Greetings! with Black History Month 2018 in motion, we salute Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who in 1915, along with Jesse E. Moorland, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now known as the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History) The organization set the foundation for what would become today’s national Black History Month, observed each February. The 2018 theme, “African-Americans in Times of War,” commemorates the centennial of the end of World War I in 1918.
The month sets the stage for a coming epic, Disney-Marvel’s “Black Panther,” which according to movie industry experts is heading for as much as $150 million in its North American opening on the four-day Presidents Day weekend. The film starring Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong’o also stars Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Michael B. Jordan. Ryan Coogler directed. “Black Panther” is outpacing all superhero movies in advance ticket sales for Fandango’s online tickets service, eclipsing 2016’s “Batman v Superman,” even though it doesn’t open in theaters until Feb. 16.
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
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.” Visit pbs.org.
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.
“Black Panther,” starring Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong’o. Boseman stars as T’Challa, who takes over as the king of Wakanda after his father T’Chaka is killed, as shown in “Captain America: Civil War.”
COMMUNITY
The Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture presents a panel discussion about the Harlem Riot of 1964, Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd., New York, N.Y.
The world famous Apollo Theater presents Black History Month 2018 programming all month long, including “Soundtrack ’63,” a live musical documentary with spirituals, protest songs and current popular music performed by an 18-piece orchestra, Saturday, Feb. 24. Created by Brooklyn’s Soul Science Lab, this new interpretation of the music of ’63 includes jazz, hip-hop, soul and poetry, with a captivating video installation of archival footage and animation. For a full schedule of Apollo Black History Month events, visit apollotheater.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.