Greetings! As we approach press time, prayers are being said around the world for the impending, possible passing of ailing multi-Grammy Award-winning superstar, Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul. Reports from various reputable sources indicate that Franklin is seriously ill and close to making her transition. Franklin (as reported here) canceled planned concerts earlier in the year under doctor’s orders. The 76-year-old global icon of soul music recently announced retirement plans, indicating she would not be performing regularly. With the release of her last album, “A Brand New Me,” her official statement read, “This will be my last year. I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.” The proud grandmother was trying to spend more quality time with her family. Our prayers are with Queen Aretha, an artistic giant whose spirit and talent have set a gold standard of excellence that will perhaps never be equaled.
THEATER
“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.” The Iconic Disco Diva Donna Summer comes to Broadway. The musical includes more than 20 well-known Summer hits. Starring Tony Award winner LaChanze, Anana Dubose and newcomer Storm Lever, who portray three different phases of her life and career. Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. Call 212-379-0370 or visit luntfontannetheatre.tickets.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.
“Class,” by author, playwright, educator, activist, attorney and media commentator Gloria J. Browne-Marshall. It’s life or death when an angry white student confronts his privileged Black professor. A one-night-only staged reading will take place Thursday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 524 W. 59 St., New York, N.Y. For ticket information, call 718-707-1253.
MUSIC
City Parks presents SummerStage and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. Admission is free. For more information, visit cityparksfoundation.org/plan-summerstage-visit/.
Wingate’s series finale will take place Thursday, Aug. 16, with live performances by Wyclef Jean, Slick Rick, Kool Moe Dee, Mr. Cheeks and more surprise artists, as well as music from DJ Scratch. The evening will be co-presented by 107.5 WBLS-FM’s Dr. Bob Lee and Fred “Bugsy” Buggs, with a very special presentation of “Big Daddy Kane’s Salute to Hip-Hop,” celebrating the 45th anniversary of hip-hop music.
All shows are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with gates to the public opening at 6 p.m. All shows are free and subject to change. For more information on the 2018 Wingate Concert Series, visit wingateconcertseries.com.
“Amateur Night at the Apollo,” every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. World famous Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St., Harlem. Featuring WHCR DJs. Visit apollotheater.org.
Anita Baker: Farewell Concert Series, Saturday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m., 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville, Conn. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Gladys Knight and the O’Jays, Friday, Aug. 24, at 8 p.m., Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk, 3052 W. 21st St., Brooklyn, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Smokey Robinson, Friday, Aug. 24, at 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Gladys Knight and the O’Jays, Saturday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m., The Rooftop at Pier 17, 89 South St., New York, N.Y.
Circle of Sisters R&B live show. See Bell Biv Devoe, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike,Tamia, Brandy, Dru Hill, Stokley of Mint Condition and 702. Sept. 30, Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, N.J. Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster or the Prudential Center box office.
KEM, with special guest Marsha Ambrosius, Saturday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m., New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, N.J. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
The Memory Lane Tour, featuring R. Kelly and Tank, Saturday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m., Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue at 32nd Street, New York, N.Y.
Bell Biv DeVoe and Bobby Brown, Friday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m., Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk, 3052 W. 21st Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
FILM
“Whitney,” an in-depth look at the life and music of Whitney Houston. At select theaters.
“BlacKkKlansman,” an incredible true story. A Spike Lee Joint. In theaters Aug. 10. Check listings.
COMMUNITY
Harlem Week 2018—“Women Transforming the World: Past Present and Future.” Subtheme, “The Community Within the Community,” recognizing and celebrating the LGTBQ community.
Economic Development Day. Saluting Women: keynote speaker, White House correspondent April Ryan saluting “Women in Media.” Summer in the City. Family Festival. Uptown Saturday Night. Harlem Havana Kick-off /Afro-Cuban Musical Festival /ImageNation Film Festival. Harlem Summerstage/Jazzmobile. Friday Nights Out/5K Run and Health Walk. Visit harlemweek.com.
The International African Arts Festival (IAAFestival), in conjunction with the National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO), will host a slide show and lecture with Dr. Christopher Williams, entitled, “Africans in China,” Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Restoration Plaza, 1360 Fulton St., Brooklyn, N.Y., at the IAAFestival office, Room 401. Space is limited, so please RSVP. A suggested minimum donation is requested. For more information, call 718-789-3264 or 718-638-6700. Visit www.iaafestival.org.
Tune in to 107.5 WBLS-FM weekly for “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.