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’
Arts and Entertainment
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
2014 Black & White Ball brings in $307,000 in proceeds to support Milwaukee Urban League programs
The 2014 Black and White Ball, held on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee proved to be another successful fundraiser for the Milwaukee Urban League. This year, the event raised more than $307,000 and included a special appeal to provide laptop computers for high achieving high school students. Money raised during this signature annual … [Read more...] about 2014 Black & White Ball brings in $307,000 in proceeds to support Milwaukee Urban League programs
Marvel Comics’ new Captain America will be African American Is new Captain America an answer to the call to include more minority characters in comics, or just a well timed publicity stunt to sell books?
By William S. Gooden Special for the Milwaukee Times On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, Marvel Comics chief creative officer Joe Quesada appeared on The Colbert Report for a major announcement regarding one of the company’s flagship characters, Captain America. Original Captain America, Steve Rogers will be hanging up his cowl after having his super serum sucked out of his body, … [Read more...] about Marvel Comics’ new Captain America will be African American Is new Captain America an answer to the call to include more minority characters in comics, or just a well timed publicity stunt to sell books?
Gallery Night in Bronzeville showcased African and African American satin dolls
Handcrafted African and African American satin dolls were featured in the Bronzeville District during Gallery Night at King Drive Commons Gallery & Studio, 2775 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. The event took place on Friday, July 25, 2014. The host of Gallery Night was the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp. The exhibit, held in memory of Dolores Leftridge, … [Read more...] about Gallery Night in Bronzeville showcased African and African American satin dolls