Greetings! “Malcolm X Day” takes place Sunday, May 19. Malcolm X Day is an African-American holiday in honor of the Black Power and human rights leader Malcolm X that is celebrated either May 19 (Malcolm’s birthday), or the third Sunday in the month of May. The commemoration has legal status in the city of Berkeley, California. It is also a proposed holiday in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington, D.C, with numerous calls for it to be celebrated alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday. (See “Community”)
THEATER
“Ain’t Too Proud” is the electrifying new musical celebrating 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. Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street, Manhattan. Now through July 31. For information, call 844-379-0370 or visit: www.secureboxoffice.com.
The World Famous Apollo Theatre, The Baltimore Center Stage and Congo Square Theatre Company in association with Mosaic Theatre Company presents the premier of “Twisted Melodies” a powerful play honoring the artistic legacy and personal struggles of genius vocalist and composer, Donny Hathaway (1945-1979) May 30-June 2, 2019. Performances will be Thurs-Fri-Sat at 8 p.m. with matinee performances at 3 p.m. Sat-Sunday. Tickets are available at the Apollo Theatre Box Office located at 253 West 125th St. in Harlem or call 212-531-5305, and Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or visit: www.tocketmaster.com or: www.apollotheatre.org.
“BLKS,” poet Aziza Barnes’ playwriting debut, paints a picture perfect day in the life of four young women of color in New York City, exploring the joy and anguish of growing up and out. Starring Marié Botha, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Alfie Fuller, Paige Gilbert, Chris Myers and Coral Peña. Robert Wilson MCC Theatre Space/Newman Mills Theatre, 511West 52nd Street, Manhattan. Tuesdays: 7 p.m., Wednesdays: 7 p.m., Thursdays: 7 p.m., Fridays: 8 p.m., Saturdays: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For information, call 646-506-9393 or visit www.mmctheater.org.
“The Day I Became Black” biracial comedian Bill Posley grew up happily identifying as both Black and white. But at age 10, he learned the world does, in fact, judge a book by its color and, even though he’s half white, he’s labeled 100 percent Black. Does a young comedian have to get rid of his whiteness in order to be the color he’s “supposed” to be? Soho Playhouse, 15 Van Dam St., Manhattan. For scheduled shows including “talk back” after the show, phone: 212-691-1555 visit: Boxoffice@sohoplayhouse.com. (Box office hours 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. (Tues-Sun))
MUSIC
“Purple Reign: The Prince Tribute Show” at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood NJ. Friday May 17 at 8 p.m. Call 800-854-2196 or visit: www.centerenglewood.com/bergen/Tickets.
Keith Sweat, Saturday, May 18, at 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY 11590. For ticket information, call 800-854-2196 or visit www.westbury-theatre.com.
Four-time Grammy award winner India Arie brings her “Worthy Tour” to the Beacon Theatre on June 9th. Get your tickets now at Ticketmaster.com.
TV
Netflix presents the Academy Award nominated director Ava Duvernay’s series on The Central Park Five “When They See Us” streaming May 31 (check listings).
COMMUNITY
“The EAST 50th Anniversary Cultural Extravaganza” will be held Saturday, May 18, from 2-7 p.m. at the Historic Masonic Temple, 317 Clermont Avenue, Brooklyn and will feature a dynamic roster of jazz greats. The EAST ALL STARS will round out the ensemble. The day’s festivities will offer face painting by Saeeda Banks, a 28-year veteran participant of the International African Arts Festival, children’s entertainment, an EAST Authors’ Book Mart, vendors, a memorabilia display and a slide show. Advance tickets for adults are available at the IAAF Office 718-638-6700 or Little Sun People Day Care 718-789-7330, both in Restoration Plaza. Youth tickets and children’s tickets will be available at the door. Dinners, desserts and drinks on sale by community vendors. For more information, call 718-638-6700.
The New York Chapter of The National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO) and the Int’l African Arts Festival present the “50th Annual Malcolm X Black Unity Awards” Sunday, May 19 from 3-5 p.m. Skylight Gallery third floor, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St., Brooklyn. Program includes speakers, film awardees to unsung heroes and heroines who have sacrificed so much during their lifetimes to educate, and build unity and empower the global African community. Min donation required. For information, call 718-789-3264 or 718-638-6700 or visit: www.iaafestival.org.
Join a celebration of the life and legacy of Malcolm X in the streets of Harlem! Sunday May 19, 2019, marks the 94th anniversary of the birth of our Black Shining Prince, El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, Malcolm X. All 125th street businesses will SHUT DOWN from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in a commercial moment of silence to honor our hero. Assemble at 12 p.m. at the Harlem State Office Bldg. on the corner of 125th St. and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd in Harlem. Theme: “Harlem to Zimbabwe-End the Sanctions and Ethnic Cleansing of Black People.” For more information contact December 12th Movement at 718-396-1766.
Join the Annual Malcolm X Pilgrimage organized by Professor James Small and his team paying homage to our beloved ancestor Malcolm X. The pilgrimage will travel to Ferncliff cemetery 30 minutes north of New York City. Sunday, May 19, 2019, from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Gathering uptown leaving Sunday morning from the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Bldg. on 125th St. Call Brother Ricardo: 917 -501-4217. Be Early.
Also: Visit The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, 3940 Broadway, Manhattan.
CEMOTAP will host its regular monthly meeting Sat, May 25 from 2 p.m. at CEMOTAP Center, located at 135-05 Rockaway Blvd in South Ozone Park, Queens. Topics will include a discussion of actions to take regarding the banning of Minister Farrakhan from Facebook, film showing and discussion of “Thunder Soul” (about the power of one committed Black teacher). For directions, call 718-322-8454.
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 0 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.