The Music
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars
Fri., May 3, 8:30 pm • Festival of Nations, Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 175 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul, FestivalofNations.com • The musicians who form Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars were forced to leave at various times after violent rebel attacks. Soon, Ruben Koroma and his wife Grace joined other musicians in the Kalia refugee camp to entertain their fellow refugees, and the group was born. They are now one of Africa’s top touring and recording bands • Concert tickets are included with Friday’s regular Festival of Nations admission.
Secret Stash Soul Revue: Sonny Knight, The Valdons, Maurice Jacox, Chastity Brown
Fri., May 3, 8 pm • Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com • For two nights, the Secret Stash Soul Revue will be returning to the stage for another look back into the Twin Cities Funk & Soul music.
A Tribute to Ray Charles
Sun. May 5, 3 pm • The Capri Theater 2027 W. Broadway, Mpls. www.thecapribigband.com • Featuring Big John Dickerson and Mari Harris performing Ray Charles classics like “Georgia”, “Hit the Road Jack”, “Busted” and more • Order tickets at www.capritheater.org or $10 at the door.
Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires
Tue. May 7, 8 pm • Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave S., Mpls., 612-338-2674 or www.thecedar.org • Commonly referred to as “The Screaming Eagle of Soul”, Bradley celebrates the feel of funk and soul music from the 1960s and 1970s • With Paul & the Tall Trees.
Andre Nickatina
Thurs. May 9, 7:30 pm • Fine Line Music Cafe • (612) 338-8100 or www.finelinemusic.com • San Francisco hip artist Andre Nickatina has his finger on the pulse of what is raw, uncut and capable of capturing the mind and ears of listeners. • With Roach Gigz, Mumbls, Toki Wright & St. Paul Slim 8 • 18+ show.
Chicago Afrobeat Project
Fri. May 10, 10 pm • First Avenue & 7th St. Entry (in the Entry), 701 N. 1st Ave., Mpls., 612-338-8388 or first-avenue.com • The seven-14 person ensemble energizes the classic afrobeat influences of juju, highlife, American funk, and afro-Cuban music with a formative infusion of experimental jazz and rock elements that thrive in the Chicago music scene. • 18+ show.
The Screen
Reel Talk! 2013: Killer of Sheep
Monday, May 20, 7:00 pm • Penumbra Theatre • 270 N Kent St., St Paul, MN • 651- 224-3180 or www.penumbratheatre.org • Deemed one of the “100 Essential Films” of all time by the National Society of Film Critics, Killer of Sheep examines Watts in the 1970s — a black ghetto of Los Angeles — through the eyes of Stan, a sensitive dreamer who is growing detached and numb from the psychic toll of working at a slaughterhouse.
The Stage
You Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone
Sat. May 11, 6:30 PM • Greater Friendship Missionary Church, 2600 E. 38th Street Mpls., 612-827-7928 • You Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone is a play that depicts a young teenage mother who is raised by her Grandmother, being taught the important lesson of motherhood.
Stick Fly
Through May 19 • Park Square Theatre, Historic Hamm Building, 408 St. Peter St., Suite 110, St. Paul, 651-291-7005 or www.parksquaretheatre.org • A relaxing weekend on Martha’s Vineyard … until the baggage got unpacked. Two sons of a financially privileged African American family bring their girlfriends home to meet their parents, only to find that Dad is the only one in residence. As family secrets unravel and sibling rivalries flare, class distinctions rise to the surface…
Tracy Morgan: Excuse My French
Sat., May 4, 8 pm • Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-339-7007 or www.hennepintheatredistrict.org • Back in town after a “shock and awe” performance at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center in March, downtown Mpls. seems a little more appropriate for Mr. Morgan’s ribald sense of humor!
Send all Entertainment Spot briefs abuchanan@spokesman-recorder.com, or call 612-827-4021.
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