Greetings! Welcome to GBE Black Music Month 2016. The world continues to mourn the unforgettable man born Cassius Clay, who became “the Greatest,” Muhammed Ali. The “peoples champion” passed at age 74, after a long bout with Parkinson’s disease. Our deepest condolences to his family, extended family, friends and fans. Ali defied the system, defined a generation and became a beloved hero around the world.
THEATER
“Shuffle Along,” now on Broadway starring six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, is a musical revival of the 1921sensation featuring the show’s original music and lyrics by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, with choreography by Savion Glover. Music Box Theatre, 238 W. 45 St., New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-239-6200 or visit shufflealongbroadway.com
“Turn Me Loose” a new comedic drama by Gretchen Law tells the story of comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory. At the Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St., until July 3. Starring Tony Award nominee, 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 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., New York, N.Y. For tickets and information visit EclipsedBroadway.com.
“The Color Purple” now on Broadway, featuring Heather Headley, 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., New York, N.Y. For information, call 800-276-2392 or visit boxoffice.broadway.com.
MUSIC
MusiqSoulchild/Lalah Hathaway/Raheem DeVaughn, 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.
Ziggy Marley live, with Steel Pulse and Maxi Priest, Saturday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m., the Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk, 3052 W. 21st St., Brooklyn, N.Y. For informattion, visit: ticketmaster.com.
Mint Condition, Wednesday, July 6 through Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.
New Edition and Babyface, Thursday, July 7 at 8 p.m., Webster Bank Arena, 600 Main St., Bridgeport, Conn. For information, call 203-345-2400 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m., State Theater, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, N.J. For information, call 732-246-7469 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Maxwell, Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m., The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 39 Norwich Westerly Rd., Mashantucket, Conn. For ticket information, call 800-200-2882 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Lauryn Hill, Friday, July 8 at 9 p.m., Toyota Oakdale Theatre, 95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford, Conn. For information, call 203-265-1501 or visit livenation.com.
Maxwell, Saturday July 9 at 8 p.m., the Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk, 3052 W. 21st St., Brooklyn, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
COMEDY
Earthquake’s Father’s Day Celebration, Sunday, June 19 at 6 p.m., New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, N.J. For information, call 888-466-5722 or visit njpac.org.
COMMUNITY
Join Women in the Black at their 18th annual “Who’s the Boss” women’s conference, Saturday, June 11 at 8 a.m. at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, 163 W. 125th St. in Harlem. Visit:wbls.com.
“Bad/Dangerous/Invincible: Michael Jackson’s Epic Years,” Thursday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m., World Famous Apollo Theatre, 253 W. 125th St, New York, N.Y. Mark Anthony Neal, author and Duke University professor of Black Popular Culture, will look at Michael Jackson’s impact on music, culture and entertainment and his evolution in becoming one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Admission if free. RSVP Required. Once you’ve registered online, you will receive an email confirmation. You must print out your email confirmation and bring it with you the evening of the event. Note: Entry is not guaranteed. For information, call 212-531-5300 or visit: apollotheater.org.
The Women of Proverbs 8 Council. Inc. & The World Yoga Community Inc. presents a Stop the Violence Conference/Banquet and Concert, 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.,Thursday, June 16, 2016, to support our youth/community and commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soweto youth protest and massacre in South Africa in 1976. The event will feature an open discussion/conference with presenters and panelists on the increasing violence in families and the community at large at the International Inter-Faith Center, 4 W. 43rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Call 347-869-0523 or email Lahhwoods@hotmail.com.
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.