Greetings! The 49th annual African-American Day Parade lit up the Big Apple this weekend. The 2018 theme was “Culture Is Key.” The parade, as always, celebrated in grand style the rich history of Harlem and the ongoing contributions of the African-American Community. Among the grand marshals this year was the brilliant and beautiful Ann Tripp, news director of WLIB/WBLS and the “Steve Harvey Morning Show.” Sister Tripp brought back to life the memory of the famed Grandassa models and the work of Kwame Brathwait and Elombe Brath, honoring their celebration of natural hair and African clothing. Other grand marshals included the legendary Arthur Mitchell of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and journalist-author-historian Cheryl Wills, news anchor of NY1.
THEATER
“Nat: The Life and Times of Nat King Cole,” written by and starring Verlon Brown, directed by Rome Neal and produced by Carolyn Adams, will be performed Thursday, Sept. 20, through Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m., Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. (near 10th Street), New York, N.Y. For further information and reservations, call 212-254-1109
“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
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
“The Predator,” the fourth installment of the sci-fi classic, featuring award-winning actor Sterling K. Brown, follows a group of PTSD-afflicted soldiers who must fight off an invading pair of predators. In theaters now. Check listings.
COMEDY
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
Legal scholar Gloria Brown-Marshall discusses President Trump from a constitutional perspective. Media pundit Playthell Benjamin approaches Trump from a psycho-historical perspective. The program will be moderated by psychiatrist Dr. James McIntosh, author of “The Unauthorized Psychoanalysis of Donald J. Trump.” The program takes place Saturday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m., at CEMOTAP Center, located at 135-05 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park, Queens, N.Y. Admission is free. All African people are invited. For information, call 347-907-0629.
The birthday of saxophone giant John Coltrane is being celebrated Saturday, Sept. 22, in Harlem via the fifth annual John Coltrane Jazz Festival at Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market, 52 W. 116th St. between Fifth Avenue and Lenox Avenue (Malcolm X Boulevard) from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The concert is free to the public and will feature great saxophone artists Bill Saxton, Alvin Flythe and Todd Herbert on tenor saxophones and Dr. John “Satchmo” Mannan on soprano saxophone. For more information, call 212-662-4193 and ask for Rahima.
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. It is also back to school month for most children, and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America wants the public to reflect on the children and the adults whose lives, education and careers have been affected by this disease. For upcoming events and information, visit curesickle.org of scklecellfoundation.org or the Sickle Cell Thallesemia Patients Network at SCTPN.org
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.
