Greetings! “The State Against Mandela & The Others” lights up the IFC Center in Manhattan on Wed., Feb.19, for a special one-week run during Black History Month. Feb. 11 marks the 30th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison after serving 27 years for his work in the fight against Apartheid in South Africa. The IFC Center is located at 323 Sixth Avenue, Manhattan. For tickets, call: 212-924-7771. For information on showtimes, and tickets, please visit: www.ifccenter.com
Los Angeles will host a public memorial Feb. 24 at Staples Center for Kobe Bryant and the eight others killed last month in a helicopter crash.
THEATER
Roundabout Theatre Co. presents “A Soldier’s Play” Charles Fuller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece bursts onto Broadway for the first time, directed by Tony award winner Kenny Leon (“A Raisin in the Sun”), starring three-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier and two-time Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, now through Mar. 15, American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St. (btw. 7th and 8th Aves), Manhattan. For tix: 212-719-1300 or visit: www.roundabout theatre.org/get-tickets/2019-2020-season/a-soldiers-play/.
“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” written by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th St, Manhattan. The ‘Queen of Rock n Roll,’ in performances now; Tony award and Olivier award nominee Adrienne Warren (“Shuffle Along”) is cast in the title role, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Tina at select performances Daniel J. Watts as Ike Turner. For information, visit: www.ticketmaster.com/lunt-fontanne-theatre-tickets-new-york/venue/24583.
“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. Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St., Manhattan. For information, call: 844-379-0370 or visit: www.secureboxoffice.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.
“Sista’s: The Musical” at St. Luke’s Theatre every Sat-Sun, 4:30 pm. St. Luke’s Theatre is located at 308 W. 46th St. in Manhattan.
David Lamb, author of the hit play and book “Platanos y Collard Greens” presents his new hilarious new musical play “The Best Things in Life.” A bonafide music superstar sells out to have it all, loses his name & fame, but ups his game to win back the girl of his dreams and the best things in life. Valentines weekend, Sat. Feb.15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Improv Asylum theater on 26th St., Manhattan. Hosted by Imhotep Gary Byrd. For tickets visit: www.theBestLaughs.com.
MUSIC
Harlem Gospel Choir, every Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at Sony Hall, 235 W. 46th St., Manhattan. For information, visit: ticketmaster.com
Boyz II Men, Thurs., Feb. 13, 8 p.m., State Theatre-NJ, New Brunswick, N.J. For information, visit: www.stnj.org
The Bowery Presents: The Raphael Saadiq-Jimmy Lee Tour, Jamila Woods, DJ Duggz, Thurs., Feb. 13, 8 p.m., Terminal 5, Manhattan, N.Y.
Brian McKnight, Thurs. Feb. 13, 8 p.m., Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, N.J. For information, visit: www.bergenpac.org/events-tickets/box-office.
Don’t miss Peabo Bryson with special guest Regina Belle for a special Valentine’s Day concert. Together, Bryson and Belle’s 1992 duet “A Whole New World” from Disney’s “Aladdin” remains the only song from a Disney animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Enjoy an evening of love songs including “Tonight I Celebrate My Love,” “Without You,” “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” “Beauty and The Beast,” “Baby Come to Me,” “Make it Like it Was,” and more! Friday Feb. 14 at St. George Theater, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island, NY 10301. For tickets: 718-442-2900 or get tickets at www.Ticketmaster.com
Ms. Lauryn Hill, Fri, Feb 14, 7 p.m., The Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St., Montclair, N.J.
The GMA Dove Awards honors outstanding achievements and excellence in Christian and Gospel music. Awards are presented to individuals in a variety of diverse musical inspirational music categories. Featuring: Donnie Mclurkin, Hezekiah Walker, among others. Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at Carnegie Hall, 57th St. and 7th Ave., Manhattan. For information, call: 212-247-7800 or visit: www.carnegiehall.org
FILM
“Just Mercy” starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. World-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson tells his story of fighting for the freedom of a condemned death row prisoner. Check theater listings. (Note: This movie has earned an A+––a perfect score––with CinemaScore moviegoers.)
“DrumFolk: Step Africa” 3 weeks only! Feb. 28-Mar.15 at the New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Manhattan. For information, call: 646-223 3010 or visit: www.newvictory.org.
COMEDY
Valentine’s All Star Comedy Jam: Bill Bellamy, Luenell & Don DC Curry in Newark, New Jersey at New Jersey Performing Arts Center–Prudential Hall on Sat. Feb. 15, 2020. New Jersey Performing Arts Center–Prudential Hall is located at One Center St. in Newark, N.J.
COMMUNITY
ASALH, the Association for the study of African American History’s new theme for 2020 is “African Americans & The Vote.” Visit: www.asaalh.org
Schomburg Center presents “Malcolm X Remembered’ Fri. Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. Curated from the Schomburg archives, this pop-up exhibition features handwritten notes, rarely seen photos and historic papers from the iconic civil-human rights leader. Attendees are invited to take part in an oral history project, sharing how Malcolm X’s words have made an impact on your life. First come, first serve.
The late Dred Scott Keyes, WBAI’s longtime, award-winning engineer and programmer, is remembered with a series of re-broadcasts of “Cutting Edge” on Wednesdays at 9 p.m.––in his usual spot. Listen at 99.5FM or at: www.wbai.org/listen-live/. Program archives are at: www. reswbai.org/archive/.
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 119AM. 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 7 p.m. to 9 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.