Greetings! As the holidays roll, the World Famous Apollo Theatre is collaborating with the Kennedy Center to present a historic moment with a true hip-hop legend, Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), in what will be his final shows in the United States. The Apollo show is Wednesday, Dec. 21, followed by the Kennedy Center’s New Year’s Eve shows. Each show will include special guest appearances by artists who have been instrumental throughout Bey’s career, and each night he will perform songs from a different album.
THEATER
“The Color Purple,” a Broadway Tony winner 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.
“Sistas the Musical,” celebrating African-American women’s history, blending your favorite songs with a touching story of family, strength and perseverance. St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th Street, New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-947-3499 or visit www.broadwaybox.com/shows/sistasthe-musical.
“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
Hot 97 Hot for the Holidays, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m., featuring Usher, with performances by Travis Scott, T.I., Young Thug, Flex and Friends featuring Fat Joe & Remy Ma, French Montana, Young M.A. and Phresher, Lil Yachty, Jidenna and Kehlani. Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, N.J. For information, call 973-757-6600 or visit prucenter.com.
A Night of Inspiration: Composer, music director and producer Ray Chew leads outstanding soloists and a 64-piece orchestra, Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m., featuring Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Dionne Warwick, New Faith Church from Cape Town, South Africa and others, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-247-7800 or visit www.carnegiehall.org.
Gloria Gaynor, Saturday, Dec. 10, 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.
Darlene Love, Saturday, Dec. 17, and Friday, Dec. 23, 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.
R. Kelly Presents The Holiday Jam, Saturday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m., Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. For ticket information, call 718-856-5464 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Gladys Knight, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, 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.
The Isley Brothers, featuring Ronald and Ernie Isley, Saturday, Jan. 14, 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.
The New Stylistics, the Chi-Lites and The Delfonics, Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m., St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island, N.Y. For information, call 718-442-2900 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Gladys Knight, Sunday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m., New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, N.J. For information, call 888-466-5722 or visit njpac.org.
The Isley Brothers, Sunday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, N.Y. For information, call 516-334-0800 or visit livenation.com.
Ginuwine, Saturday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, NY For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.
COMEDY
Mike Epps, Thursday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m., Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt Street, Englewood, N.J. For information, call 201-227-1030 or visit ticketmaster.com.
“The Talk’s” Sheryl Underwood, Friday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Nyack Levity Live, 4210 Palisades Center Dr. A- 401, West Nyack, N.Y. For information, call 866- 468-3399 or visit ticketweb.com.
Martin Lawrence: Doin’ Time Comedy Tour, Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, N.J. For information, call 973-757-6600 or visit ticketmaster.com.
TV
Comedians Tracy Morgan, Mike Epps, Gabriel Iglesias, Doug E. Fresh and Rakim and classic musical acts Bell Biv DeVoe and En Vogue return home to the Apollo stage on “Showtime at the Apollo.” The two-hour event, hosted by Emmy Award-winning personality Steve Harvey, airs Monday, Dec.. 5, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., ET/PT, on Fox. Additional guests and performers to be announced.
FILM
“Loving,” about interracial couple Richard and Mildred Loving, who fell in love and were married in 1958. They grew up in Central Point, a small town in Virginia, more integrated than surrounding areas in the American South. Yet it was the state of Virginia, where they were making their home and starting a family, that first jailed and then banished them. Richard and Mildred relocated with their children to the inner city of Washington, D.C., but the family ultimately tries to find a way back to Virginia (See movie listings).
COMMUNITY
New York City’s top Black doll artists will be showcasing and selling more than 400 amazing, handcrafted dolls Saturday, Dec. 3, at the annual Morrisania Doll Society’s 2016 Harlem Holiday Doll Show and Sale at the Dwyer Cultural Center, 258 St. Nicholas Ave. at 123rd Street. Show hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.
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.
