Greetings! The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation announces three days of celebration Oct. 16, 17 & 18 in honor of the organization’s 50th anniversary, including the annual Louis Armstrong Continuum Symposium Concert: “Art Blakey and Louis Armstrong: Jazz Messengers Forever” and the Annual Satchmo Award, to jazz pianist, organist, composer, and arranger Dick Hyman with a special Lifetime Achievement Award to the LAEF board president and NEA Jazz Master Stanley Crouch. Presentations will take place at multiple venues. Visit: www.louisarmstrongfoundation.org
THEATER
“For Colored Girls Who Have Committed Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” Ntozake Shange’s groundbreaking work in American theater returns to the Public Theater for the first time since its 1976 pre-Broadway smash run. The late legendary playwright/poet Ntozake Shange tells the brilliant stories of seven women of color using poetry, song, and movement. With unflinching honesty and humor, each woman voices her survival story in a world shaped by sexism and racism. Directed by Leah C Gardener, choregraphed by Camille A Brown. Running Oct 8 through Nov 17 at the Public Theatre, 425 Lafayette St. (at Astor Place), Manhattan. For more information, call: 212-967.7555 or visit: www.publictheater.org
“Porgy & Bess” One of America’s favorite operas returns to the Met for the first time in nearly 30 years. James Robinson’s stylish production premiered in London in 2018 and transports audiences to Catfish Row on the Charleston waterfront, with the vibrant music, dancing, emotion, and heartbreak of its inhabitants. David Robertson conducts a dynamic cast, featuring the sympathetic duo of Eric Owens and Angel Blue in the title roles and an all-star ensemble that includes Golda Schultz, Latonia Moore, Denyce Graves, Frederick Ballentine, Alfred Walker and Ryan Speedo Green. Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit: www.metopera.org/season/tickets/
“To Kill A Mockingbird” the classic Pulitzer book by Harper Lee, which became a classic movie, is now onstage at the Shubert Theatre, 225 West 44th St, Manhattan. For ticket information, visit: Ticketmaster.com
“American Moor” by Keith Hamilton Cobb is the award-winning new play that takes audiences behind-the-scenes and into the audition room as an African American actor responds to the demands of a white director presuming to better understand Shakespeare’s iconic Black character, Othello. Directed by Kim Weild. Playing now through Oct. 5, 2019. Red Bull Theater at Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce St., Manhattab. For more information call 212-352-3101 or 866-811-4111 and visit: www.redbulltheater.com/
“Hadestown—Where a Song Can Change Your Fate” from the pen of Anaïs Mitchell, winner 8 Tony Awards, Tony winner Andre De Shields, Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 West 48th St., Manhattan. For more information, visit: walterkerrtheatre.com
“The Lion King.” Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., Manhattan. For ticket information, visit: minskofftheatre.box-officetickets.com
“Kinky Boots the Musical.” Al Hirschfield Theatre, 302 W. 45th St, Manhattan. For ticket information, visit: www.kinkybootsthemsuical.com
“Ain’t Too Proud” celebrates The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, written by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau. The Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street, Manhattan. For information, call: 844-379-0370 or visit: www.secureboxoffice.com
MUSIC
The 13th Annual Classic R&B One Day Bus Outing Oct. 5, 2019, featuring live in concert, The Spinners, Midnight Star, Rose Royce, Delfonics, New Birth and Blue Magic. Departing 10 a.m., Boarding 9.30 a.m. for The Golden Corral from 2 locations: Queens USA Diner, 241 03 Merrick Blvd.—contact Bus Capt. Pat (347) 249-5220 and from Boys & Girls HS, 17 Fulton St., Brooklyn—contact Bus Capt. Ollie (347)528-8810. Bus Middle Aisle Seats After Party Hershey, Pa.
Don’t miss an electrifying evening of Classic Motown with smooth-stepping moves and elegant harmonies from two of the music’s most legendary super groups, The Temptations and The Four Tops. Oct.12 at NJPAC, 1 Center Street Newark, NJ. For tickets visit: www.NJPAC.org
COMEDY
Dave Chappelle’s newest Netflix standup special “Sticks and Stones.” Check listings at: Netflix.com
DANCE
The Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre kicks off its five-week season with an Opening Night Gala Benefit Wed. Dec. 4, 2019 at 7 p.m. at New York City Center. The gala features incredible dancers in a one-night-only performance, which will conclude with Alvin Ailey’s timeless Masterpiece “Revelations” performed to live music. All proceeds benefit the creation of new works, scholarships to The Ailey School, and Ailey’s educational programs for children. For more information, visit: alvinailey.org
TV/FILM
The 57th New York Film Festival runs now thru Oct 13. This year’s lineup traverses 17 different countries. The festival has various screening venues. For more information, call 212-875-5232 or visit: filmlinc.orgvisit us
“Godfather of Harlem” reimagines the story of infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned from a decade in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. Original series on Epix, check listings at www.epix.com.
“Hitsville: The Making of Motown” a new documentary featuring Motown co founders-legends, Berry Gordy and Smoky Robinson with Motown greats and vintage footage. Showtime. Check listings. For more information, visit: www.sho.com/titles/ 3470002/hitsville- the-making-of-motown
COMMUNITY
Remember Bahamas Relief: Support the struggle of brothers, sisters and families who were Hurricane Dorian victims and survivors in the Bahamas, please call: 800-224-2627 or visit: www.bahamas.com/relief
CEMOTAP is hosting a special forum Sun. Oct.13 at 2 p.m. “Putting the Principles of the Honorable Marcus Garvey Into Practice in the 21st Century.” The keynote speaker is Dr. Molefi Asante founder of the Temple Univ PhD program in African-American Studies, also Brother Raymond Dugue, high chancellor of U.N.I.A. the organization of the Honorable Marcus Garvey and Sister Betty Dopson, co-founder of CEMOTAP. Admission is free but a free will offering will be taken. All proceeds will go to the Peace Health Center founded by Dr. Shadidi B. Kinsey. For further information or to R.S.V.P. call: 347-907-0629.
Listen to Imhotep Gary Byrd’s “Express Yourself,” Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on WBLS-FM and simulcast over WLIB 1190AM. The full show can also be heard on HD radio at WBLS-HD2 and at WBLS.com, WLIB.com. IGB’s “Radio GBE” is heard Fridays 7p.m. to 9p.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.