Greetings! The New York City Walk to Salute the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Bill celebrates historic Harlem Saturday, Aug. 23, and is also a part of the 40th anniversary of Harlem Week 2014. The walk includes participants from throughout the five boroughs and the tristate region. For the full schedule of activities and cultural events in August, including “Uptown Saturday Night” and ”Harlem Day” and more, visit HarlemDiscover.com (see “Community”).
THEATER
“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.
“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.
The world premier of “Angela’s Justice,” an adaptation of ”Antigone” and an homage to Angela Davis. Set in a fictitious place in 1970, Angela is determined, by any means necessary, to get her brother properly buried. Aug.17–Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. at the Dream Up Festival, Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. between Ninth and 10th streets. Call 212- 254-1109.
MUSIC
“Smooth Cruises” sails into a new night with Maysa Aug. 7; Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns, with special guests Gerald Albright,Richard Elliot and Mindi Abair, Aug. 14; Rachelle Farrell Aug. 21; and Boney James Aug. 28. Cruises depart promptly at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. (Boarding begins at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively.) The “Hornblower Infinity” departs from Pier 40, located at Houston Street and Westside Highway. Visit marqueeconcerts.com.
A soulful extravaganza on the Hudson featuring Grammy Award-winner Regina Belle, “Gospel Show,” hosted by Neicy Tribbett, a live DJ and more Thursday, Aug. 7 on the Spirit of New York, located at Chelsea Piers at 23rd Street and the Westside Highway. The ship boards at 6 p.m. and returns at 10 p.m. Advance tickets only. Call 212-281-4887, email csimons@hcci.org or visit www.hcci.org.
B.B. King Blues Club presents Morgan Heritage Thursday, Aug. 7. There will also be a James Brown tribute show at Lucille’s Bar and Grill featuring celebrated R&B vocalist Freda Payne Aug. 9. B.B. King is located at 127 W. 42nd St. in Manhattan. Call 212-997-4144 or visit bbkingsblues.com.
The Blue Note presents Earl Klugh Aug. 12–17. The Blue Note is located at 131 W. Third St. Call 212-475-8592 or visit bluenotejazz.com.
City Winery presents the Aaron Neville Duo Aug. 17. City Winery is located at 155 Varick St. Call 212-608-0555 or visit citywinery.com.
Harlem Summer Stage 2014 takes place at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, 163 W. 125th St., every Thursday through Aug. 28, 5–8 p.m. For more information, visit summerstageinharlem.org.
The Martin Luther King Concert Series presents “Reggae Night” with Gyptian Aug. 11. Aug. 18 is “Gospel Night” with Tamela Mann and the Christian Cultural Center Choir.
The amazing Chaka Khan, featuring 10 stacks of the Sting International Thunder Sound System, Saturday, Aug. 23 at 9 p.m at the Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 W. 34th St. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.
The legendary Isley Bros, featuring Ronnie Isley, at the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Conn., Saturday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.
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.
Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Street Festival, featuring performance showcases, arts and crafts, vendors and entertainment, takes place Saturday, Aug. 9. Visit dancetheatreofharlem.org.
FILM
The latest film treatment of the story of “The Godfather of Soul,” “Get on Up,” featuring the music of James Brown, is now playing at select theaters. Check your local listings.
“Finding Fela!,” the story of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the father of Afrobeat, is now playing at the IFC Center. Visit felaonbroadway.com for more information.
COMMUNITY
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Harlem Week and the New York Amsterdam News invite all to attend New York City Economic Development Day Thursday, Aug. 7, from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Columbia University’s Alfred Lerner Hall (West 150th Street and Broadway) will host a health conference on Obamacare as well as an economic conference on New York tourism and development Thursday, Aug. 7. Open to the public (:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 212-862-7200.
A free public expo takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring financial, government, business, technology and housing services and much more! There will also be a farmers market 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on Harlem Week events, visit harlemweek.com or call toll-free 1-877-427-5364
CEMOTAP will host a film retrospect of the grassroots struggle for justice of the 70’s Saturday, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. The film, produced by Minister Clemson Brown, captured remarkable activity that resulted in new laws and political change. Leroy Baylor, a popular radio host, will be present to discuss his recent, abrupt removal from the airwaves of WHCR. The program, titled “Victims or Victors: The Power of Resistance,” will take place at CEMOTAP Center, located at 135-05 Rockaway Blvd., S. Ozone Park, N.Y. Admission is free. Call 347-907-0629 for additional information.
The National Action Network Political Action Committee presents a “Police Brutality Forum” at the House of Justice, 106 W. 145th St. in the village of Harlem, Saturday, Aug. 30 at 12:30 p.m. Pass the word! Come out and let your voice be heard! Take the 3 train to 145th Street.
The Political Action Committee will also have a voter registration tray at the Dance Theater of Harlem Saturday, Aug. 9 and on West 135th Street on the afternoons of Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17.
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.