall, Dr. Leonard Jeffries and others help keep Clarke’s great work alive at the 16th annual tribute. The event will be held on p.m.Sunday, July 20 at 3 p.m. at the Church of Gethsemane, located at 1012 Eighth Ave. in Brooklyn. Members of the Board for the Education of People of African Ancestry, an educational institution housed at the Dr. Clarke House in Manhattan, invite all who were inspired by Clarke’s work to join in the celebration of the life of one of African world’s.most important scholars. Call 347-907-0629 for more information.
The fourth annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival unfolds at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens on Sunday, July 20. Performances will begin on the main stage at 3 p.m., opening with a variety of inspirational gospel and reggae sets from talented rising artists. Maxi Priest will close out the show. For advance tickets, visit jerkfestivalny.com and selected retail outlets. Kids 12 and under are free. Gates will open at noon, and the fun will go on until 8 p.m.
“To Insure or Not to Insure? Keeping Your Small Business Healthy”: Learn from a panel of health insurance and small business experts about options, responsibilities and the most cost-efficient choices available to small businesses on Tuesday, July 22 from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. in the auditorium at 361 W. 125th St. There will be a free lunch catered by Melba’s, plus the opportunity to win a gift card to Melba’s, Red Rooster or the Magic Johnson Theater. Space is limited. Call 646-569-3151 or register online at 125health.eventbrite.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 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.
