Greetings! Black History goes Hollywood as Marvel-Disney’s “Black Panther” scored a stunning debut of $235 million over the four-day President’s Day weekend at its North American locations. Disney estimated that “Black Panther” would take in $218 million for the President’s Day weekend, and then projected an upward estimate Monday morning of an additional $17 million. “Panther” finished the weekend with $60.1 million, the second-best Sunday in film history, bested only by 2015’s “Star Wars: “The Force Awakens.”
Michelle Obama sent out this tweet:” “Congrats to the entire #blackpanther team! Because of you, young people will finally see superheroes that look like them on the big screen. I loved this movie and I know it will inspire people of all backgrounds to dig deep and find the courage to be heroes of their own stories.”
THEATER
“X: or, Betty Shabazz & the Nation,” written by Marcus Gardley and directed by Ian Belknap. Until Feb. 25. The Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. For information, call 866-811-4111 or visit www.stclementsnyc.org/.
“The Lion King,” Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., New York, N.Y. For information, visit http://minskofftheatre.box-officetickets.com.
“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.
“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. Until 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.
“Subway Story (A shooting),” final installment of the GUNPLAYS series, written and directed by Electric Black. Theater for The New City, 155 First Ave. (at 10th Street). For information, visit theaterforthenewcity.net.
MUSIC
Silk, 25th Anniversary, Friday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y.
Kool & The Gang, Friday, March 2, at 8 p.m. B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y.
The Temptations & the Four Tops, Friday, March 9, at 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, N.Y.
Jeffrey Osborne, Saturday, March 17, at 8 p.m., The Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 39 Norwich Westerly Rd., Mashantucket, Conn.
Brandy, Friday, March 23, at 9 p.m., B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y.
Brandy, Friday, March 24, at 8 p.m., The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 39 Norwich Westerly Rd., Mashantucket, Conn.
Aretha Franklin, Sunday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, N.J.
Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly, Thursday, March 29, at 8 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y.
COMEDY
Sinbad, Thursday, March 1, Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3, at 10 p.m., Carolines on Broadway, 1626 Broadway, New York, N.Y.
D.L. Hughley, Friday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., Saturday, March 17, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Sunday, March 18, at 7 p.m., Nyack Levity Live, 4210 Palisades Center Dr. A-401, West Nyack, N.Y.
TV
PBS is proud to celebrate Black History this February and all year-round. In 2018, they’re bringing a new lineup of films and turning a lens on you to celebrate the moments, memories and people in Black history that inspire you. www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/black-history-month-facts-and-films.
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.
“John Lewis—Get in the Way” follows the journey of civil rights hero, congressman and human rights champion John Lewis.
“Winnie” explores the life of Winnie Madikizela Mandela, one of the most misunderstood and intriguing of contemporary female political figures.
“The Talk: Race in America” is the conversation parents of color have with their children about interactions with police.
BOOKS
“Marvel’s Black Panther: A Comicbook Biography, From Stan Lee to Ta-Nehisi Coates,” by Todd Burroughs, published by Diasporic Africa Press, 2018.
FILM
“Black Panther,” starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker. 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.” Check local listings.
“Color of Water,” featuring Academy Award winner and Golden Globe Nominee Octavia Spencer. Check local listings.
COMMUNITY
February 2018 is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Approximately 1 in 10 teens who have been on a date have also been physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is a national effort to raise awareness and protect teens from violence and encourage schools, community-based organizations, parents and teens to come together to prevent teen dating violence. Use this month to raise awareness about teen dating violence and take action toward a solution, both at home and in our communities. Call 888-579-5790 or visit justsayyes.org/topics/dating-violence.
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.