Greetings! June as always is GBE Black Music Month, and now it is African-American Music Appreciation Month 2016 by proclamation of President Barack Obama. We also celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
The Juneteenth holiday is Friday, June 19, commemorating the official end of slavery in 1865. Slaves in Texas had not received word that they were free until two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. For more information, see COMMUNITY in our column below and visit:juneteenth.com.
THEATER
“Shuffle Along,” now on Broadway starring six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, is a musical revival of the 1921 sensation 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,” a Tony Award winner, 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,” the multiple Tony Award winner, 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
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.
“Bad/Dangerous/Invincible: Michael Jackson’s Epic Years,” Thursday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m., World Famous Apollo Theatre, 253 West 125th St., New York, N.Y. Mark Anthony Neal, author and Duke University professor of Black Popular Culture, will take us behind the music for a 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 is free. RSVP Required. Once you’ve registered online, you 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.
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 information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Mint Condition, Wednesday, July 6 through Friday, Jul 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.
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 Rd., 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.
DANCE
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre at Lincoln Center David H Koch Theatre, now through June 19. For information, call 212-496 0600 or visit Alvin Ailey.org.
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
The Juneteenth Committee of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center New York Support Group are hosting the annual Juneteenth-KingFest Celebration Parade & Street Fair, Saturday., June 18, in Harlem starting at 11:30 a.m. The parade will start at 116th Street between Lenox Avenue and Fifth Avenue. Call Elbert Shamisid-Deen or Ade Rasul at 212-662-2200/01 for more information on the parade and festival.
“It’s All About Love,” A tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire and Maurice White, featuring special guest performances. The Cooperative Culture Collective presents the 16th annual Fort Greene, Brooklyn, Juneteenth Arts Festival, Saturday, June 18, noon to 6 p.m., Cuyler Gore Park, Brooklyn (intersection Fulton Street and Greene Avenue). For information, call 718-455-4057 or visit fortgreenbrooklynjuneteenth.org.
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.
