By Jacquelyn D. Heath Special to The Milwaukee Times If you were alive and conscious during the decade of the 1960s, you may remember it as a time of relative innocence that built up to radically changing mores. For women, it was a time of coming out front, finding a social and political voice, and being recognized as individuals and as an important demographic group. A … [Read more...] about ‘Beehive’ chronicles changing times through music
Arts and Entertainment
Lena Horne Theatre dedication celebrates the relationship between the late performer and the Nederlander Organization
The Lena Horne Theatre is the latest Broadway house to be renamed for a black artist. On November 1, 2022, the venue, owned by the Nederlander Organization and the current home of “Six,” revealed its new marquee in a dedication ceremony and block party outside the theater on 47th Street. Led by Broadway royalty (LaChanze, Audra Mc- Donald, Tamara Tunie and Vanessa Williams — … [Read more...] about Lena Horne Theatre dedication celebrates the relationship between the late performer and the Nederlander Organization
‘Black Nativity by Langston Hughes’ returns to kick off holiday season in Milwaukee
Black Arts MKE’s beloved holiday musical returns for its seventh year with its biggest and best production to date. Black Nativity by Langston Hughes runs one weekend only – December 8-11, 2022, at the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Center. Set in Milwaukee rather than Bethlehem, this joyous and hopeful re-telling of Hughes’ original 1961 play incorporates poetry, music, … [Read more...] about ‘Black Nativity by Langston Hughes’ returns to kick off holiday season in Milwaukee
‘Unforgettable’ recalls life, career of music icon Nat ‘King’ Cole
' By Jacquelyn D. Heath Special to The Milwaukee Times Between 1940 and the mid-1960’s. there were few recording artists – black or white – who enjoyed a worldwide fan base. There were even fewer who were recognizable simply by the sound of their voice or were on a first-name-only basis with the public. Nat “King” Cole was all of that. The life, career and music … [Read more...] about ‘Unforgettable’ recalls life, career of music icon Nat ‘King’ Cole
‘The Woman King’ slays with overperforming $19-million debut and A+ CinemaScore
Though the box office slump continues, it looks like the worst is over. The weekend’s $48.5-million overall box office is the fourth worst of the year, but it's around a 13 percent increase from last weekend’s $42.3-million, which was the year’s second worst weekend and may turn out to be the season’s weakest. This weekend is the first in September to perform better than the … [Read more...] about ‘The Woman King’ slays with overperforming $19-million debut and A+ CinemaScore
Black women in TV won big at the 2022 Emmys
The Emmys returned to Los Angeles for another year on September 12, 2022, celebrating the best of television over the last year. Some of the biggest names in showbiz were in attendance, from Zendaya to Laverne Cox, RuPaul and Michelle Visage, Lizzo, Murray Bartlett, Jennifer Coolidge and many more. The stars took to the yellow carpet to commemorate another year of … [Read more...] about Black women in TV won big at the 2022 Emmys
Mary Alice, ‘A Different World’ and ‘Sparkle’ actress, dead at 85: ‘A Shoulder We All Stood On’
Mary Alice, the actress best known for her roles in A Different World and Sparkle, has died. She was 85. Alice died on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at her home in Manhattan, a spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed. A cause of death was not provided. The actress's death was also confirmed by "one of her close friends," according to Philip Lewis of HuffPost, who announced the … [Read more...] about Mary Alice, ‘A Different World’ and ‘Sparkle’ actress, dead at 85: ‘A Shoulder We All Stood On’
Nichelle Nichols, trailblazing ‘Star Trek’ actress, dies at 89
Actress and singer Nichelle Nichols, best known for her groundbreaking portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura in "Star Trek: The Original Series," has died at age 89, according to a statement from her son, Kyle Johnson. "Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, … [Read more...] about Nichelle Nichols, trailblazing ‘Star Trek’ actress, dies at 89
The Esquires II perform at Summer Sounds
On Thursday, July 14, 2022, the Uihlein Soccer Park Summer Sounds featured Esquires II, the children of the famous Milwaukee group “Esquires”. The Esquires II performed songs from the Temptations, Aretha Franklin, the Stylistics, the Rolling Stones, and others. The group ended with their family’s #1 Hit Song “Get On Up”. On August 25, 2022, the Esquires II will be … [Read more...] about The Esquires II perform at Summer Sounds
Blues Alright presents the ‘9th Annual Milwaukee Blues Festival’
On Friday April 9, 2022, Blues Alright presented the "9th Annual Milwaukee Blues Festival" at the Miller High Life Theater, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave., featuring various blues acts from Mississippi and Memphis, including Pokey Bear, Lenny Williams, Willie Clayton, Sir Charles, and Bobby Rush. They played to a sold-out crowd and Willie Clayton did a special tribute to Prince. … [Read more...] about Blues Alright presents the ‘9th Annual Milwaukee Blues Festival’