Greetings! With deep sadness we report the hospitalization of reggae icon Rita Marley, widow of the legendary Bob Marley. Sister Rita (age 70) was hospitalized in Miami with a debilitating stroke. The family has grave concerns and fans from around the world are sending her light.

As we close Sickle Cell Awareness Month, please visit:sicklecelldisease.org. On a happier note: Happy birthday Phylliss Yvonne Stickney.

THEATER

“The Color Purple,” a Tony winner 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.

“Love Jones the Musical,” Saturday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m., Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. For information, call 718-856-5464 or visit ticketmaster.com.

“Sistas the Musical,” a celebration of African-American women’s history, blends your favorite songs with a touching story of family, strength and perseverance. By the end you’ll be up on your feet singing and dancing along. St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. For information, 212-947-3499 or visit www.broadwaybox.com/shows/sistasthe-musical.

MUSIC

R. Kelly, The Buffet Tour 2016, Thursday, Sept. 29, at 8 p.m., The Palace Theatre Albany, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany, N.Y. For information, call 518-465-4663 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Mary J. Blige, Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1, 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.

Gladys Knight, Sunday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, N.Y. For information, call 516-334-0800 or visit ticketmaster.com.

The Whispers, Friday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Beyoncé: The Formation World Tour, Friday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m., MetLife Stadium, One MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, N.J. For information, call 201-559-1300 or visit ticketmaster.com.

R Kelly: The Buffet Tour 2016, Saturday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m., Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, N.J. For information, call 973-757-6600 or visit prucenter.com.

The O’Jays, Saturday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, N.Y. For information, call 516-334-0800 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Lauryn Hill—The MLH Caravan: A Diaspora Calling! Concert Series, Thursday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m., Radio City, 1260 Sixth Ave., New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-247-4777 or visit ticketmaster.com.

After 7, Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Smokey Robinson, Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 200 Hurd Rd., Bethel, N.Y. For information, call 800-745-3000 or visit bethelwoodscenter.org.

Brian McKnight, Friday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m., State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, N.J. For information, call 732-246-7469 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago—Heart And Soul Tour 3.0, Sunday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m., Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville, Conn. For information, call 860-862-TIXX (8499) or visit ticketmaster.com.

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Friday, Oct. 28, 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.

Toni Braxton, Sunday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m., State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, N.J. For information, call 732-246-7469 or visit ticketmaster.com.

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic—Halloween Funkdown, Monday, Oct. 31, at 8 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.

COMEDY

Donnell Rawlings, Thursday, Sept. 29, at 9:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m., Carolines on Broadway, 1626 Broadway, New York, N.Y. For ticket information, visit ticketweb.com.

“Birthday Roast,” an evening of spoken word and conscious comedy featuring Phyllis Yvonne Stickney of “New Jack City” and “The Women Of Brewster Place,” along with special musical guest, Saturday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar, 254 W. 72 St., New York, N.Y. between Broadway and West End Avenue. For ticket information, visit advocates4dia.com.

Sommore, Sunday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Dick Gregory, Wednesday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m., Carolines on Broadway, 1626 Broadway, New York, N.Y. For ticket information, visit ticketweb.com.

COMMUNITY

Circle of Sisters, the largest expo for women of color in New York, N.Y., produced and hosted by WBLS-FM-HOT 97, WLIB-AM and Emmis Communications. COS is being held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, Oct. 15-Oct. 16. Featuring panel discussions, seminars, inspirational services, gospel concerts and a fashion show, in addition to more than 200 vendors and small businesses selling unique items and services all weekend, with youth activities including lessons in the arts and dance at the Children’s Pavilion. Participants can attend informative and empowering panel discussions led by authors, field experts, political figures and some of the biggest names in entertainment.visitwbls.com/circleofsisters.

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. Archived online at www.wbai.org. For bookings or to reach us about your GBEvent or for comments, email co-editor Nyerere Shannon @ nyerere1@aol.com, find us at Imhotep Gary Byrd on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @GBELIFE or call 212-592-3279.