Greetings! Welcome to Black History Month 2018! The 60th annual Grammy Awards 2018 came to the Big Apple’s Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2003, hosted by James Corden (“Mr. Carpool Karaoke”). The buzz in the industry and on the street was about the “diversity” of the nominees and awardees of the evening. Bruno Mars won all six awards for which he was nominationed, including album, song and record of the year. Kendrick Lamar was honored with five Grammys, including best rap album. Jay-Z had eight nominations but was shut out in his hometown. Other awardees included Best Gospel Performance/Song, “Never Have to Be Alone” —CeCe Winans; Best Gospel Album, “Let Them Fall in Love”—CeCe Winans; Best Reggae Album, “Stony Hill”—Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley; Best World Music Album, “Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration”—Ladysmith Black Mambazo; and Best Comedy Album, “The Age of Spin & Deep in the Heart of Texas”—Dave Chappelle.
Janelle Monáe brought passion to the Grammys in honor of Time’s Up, the movement founded to fight against sexual harassment and abuse. “We come in peace, but we mean business,” she roared.
THEATER
“Josh” tells the story of “The Black Babe Ruth,” Josh Gibson, a legendary Negro League Baseball player who some say died of a broken heart. Gibson was determined to make it into major league baseball, despite the odds. Set in the 1940s and based on real events. Feb. 8 to Feb. 25, Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. (between Ninth and 10th streets), New York, N.Y. Call 212-254-1109 or visit theaterforthenewcity.net.
“An Adam Experiment” provides a rare glimpse into the life of Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who fought for social justice and equality during the Civil Rights Movement while also wrestling with his own demons. Billie Holiday Theatre,1368 Fulton St., Brooklyn, N.Y. For tickets, call 718-636-6995 or visit thebillieholiday.org.
“X or Betty Shabazz & the Nation,” written by Marcus Gardley, directed by Ian Belknap, five weeks only. The Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. Call 866-811-4111 or visit www.stclementsnyc.org/.
“Sistas: The Musical,” St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. Running through January 2018. For information, call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com.
“The Lion King,” Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., New York, N.Y. For information, visit http://minskofftheatre.box-officetickets.com.
MUSIC
Regina Belle, Friday, Feb. 2, 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.
A Night of Love, featuring Anthony Hamilton, Kesha Cole, Avant, Tamia, Eric Benet and Donell Jones, Friday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m., Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, N.J. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
An Evening of Love, featuring Brian McKnight, K-C and JoJo, Christopher Williams and Al B. Sure, Friday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m., The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 39 Norwich Westerly Rd., Mashantucket, Conn. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Jeffrey Osborne, Friday, Feb. 9, 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.
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: Funky Fat Tuesday Celebration, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 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.
Patti LaBelle, Friday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m., St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt Street, Staten Island, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Boyz II Men Live in Concert, Saturday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m., Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, N.J. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Ladies Night R&B Super Jam, featuring Xscape, Bell Biv Devoe, K-Ci & JoJo, Tank, Faith Evans, Mint Condition and more, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m., Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave. (at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush Avenue), Brooklyn, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
70s Soul Jam Valentines Concert, featuring The Stylistics, The Emotions, Bloodstone, Peaches and Herb and The Blue Notes, Saturday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m., Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway at 74th Street, New York, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Mardi Gras Madness Tour, Sunday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m., The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
TV
PBS TV American Masters documentary “Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart” explores the inner life and works of the activist, playwright and author of “A Raisin in the Sun.” Check listings.
FILM
“Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba” at the IFC Center, 323 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. A fitting tribute to a rare talent who dedicated her life to the liberation of oppressed people all over the world. For information, call 212-924-7771 or visit www.miriam-makeba-movie.com/.
“Color of Water,” featuring Academy Award winner and 2017 Golden Globe nominee Octavia Spencer. Check local listings.
COMMUNITY
In celebration of Black History Month and as part of the Apollo Theater’s Open House Weekend activities, the Apollo Theater, Firelight Media, “Independent Lens” and PBS station THIRTEEN will host a screening of acclaimed director Stanley Nelson’s film, “Tell Them We Are Rising— The Story of Black Colleges and Universities,” Sun. Feb. 4, 2 p.m., at the Apollo Theater. The free, open to the public event will offer an advance screening of the film about historically Black colleges and universities, followed by a panel conversation moderated by “MetroFocus” anchor Rafael PiRoman, with HBCU alumni director Stanley Nelson, writer and professor Jelani Cobb, co-producer Marco Williams and “Luke Cage” co-star Simone Missick. The event will also include entertainment from the Delaware State University Pep Band the Approaching Storm and HBCU alumnus and RhythmAndSoulRadio.com DJ, The Legendary Chris Washington.
“King in New York” commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “King in New York” traces the civil rights leader’s encounters with New York from the 1950s until his assassination in 1968.The exhibition’s historic images chronicle King’s sermons in churches and speeches to the United Nations, his discussions about race relations with New York City’s mayor and his relationships with New York’s own network of activists. The images reveal a lesser known side of King’s work and demonstrate the importance of New York City in the national Civil Rights Movement. Now through June 1, 2018. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. at 103rd Street. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 212-534-1672 or email info @mcny.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. Archived online at www.wbai.org. For bookings or to reach us about your GBEvent or for comments, email Co-Editor Nyerere, nyerere1@aol.com, find us at Imhotep Gary Byrd on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @GBELIFE or call 212-592-3279.
