Pass the word my friend, brother and long-time music collaborator, legendary Motown genius and Grammy Award winner Stevie Wonder is bringing his classic “Songs in the Key of Life” to 11 cities with live historic performances, launching Nov. 6 at Madison Square Garden. Wonder stands on a mountain of musical brilliance, including 49 Top 40 singles, 32 No. 1 singles and worldwide album sales of more than 100 million.
We give final acknowledgement and condolences to the family, friends and fans of iconic and innovative jazz-funk musician-composer Joe Sample of the legendary Jazz Crusaders, who passed at 73, as well as veteran jazz music promoter Boo Frazier. They will be missed.
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/kinky-boots.
“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.
MUSIC
Youssou N’Dour, the king of Segalese African pop, lights up BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House as part of the “Nonesuch Records at BAM” series Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13.
Avant, with special guest Angela Johnson, performs at B.B. King Blues Club Wednesday, Sept. 17. Call 212-997-4144 or visit bbkings blues.com.
The Blue Note presents Talib Kweli live with his band, Sept. 18 and 19. The Roy Hargrove Quintet performs Sept. 20 and 21. The Blue Note is located at 131 W. Third St. Call 212-475-8592 or visit bluenotejazz.com.
The 10th anniversary of Circle of Sisters, the largest expo in New York City uniting, motivating and celebrating women of color, takes place Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Jacob Javits Center, 34th Street and 11th Avenue. This year’s explosive two-day expo will include film screenings; relationship, health and financial panels; an R&B concert and gospel concert; a fashion show; a cooking pavilion; and more! Visit wbls.com or wlib.com for more info.
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 to 27. For tickets and info, call 212-757-4100 or visit Carolines.com.
FILM
“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.
“Through a Lens Darkly,” the first documentary to explore the role of photography in shaping the identity, aspirations and social emergence of African-Americans, from slavery to the present. Extended through Sept. 23 at Film Forum, 209 West Houston St.
“Take Me to the River” profiles the Memphis music scene with artists past and present. Check listings for theaters. Venues are limited.
FAMILY
The New York Urban League Football Classic, featuring Howard University versus Morgan State University, takes place Saturday, Sept. 20 at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. There will be bands, tailgaiting parties, a vendor village and more!
COMMUNITY
The official New York City 80th birthday party for Sonia Sanchez will be held Friday, Sept. 19 at Bedford Hall, 1177 Bedford Ave. 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.
Another wonderful national treasure, brilliant actress, poet and playwright Ruby Dee, will be remembered and honored with a public memorial service at Riverside Church Saturday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. The service will feature tributes and reflections from family, friends and colleagues influenced by her outstanding life and work.
September is 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.
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. The event showcases positive Black achievements, Black dignitaries and celebrities, queens and organizations that reflect African culture, and organizations and bands from 12 states. For further information, call Abe Snyder or Tamara Norman at 212-348-3080.
Pam Africa and her husband, Brother Razakhan, will be special guest speakers at CEMOTAP’s Sept. 27 forum at 2 p.m. “We are Closer to Freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal” is the topic of the event. CEMOTAP is located at 135-05 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park, N.Y. Admission is free.
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.
