Greetings! Our GBE Women’s HerStory Month opens up March 2019 with an encore announcement fit for a Queen. “The Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, will be honored with a star-studded recorded tribute concert: “Aretha: A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul” on CBS television, Sunday, March 10. Superstar performers from Patti Labelle, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson (set to play Aretha in the biopic: “Respect”) and many more, including childhood friend, Motown superstar Smokey Robinson, and Celine Dion are included in the special tribute recorded in January 2019 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Several family members attended the tribute which was hosted by actor/filmmaker Tyler Perry and presented by The Recording Academy and record mogul Clive Davis. Aretha Franklin died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76.
Janice Freeman, a former contestant on “The Voice,” died Saturday at the age of 33. She was on Miley Cyrus’ team of the reality singing competition in season 13 in 2017, and made it to the top 11 before she was eliminated. She lived with several chronic illnesses, including Lupus.
THEATER
“Ain’t Too Proud” is the electrifying new musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Five guys-one dream with a sound that would make music history. Written by three time Obie award winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (“Jersey Boys”), and featuring choreography by Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo (“Jersey Boys,” “On Your Feet”), now brings the untold story of this legendary quintet to irresistible life on Broadway. In previews now. Opening night set for March21. Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th St, Manhattan. For more information, call 844-379-0370 or visit www.secureboxoffice.com/
The Billie Holiday Theatre, in partnership with Frank Silvera Writers Workshop, present “50in50: Letters to Our Daughters” the third annual installment of a highly anticipated, and sold-out, theatrical reading event. This year, a new group of 50 women “consider both the world they inherited and the one they’d like to create” featuring Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (“How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “The Women of Brewster Place”) and Pauletta Pearson Washington (“She’s Gotta Have It,” “The Old Settler” and “Autumn at The Billie”). It’s an evening sure to be filled with emotion, unique points-of-view and love. Saturday, March 9, at 3p.m. and 7 p.m. Kumble Theater, 1 University Plaza, Brooklyn. For more information visit thebillieholiday.org and www.eventbrite.com.
The Apollo Theater—Women of the World festival will be presented over four days in various spaces at the iconic cultural theater. The WOW festival runs from March 12-17 and will feature workshops, activities, programming and performances with artists, writers, thinkers, activists, and leaders exploring a variety of issues across cultural, civic and social boundaries with a focus on empowerment and activism. Participants include poet Nikki Giovanni, educator Johnnetta B. Cole, finance expert Suze Orman, musician Alice Smith, White House Correspondent April Ryan, comedian Mugga and others to be announced. WOW Apollo will feature more than a dozen events, many of the events free or low cost. For more information, visit apollotheratre.org
MUSIC
Kool & the Gang, Friday, March 15, 8 p.m.—Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.hardrockhotels.com
Johnny Mathis, Friday, March 15, 8 p.m.—Community Theatre NJ, 100 South St., Morristown, N.J. For more information visit ticketmaster.com.
The Temptations and The Four Tops, Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre, 960 Brush Hollow Rd, Westbury, N.Y. For more information visit ticketmaster.com.
Lionel Richie, Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23, 8 p.m., Etess Arena—Hard Rock, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information call 609-449-1000 or visit atlanticcitynj.com.
Jeffrey Osborne, Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m., Sony Hall, 235 West 46 St., New York, NY 2019. For info, visit sonyhall.com.
The St. George Theatre 89th anniversary Red Carpet Gala and Benefit Concert in Staten Island presents one of the most successful groups of all time, The Mighty O’Jays! Saturday, March 30, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) The O’Jays have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Grammy Hall of Fame. The annual Red Carpet Gala serves as the principal fundraiser for St. George Theatre Restoration Inc. and features a pre-show cocktail reception, prime seating. The Georgie Award presentation, and an after-party in the grand-mezzanine lobbies with open bar, hors d’oeuvres and dance music. The first 12 rows are reserved for gala attendees. For more information regarding the gala including purchasing gala tickets and prime seating, sponsorships and journal ads, please call 718-442-2900 x 504. For reservations visit www.stgeorgetheatre.com.
TV
“American Soul,” BET’s dramatic TV series inspired by the Don Cornelius classic show “Soul Train.” Check listings.
BOOKS
Veteran air traffic controller Priscilla Russell’s shocking and thought-provoking story will bring a new narrative to Black women’s fictional literature. “In Control: On a Wing and a Prayer,” is the first of a two-part series. The book is loosely based on her life story and the struggles and pains of progressing in a male-dominated industry. Visit: www.Authorpriscillarussell.com.
COMMUNITY
The Schomburg Center’s annual Women’s Jazz Festival, in honor of Women’s History Month, features some of the best-known and unsung female performers in jazz today. The 2019 festival is slated for each Monday in March—March 11, 18 and 25. Join us for a “Salute to Women in Bebop” curated by musician, jazz composer, and Obie award winner Diedre L. Murray. Murray has composed original music for Two River Theater’s production of “Oo-Bla-Dee” created by Golden Globe-winning actor and playwright Regina Taylor.
Listen to 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 7 p.m. to 10 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.