Greetings! This year’s Emmy Awards made history with all four guest actor categories going to African-American artists. Comedian-actor Katt Williams won Best Guest Actor in a Comedy for “Atlanta.” Tiffany Haddish won Best Guest Actress in a Comedy for her hosting of “Saturday Night Live.” Samira Wiley won Best Guest Actress in a Drama for “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Ron Cephas Jones won Best Guest Actor in a Drama for “This Is Us.”
“Black Girls Rock” this year was hosted by the legendary Queen Latifah. “Rock” Award honors went to Janet Jackson, Judith Jameson, Mary J. Blige, Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, and nuclear-engineer/STEM advocate, Dr Marina Robinson-Snowden. The event also paid a red-hot tribute to the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, with Ledisi, Stephanie Mills, Yolanda Adams, Jazmine Sullivan and Cynthia Erivo. Our “Forever First Lady” Michelle Obama presented a special message reminding Black women to “rock” their voting power at the polls.
THEATER
“Once on This Island” is the story of a fearless peasant girl who takes a remarkable life journey for love. Circle in the Square Theatre, 235 W. 50th St., New York, N.Y. A Tony award winner. For more information, call 800-447-7400 or visit onceonthisisland.com.
“Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties” introduces five women named Betty who provoke each other to take a look in the mirror and face the people they didn’t know they could be. Featuring Chaunte Wayans of the famed Wayans family. MCC Theater at The Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher St., New York, N.Y. Now through Oct. 7, For information, visit www.mcctheater.org.
“Smokey Joe’s Café,” an all new incarnation of the record-breaking Broadway hit, returns to New York City. Featuring 40 of the greatest soulful songs of the past century. Stage 42, formerly the Little Shubert Theatre, 422 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” brings the iconic disco diva, Donna Summer, 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 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.
MUSIC
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.
Lil Jon (DJ Set), Saturday, Sept. 15, at 11 p.m., Sony Hall, 235 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
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.
“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.
RBRM: Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike, Saturday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m., the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 39 Norwich Westerly Rd., Mashantucket, Conn. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Angelique Kidjo’s Remain in Light/Resistance Revival Chorus closes out SummerStage’s free season. Thursday, Sept. 27, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.) SummerStage, Central Park, 71st Street and East Drive, Rumsey Playfield. Visit cityparksfoundation.org/events.
Ginuwine, Friday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m., Sony Hall, 235 W. 46th Street, New York, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
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.
Diana Ross, Sunday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m., The Rooftop at Pier 17, 89 South St., New York, N.Y. For ticket 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. Check listings.
COMEDY
Kevin Hart: The Irresponsible Tour, Sunday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., Mid-Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Mike Epps, Friday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m., Nyack Levity, 4210 Palisades Center Dr. A-401, West Nyack, N.Y. For information visit, ticketmaster.com.
COMMUNITY
In observance of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, New York City Council Member Andy King is challenging New Yorkers to eat healthy, exercise and drink a gallon of water every day for 30 days during the month of September. Also in September, King will host a “Back to School” rally for students in the 12th Council District, which will focus on healthy living.
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Join the NYC annual Sickle Cell Walk | Central Park, Saturday, Sept. 15, with the Sickle Cell-Thalassemia Patients Network “20th Annual Walk for Education and Awareness,” center row near Naumburg Band shell. Enter at 72nd Street on the east or west side of the park. Registration will start at 9 a.m. Walk will start at 11 a.m. Early registration includes a fee. For more information, visit www.sctpn.net/1viralvoice/event/nyc-annual-sickle-cell-walk/.
Tune in to 107.5 WBLS-FM weekly for Imhotep Gary Byrd’s “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 NextRadio. 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.
