Greetings! With our GBE “African Reducation Month” in full swing, a series of events are upon us that celebrate the life of queen mothers of our culture who passed away recently.
A Maya Angelou memorial, presented by her family, Random House, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Center for York City, takes place Friday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. More than 1,200 people are expected to attend, including dignitaries and elected officials from across the United States.
Another wonderful national treasure, brilliant actress, poet and playwright Ruby Dee, will be remembered and honored with a public memorial service at the Riverside Church Saturday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. The service will feature tributes and reflections from family, friends and colleagues who were influenced by her outstanding life and work.
September is also Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Participate in the annual Sickle Cell Walk in Central Park Saturday, Sept. 20. Get more info at sctpn.net/1viralvoice/campaigns/walk/cclobbers/carrollclobbers.
THEATER
“Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned,” the new play by Tyler Perry, takes place Oct. 9 through 12 for six shows at the Beacon Theatre, 2130 Broadway at 75th Street. Tickets are available via the Beacon Theatre box office and Ticketmaster or by calling 866-858-0008 or visiting beaconhotel.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.
“Kinky Boots,” featuring 2013 Tony Award winner Billy Porter, is at the Al Hirschfield Theatre, 302 W. 45th St. For more information, call 866-276-4887 or visit broadway.com/shows/kink
“Aladdin,” featuring Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actor 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.
“The Lion King” is evolving into the highest grossing Broadway show of all time. It features a visually stunning yet realistic and thrilling landscape, with actors dressed as wild animals and encompassing their characters in spectacular, goosebump-giving performances that keep audiences coming back time and again. The show takes place at the Miniskoff Theatre, 1515 Broadway. Call 212-869-0550 or visit miniskofftheatre.com.
MUSIC
Katch a Fire performs at B.B. King Blues Club Thursday, Sept. 11. Wednesday, Sept. 17, see Avant. Call 212-997-4144 or visit bbkings blues.com.
Black Spectrum Theater and the International African Arts Festival launch the Spirit and Harmony Festival at Roy Wilkens Park, featuring Roy Ayers, Freddie McGregor, Wunmi, Chino and more, Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon until 6 p.m. Hosted by Imhotep Gary Byrd. Enjoy crafts, fashion, a hair show, food and more. For more information, call 718-723-1800 or visit blackspectrum.com.
The Blue Note presents Talib Kweli, Sept. 18 and 19. The Roy Quintet takes the stage Sept. 20 and 21. The Blue Note is located at 131 W. Third St. Call 212-475-8592 or visit bluenotejazz.com.
Don’t forget the ever-popular “Amateur Night” with the Show Offs, Top Dog and Super Top Dog at the world famous Apollo Theater, “where stars are born and legends are made.” For a full calendar, visit apollotheater.org.
Carnegie Hall presents Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela, Friday, Oct. 10 at the Stern Auditorium Perelman Stage, located at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. Visit carnegiehall.org.
COMEDY
Brilliant comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes performs Sept. 19 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, One Center St., Newark, N.J.
Hilarious comedian and actor David Alan Grier of “In Living Color” fame comes to Carolines on Broadway Sept. 25-27. For tickets and information, call 212-757-4100 or visit carolines.com.
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.
“Victory Eternal: The Scroll the Last Chapter” will screen at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, featuring the Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, senior pastor, 212 Tompkins Ave., Brooklyn, Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Free admission. Visit TheScrollMovie.com.
EXHIBITIONS
The Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture presents “In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience.” The Schomberg Center is located at 515 Malcolm X Blvd. Visit inmotinaaexp.org for more information.
FAMILY
The New York Urban League Football Classic featuring Howard University versus Morgan State University, Saturday, Sept. 20 at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff time is 3:30 p.m. There will be bands, tailgating parties, a vendor village and more!
COMMUNITY
The second annual Harlem Healthy Soul Festival, a community initiative focused on family health and wellness, is coming Saturday, Sept. 13, noon-6 p.m., behind the Apollo Theater, 126th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglass boulevards. Outdoor activities include health screenings, a farmer’s market, fitness exercises, health food vendors, health activities and demonstrations, double Dutch and step dance demonstrations, dance clinic with Knicks City Dancers and performances and appearances by Faith Evans, Dr. John Palmer, Dr. Ian Smith and DJ Big Tigger. The event is free and open to the public and sponsored by Coca-Cola and Emblem Health.Visit harlemhealthy.org for more information.
The official New York City 80th birthday party for Sonia Sanchez will be Friday, Sept. 19 at Bedford Hall, 1177 Bedford Ave. in Brooklyn, between Madison Street and Jefferson Avenue, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join poets, writers, artists, friends and colleagues of Sanchez to celebrate a milestone life event! Admission is required. Get tickets online at celebratesonia.eventbrite.com. Space is limited.
The 48th annual African-American Parade is coming through Harlem again Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m., from 111th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard to 136th Street, showcasing positive Black achievements, Black dignitaries and celebrities, queens, and organizations reflecting African culture as well as a salute to Black colleges and organizations and bands from 12 states. For further information, call Abe Snyder or Tamara Norman at 212-348-3080.
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.