Greetings! Birthday and rembrance salutes are in order this African Liberation Month 2016 for the Wonder Man, my iconic friend, brother and collaborator, Grammy Award winner, Stevie Wonder, who turns 66 on May 13.
May 10, 1943, Judith Anna Jamison, famous award-winning dancer and choreographer, was born in Philadelphia, Pa.
We also pay tribute to Lena Mary Calhoun Horne, singer, actress, dancer and civil rights activist, who died May 8 2010 and the iconic Master Blaster himself, Robert Nesta Marley, who passed May 11,1981.
Last but far from least, we celebrate Malcolm X Day, with the 91st anniversary of El Hajj Malik Shabazz, Brother Malcolm X, born May 19,1925 (see COMMUNITY)
THEATER
“Turn Me Loose,” a new comedic drama by Gretchen Law tells the story of comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory. Currently in previews, opening Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St., May 19. Starring Tony Award nominee and Emmy and NAACP Image Award winner Joe Morton, best known for his portrayal of Rowan Pope on the hit ABC drama, “Scandal,” as Dick Gregory. The play also features an original song by John Legend. Tickets are now on sale via www.telecharge.com or by phone at 212-239-6200. For more information, visit www.TurnMeLoosePlay.com.
“Eclipsed” written by Zimbabwean playwright and actress, Danai Gurira, directed by South African, Liesl Tommy, featuring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o. Women brought together by upheaval in their homeland of Liberia. Golden Theatre (252 W. 45th St.). For tickets and information, please visit www.EclipsedBroadway.com.
“The Color Purple” now on Broadway, featuring Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St., New York, N.Y. For information, visit colorpurple.com.
“Hamilton: An American Musical,” continues to captivate audiences at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St. For information, call 800-276-2392 or visit boxoffice.broadway.com.
MUSIC
Kool & The Gang, Sunday, May 15 at 7 p.m., Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, N.J. For information, call 201-227-1030 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Dance Africa Festival, 2016, “Dance of Ancient Futures,” featuring Yousou Ndour for two evenings with his longtime band Le Super Etoile de Dakar. Dance Music Film Bazaar, May 25-30, BAM, Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette St., Brooklyn, N.Y. visit BAM.org
Hot 97 Summer Jam, Sunday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m., MetLife Stadium, One MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, N.J. For information, visit: ticketmaster.com.
Beyonce—The Formation Tour, Tuesday, June 7 and Wednesday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m., Citi Field, Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
MusiqSoulchild/LaLah Hathaway/RaheimDeVaughn, Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m., NJPAC, 1 Center St., Newark, N.J. For information, call 888-466-5722 or visit ww.njpac.org.
National MS Society Musical Moments for MS presents Aretha Franklin, Thursday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m., NJPAC, 1 Center St., Newark, N.J. For information, call 888-466-5722 or visit ww.njpac.org.
Earth, Wind & Fire, Friday, June 17 at 8 p.m., Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, N.J. For information, call 732-224-8778 or visit countbasietheatre.org or ticketmaster.com.
Boyz II Men, Sunday, June 19 at 8 p.m., NYCB Theater at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, N.Y. For information, call 516-334-0800 or visit ticketmaster.com.
The Temptations and the Four Tops, Friday, June 24 at 8 p.m., NYCB Theater at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, N.Y. For information, call 516-334-0800 or visit ticketmaster.com.
COMEDY
Martin Lawrence, Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m., Barclays Center Brooklyn, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. For information, call 917-618-6700 or visit www.barclayscenter.com.
Trevor Noah, Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m., The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 39 Norwich Westerly Rd., Mashantucket, Conn. For information, call 800-200-2882 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Phyliss Yvonne Stickney, Renaissance woman, comedienne, actress, writer, director and producer will dish “Food for Thought,” Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar, 254 W. 72nd St., New York, N.Y. For information, visit:www.advocates4dia.com or call 212-579-0222.
BOOKS
Reading Circle: “Revolutionary Integration: A Marxist Analysis of African-American Liberation.” What will it take to truly end racism in the U.S.? This groundbreaking text highlights the crucial role of Black workers, women and LGBT people in the struggle for an integrated movement against not only race oppression but also all injustice and exploitation. Book available on site and online. May 19 and June 2. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Freedom Hall, 113 W. 128th St., Harlem. Admission is free. For information, call 212-222-0633 or email nycfsp@gmail.com.
FILM
The incomparable Don Cheadle directs and stars in “Miles Ahead,” highlighting legendary jazz trumpeter and musical genius, Miles Davis. Check theatres for listings.
COMMUNITY
Take a day off to honor Brother Malcolm X’s 91st birthday anniversary, with a Black Power march/shut down of the Harlem Central Business District. Assembly is Thurday May 19 at noon at the Harlem State Office Building on 125 Street. There will be a three-hour commercial moment of silence, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a brother who gave his life to his people. Also join a “Brother Malcolm” evening forum at the Harlem State Office Building on “Which Way Forward?” in this election year. For information and endorsement call 718-398-1766.
“Responding to Challenging Behaviors at School, Home and in the Community,” Thursday, May 26, 1770 Stillwell Ave., 2nd Floor, Bronx, N.Y., 10 a.m. to noon. This workshop discusses various underlying factors leading to challenging behaviors, as well as specialized techniques for identifying common triggers and the most successful approaches for decreasing and eliminating challenging behaviors. Workshops for parents, professional and caregivers. No children please. Free. To register, call 718-436-7979.
Hear Imhotep Gary Byrd on 107.5 WBLS-FM weekly with “Express Yourself,” Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and simulcast over WLIB 1190AM. The full show can also be heard on HD radio at WBLS-HD2 and at WBLS.com, WLIB.com and iHeartRadio. IGB is also heard on WBAI-FM 99.5 with Radio GBE: “The Global Black Experience” and “The Global Beat Experience,” Fridays 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both shows are archived online at www.wbai.org. To contact us for bookings or to reach us about your event or for comments, email igbexp@gmail.com, find us at Imhotep Gary Byrd on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @GBELIFE or call 212-592-3279.