Greetings! The classic Aretha Franklin film “Amazing Grace” opened at the DOC-NYC Film Festival at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) to a highly anticipating, enthusiastic audience. The documentary film is in national release after a 46-year burial during which it has slept. It has risen to be called by some critics the finest music documentary ever made. The album, recorded at the New Temple Missionary Church in Watts, Los Angeles, with gospel great the Rev. James Cleveland as musical director, remains the bestselling gospel recording ever made and Franklin’s biggest selling album. “Amazing Grace” is set to play at the Laemmle Monica Film Center in Los Angeles from Nov. 20 to Nov. 27, followed by a one-week run at Film Forum here in New York City from Dec. 7 to Dec. 14.The film release is in contention for an Oscar nomination
Meanwhile, pop-soul diva Dionne Warwick, “Queen of Bacharach,” had Australia in a trance on a recent “Greatest Hits” tour in which the 77-year-old living legend and superstar was quoted by one national newspaper in Sydney as “teaching love through song.” Warwick is touring with her family, including son David Elliot and granddaughter Cheyenne Elliott, who join her onstage. Elliott plays the drums in her band and her granddaughter sings some duets. The song, “Love Will Find a Way” was co-written by David Elliot and originally recorded by Warwick and niece Whitney Houston. (see “EXHIBITIONS”)
THEATER
The 46th annual Vivian Robinson Audelco Awards, “The Viv,” for Excellence in Black Theater. “A Tribute to Amazing Grace,” Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St. , New N.Y. Monday, Nov. 19, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz VIP after-party at 10 p.m. at The 75 Club, 75 Murray St., New York, N.Y. (between Greenwich Street and West Broadway), featuring Patience Higgins and the Sugar Hill Quartet. For more information, call 212- 220-1460 or visit audelco.org.
“American Son,” a gripping tale about who we are as a nation and how we deal with family relationships, love, loss and identity. Starring Kerry Washington (“Scandal,” “Race”) and Steven Pasquale. Directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (“A Raisin in the Sun,” “Fences”) Marking the Broadway debut of playwright Christopher Demos-Brown. Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St. between Seventh and Eighth avenue. Show runs 90 minutes with no intermission. Phone 212-239-6200 or visit www.americanson.com or telecharge.com.
“King Kong.” He’s 20 feet tall and weighs 2,000 pounds. He’s monstrous and moving. And he is on Broadway now in a $35 million musical that has been in development for nearly a decade. Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, New York, N,Y. Phone 844-379-0370 or visit www.ticketoffices.com.
“Once on This Island.” A fearless peasant girl takes a remarkable life journey for love. Circle in the Square Theatre, 235 W. 50th Street, New York, N.Y. Tony Award winner. For more information, call 800-447-7400 or visit onceonthisisland.com.
EXHIBITIONS
“Whitney,” a major musical exhibition presented by the Grammy Museum Experience, Prudential Center, 165 Maple St., Newark, N.J. Visit GrammyMuseumExp.org.
“Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow,” presented by the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library through March 3, 2019.Visit nyhistory.org/black citizenship.
MUSIC
“Amateur Night at the Apollo,” every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. World famous Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St., Harlem, N.Y. For information, visit apollotheater.org.
Mary Wilson (formerly of the Supremes) “Like You’ve Never Heard Her Before,” Café Carlyle. The Carlyle Hotel, 35 E.76th St., Monday, Nov. 20, and Nov.21 and Nov. 23 and Nov. 24. For reservations, call 212-744-1600.
R&B Holiday Bash, featuring Keith Sweat and more! Saturday, Nov. 24, at 8 p.m., Kupferberg Center for the Arts, 153-49 61st Rd, Flushing, N.Y. For information, call 800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster.com.
Ja Rule, Saturday, Nov. 24, at 8 p.m., Sony Hall, 235 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-5123 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly, with special guest Raheem Devaughn, Sunday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m., New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, N.J. For information, call 800-854- 2196 or visit njpac.org.
“John Legend: A Legendary Christmas,” Monday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m., Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y., For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
TV-FILM
Netflix presents “Quincy,” a new documentary (streaming now) written and directed by his actress daughter, Rashida Jones, and documentarian Alan Hicks. Check listings.
Netflix presents “Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark,” a testimony on the life of a musical legend and “beacon of hope” to Black people across 1950s America. The late Maria Cole opens her heart to tell of the man she loved and the life they shared. Also features Cole family mementos, letters and footage from newly released archive. Check listings.
COMMUNITY
Cultural Caravan TV presents Dr. Patricia Newton (Nana Dr. Akosua Akyaa, renowned cultural neuro-psychiatrist and author. Topic: “Empowering Our Children and Families to Thrive in the Age of Confusion and Corruption.” Special cultural entertainment, music, folklore, poetry and performance by Atiba Kwabena Wilson. Saturday, Nov.18 from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at CEMOTAP Center, 135-05 Rockaway Blvd. S. Ozone Park, N.Y. Free admission .Call 347-907-0629 for additional information.
Dr. Tyrene Wright and Professor Basir Mchawi tackle reparations for African-Americans, under the title, “Reparations Yes Or No.” They will bring critical information on where the movement is today. The forum will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov.24 at CEMOTAP Center, 135-05 Rockaway Blvd. S. Ozone Park, N.Y. Free admission. Call 347-907- 0629 for additional information.
Live Nation presents “Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama” at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Dec.1 and Dec. 19, 2018.Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
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’s “Beat Experience” is heard 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.
