Greetings! At press time, reports are that “Papa” Joe Jackson of the famed Jackson family is suffering from a case of terminal cancer. TMZ reports that family members are rallying to his bedside. The 89-year-old Jackson family mentor/patriarch has been ill (possibly from pancreatic cancer) for some time and appears to be at the end stage. The children, grandchildren and Mama “Katherine” Jackson, his wife of 68 years, have made the trip to the hospital to pay final respects. Jermaine Jackson tweeted this message: “My father’s health is not good, but ‘dying’ is a harsh word chosen by headline writers, not me. For however long he has left, my mother, siblings, and relatives want to be with him, without hindrance.” The irony is the vigil marks the ninth anniversary of “King of Pop” Michael “Joseph” Jackson’s death, June 25, 2009.
THEATER
“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” brings the music of iconic disco diva Donna Summer to Broadway. The musical includes more than 20 well-known Summer hits. Starring Tony Award winner La Chanze, Anana Dubose and newcomer Storm Lever, who portray three different phases of Summer’s life and career. Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. Call 212-379-0370 or visit luntfontannetheatre.tickets.com/.
“Looking Through the Stained Glass Window” is a one-woman play by Evie Rhodes, acclaimed Black woman novelist turned playwright-director. The production is about trauma, AIDS and the rise of hip-hop. Playroom Theater, 151 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y., between Eighth Avenue and Broadway, June 29 to July 1. Showtime 7:30 p.m. Visit rhodesenterprise @ventbrite.com.
“On Kentucky Ave.,” created by Jeree Wade, written by Adam Wade and Ty Stephens and directed by Lee Summers, is a celebration of Atlantic City’s famed “Club Harlem.” July 12 to July 28 at Aaron Davis Hall, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Ave., at West 135th Street and Convent Ave., New York, N.Y. Visit citycollegecenterforthearts.org.
From the creators of “Mama I Want to Sing,” Vy Higginsen’s Mama Foundation for the Arts proudly announces the brand-new 30th anniversary production of their acclaimed musical, “Let the Music Play…Gospel!” Dempsey Theater in Harlem,127 W. 127th St., between Lenox and Seventh avenues. Tickets are available by calling 212-280-1045 or through OvationTix at Mamafoundation.org. For more information, please visit mamafoundation.org.
“Chicago,” the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical, is celebrating its 21st anniversary on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre, 219 W.49th St., New York, N.Y. For show information and tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com.
“Little Rock,” written and directed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj. History called it heroism. They called it high school. The riveting true story of the Little Rock Nine, the first Black students to attend their city’s formerly segregated Little Rock Central High School three years after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Limited run through Sept. 8, 2018, at the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, 18 Bleecker St., New York, N.Y. Visit littlerockplay.com or sheencenter.org.
JD Lawrence’s “Harriet, Rosa & Me” is a thought-provoking, inspiring and witty theatrical presentation written and directed by the NAACP Legacy Award recipient, 8 p.m. at Paramount Hudson Valley Theater,1008 Brown St., Peekskill, N.Y. Tickets are available at the door and on the website http://paramounthudsonvalley.com/events/black-girls.
MUSIC
SummerStage presents Raheem Devaughn and DJ Boogie Blind, Friday, June 29, 2018, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Talib Kweli and Oshun, Saturday, June 30, 2018, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Melanie Fiona and DJ Moma, Sunday, July 1, 2018, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Betsy Head Park, Dumont Avenue and Strauss St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Visit cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/.
Blue Note Jazz Festival at Sony Hall, 235 W. 46th Street, New York, N.Y. For information on the full artist lineup, call 212-997-5123 or visit www.sonyhall.com.
“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” 20th Anniversary Tour, Sunday, July 15, at 6 p.m., Northwell Health Jones Beach Theater, 895 Bay Parkway, Wantagh, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Janelle Monae—Dirty Computer Tour, Wednesday, July 18, at 8 p.m., Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue and 32nd Street, New York, N.Y. For information, visitticketmaster.com.
The Smooth Cruise sets sail with Russell Tomkins Jr. and the New Stylistics, along with The Delfonics, Friday, July 20, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Hornblower Infinity Pier 40, West Houston Street at West Side Highway, New York, N.Y. For information, visit ticketweb.com.
COMEDY
Sinbad, Friday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., Saturday, July 21, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 22, at 7 p.m., Nyack Levity Live, 4210 Palisades Center Dr. A-401, West Nyack, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Kevin Hart: The Irresponsible Tour, Saturday, July 28, at 7 p.m., Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, N.J. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
COMMUNITY
The 47th annual International African Arts Festival is back! Celebrating Dekawowo (Solidarity) Brooklyn’s most beloved dedication of African culture and family, saluting Winne Mandela, Hugh Masekela, Dara Iman and Dr. Sam., June 30 to July 4, 2018. African marketplace, family friendly African world music from throughout the Diaspora, all day children’s activities and play zone. First annual African World Documentary Film Festival, family friendly live performances and cultural entertainment, youth talent search, poetry, spoken word show, fashion show, African dance workshops, natural Black hair showcase, health fair for all ages, chess tournament, martial arts exhibitions and the annual IAA Festival Community Parade. For more information and program updates, please call (718) 638-6701 or visit iaafestival.org.
The Rev. Herbert Daughtry’s House of the Lord Church invites you to the 40th anniversary of the Black United Front, Saturday, July 7, from 2 p.m. 5 p.m. at the House of the Lord Church, 415 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn N.Y. Call 718-596-1991 or visit www.herberdaughtryglobalministries.com.
Pastor A.R. Bernard/Christian Cultural Center presents a CCC Family Reunion, “SummerFest18.” Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Secure your spot at www.cccinfo.org/summerfest. The deadline is approaching.
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 call 212-592-3279.