Hear Manty Ellis, one of Milwaukee’s great jazz legends, along with some of the best and brightest talents on today’s jazz scene, including Eric Schoor on tenor sax, Billy Johnson on bass, and Victor Campbell on drums. Now re-named the Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts, the Jazz Gallery has been reborn, featuring art exhibitions, jazz and experimental music, urban poetry and … [Read more...] about Manty Ellis and the Jazz Foundation of Milwaukee holds a fundraising concert for the Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts
Arts and Entertainment
“Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga” by Pamela Newkirk
c.2015, Amistad $25.99 / $31.99 Canada 299 pagesThe animals look a little restless. Maybe they’re hungry, bored, or tired of being watched. They seem angry. Observing these creatures caged, it’s easy to believe that wild animals shouldn’t be penned like this – and in the new book “Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga” by Pamela Newkirk, neither should humans. When … [Read more...] about “Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga” by Pamela Newkirk
Meet the first African American woman to be named principal dancer at American Ballet Theater, Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland was fast becoming the most famous ballerina in the United States — making the cover of Time magazine, being profiled by “60 Minutes,” growing into a social media sensation and dancing ballet’s biggest roles on some of its grandest stages. But another role eluded her: She was still not a principal dancer. Until Tuesday, June 30, 2015 when Ms. Copeland became the … [Read more...] about Meet the first African American woman to be named principal dancer at American Ballet Theater, Misty Copeland
Wonder ‘magic’ part of ‘Motown: The Musical’
By Jacquelyn D. Heath Special to The Milwaukee Times Berry Gordy (far left), Mary Wilson (left), Elijah Ahmad Lewis (as Stevie Wonder, center) and Stevie Wonder (right) at Motown: The Musical On Tour Opening night in Detroit, Michigan. To say the word “Motown” conjures up many images – among them, high-energy performances; dazzling costumes; spot-on choreography; … [Read more...] about Wonder ‘magic’ part of ‘Motown: The Musical’
Summerfest 2015 has rhythm, blues, soul and even a rap!
The 2015 season of Summerfest kicked off on Wednesday, June 24, 2015. The opening Saturday featured big and small acts from all genres of music, including big blues acts like Buddy Guy who performed on Saturday, June 27 on the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse stage as well as opened for the Rolling Stones on Tuesday, June 23; smaller acts like the Blind Boys of Alabama performed at … [Read more...] about Summerfest 2015 has rhythm, blues, soul and even a rap!
Wynton Marsalis brings Big Band holiday sounds to Marcus Center
The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts was the venue for the Big Band Holidays: Jazz at Lincoln Center, featuring Wynton Marsalis and Cecil McLorin Salvant, along with the Black Arts Think Tank fundraising kick-off and Artist Meet and Greet on Monday, December 1, 2014 reception in the Bradley Pavilion. The event’s purpose was to assist sustaining the long-term cultural … [Read more...] about Wynton Marsalis brings Big Band holiday sounds to Marcus Center
Milwaukee celebrates Juneteenth Day: Stop the violence is theme of event
One of the marching units in the Juneteenth Parade on June 19, 2014 displayed huge pink signs saying “Stop the Violence,” after a series of gun violence resulting sometimes in deaths and an innocent child being critically wounded on the playground at Clarke Street School and another inside a grocery on W. Hopkins Street. In recent weeks there has been a Clergy Gun Buyback, a … [Read more...] about Milwaukee celebrates Juneteenth Day: Stop the violence is theme of event
Beyonce Knowles tops Forbes 15th Annual Celebrity 100
Beyoncé Knowles (No. 1) topped Forbes’ 15th annual Celebrity 100 ranking of the world’s most powerful celebrities for the first time since she debuted on the list in 2004. LeBron James (No. 2), the NBA’s top player, who just opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat to explore other options, moved up to No. 2 from the 16th spot last year. Dr. Dre (No. 3), who moved up from … [Read more...] about Beyonce Knowles tops Forbes 15th Annual Celebrity 100
“All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom” by Angela Johnson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Tomorrow morning, when you wake up, everything will be changed. Oh, sure, you’ll still be in the same bed with the same sheets and jammies. Your room will be the same room you went to sleep in. Your mom will still be your mom and your dad will still be your dad – but it’ll be a whole new day with new possibilities. As you’ll see in the new book “All Different Now” by Angela … [Read more...] about “All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom” by Angela Johnson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Poet, activist and author, Maya Angelou passes at age 86
Poet, performer and political activist Maya Angelou died on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 after a long illness at her home in Winston-Salem, N.C. She was 86. Born in St. Louis in 1928, Angelou grew up in a segregated society that she worked to change during the civil rights era. Angelou, who refused to speak for much of her childhood, revealed the scars of her past in I Know Why the … [Read more...] about Poet, activist and author, Maya Angelou passes at age 86