Epic Event Center 110 N. 5th St., Mpls., 612-332-3742 or www.epicmpls.com Sun., Jun. 19, 10 pm: Musiq Soulchild Tickets are $25 in advance. Standing VIP is $40 and seated VIP is $60 in advance. This is an ages-21+ event. Thurs., Jun. 30, 10 pm: Young Jeezy Tickets are $30 in advance; VIP is $50 in […]
Arts + Culture
A space for local and national arts and entertainment stories, with an emphasis on stories pertaining to the African American experience.
Book part of movement to stop sexual harassment, violence in schools
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Sexual harassment unfortunately has become common at every state of education and considered a rite of passage for young people. Students are targeted due to their race, national origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation in schools from coast to coast, says Girls for Gender Equity (GGE), a New York-based […]
Pam Grier: Movie legend is more than a ‘strong Black figure’
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer While in the Twin Cities recently, actress Pam Grier was asked did she ever imagine her iconic impact. “I didn’t have a crystal ball,” responded Grier, who was the first Black woman to make the cover of Ms. Magazine (August 1975), named as one of the “100 Most Fascinating Women […]
This week’s spotlights June 9-15
Artists’ Quarter Jazz Club 408 St Peter St. St. Paul, 651-292-1359 or www.artistquarter.com Fri.-Sat., Jun. 10-11, 9 pm: Eric Kamau Gravatt & Source Code Tickets are $12. Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave., Mpls., 612-338-6425 or www.cabooze.com Sat., June 11, 9 pm: Naughty by Nature, with Carnage and Divine Collection Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 […]
Pam Grier: Movie icon recalls ups and downs of over four decades in Hollywood
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Initially her goal was to make movies, but instead Pam Grier became an icon by starring in them. “I was very reticent about being an actor,” she explained, “because you act, then you are unemployed, then you act [again]. And it’s subjective: You’re hired by your looks and height. I’m […]
This week’s spotlights! June 2-8
State Theatre 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-373-5665 or www.hennepintheatredistrict.org Sun., June 12: “Northside: A Twin Cities Community Benefit” Featuring Robert Robinson, Soul Asylum, the Sounds of Blackness, Larry Long, Billy McLaughlin and Sara Renner Proceeds will go to The Minneapolis Foundation, which has set up a North Minneapolis Recovery Fund. Concert time and ticket information […]
Former judge recounts sordid sexual history with Clarence Thomas
D.C. Unmasked & Undressed is a memoir. The story of my life includes events, characters and insights related to my miserable childhood, my legal career, and my varied sexual adventures. It can be summarized as: Girl from dysfunctional family meets boy from same… I worked hard and played hard, too. Along the way, and for […]
This week’s spotlights May 26-June 1
• Bunker’s Music Bar & Grill 761 Washington Ave. N., Mpls., 612-338-8188 or www.bunkersmusic.com Fri., May 27, 9:30 pm: International Reggae Allstars Cover is $7. Sat., May 28, 9:30 pm: The Maxx with special guest London Taylor Cover is $7. Tues., May 31, 9:30 pm: Jay Bee and The Routine Cover is $5. • Wilson […]
This Week’s Spotlights
• Jumping the Broom Various metro-area theaters Two families from divergent socioeconomic backgrounds clash at a weekend wedding at Martha’s Vineyard. Starring Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Laz Alonso and Paula Patton. • Seven Ultralounge 700 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-238-7777 or www.7mpls.com Sun., May 22, 5:30-9 pm: Timotha Lanae The RED Experience CD release concert Featuring […]
Birthday brings back music memories
I’m about to celebrate a birthday at the end of the month. As I take this moment to reflect on my musical journey and this column, I can say that I think I’m a better person. No, I know that I’m a better person. I’ve grown and evolved in ways that I never imagined. And […]
Mighty Clouds of Joy turned jazz club into church
The Mighty Clouds of Joy performed at the Dakota April 13-14, 2011, showcasing their classic old-school gospel sound.
This week’s spotlights May 12-18
Guthrie Theater Dowling Studio, 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-377-2224 or www.guthrietheater.org May 12 — Jun. 5: In the Red and Brown Water A high school track star hopes to use her speed as a ticket out of the Louisiana bayou, but her decision to defer an athletic scholarship to care for her ailing mother […]
Beyond the Steps: Alvin Ailey dancers step out in new film
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Award-winning filmmaker Phil Bertelsen’s Beyond the Steps: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater provides a rare glimpse into the fascinating world of modern dance by one of America’s oldest modern dance companies. Judith Jamison’s 2004 collaboration with Rennie Harris and Robert Battle entitled Love Stories, a three-part production featuring the music […]
This week’s Spotlights
Fine Line Music Cafe 318 First Ave. N., Mpls., 612-338-8100 or www.finelinemusic.com Fri., May 6, 8 pm: CunninLynguists, with Homeboy Sandman Tickets are $14. This is an ages-18+ event. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 345 Washington St., St. Paul, 651-224-4222 or www.ordway.org Fri., May 6, 7:30 pm: TU Dance world premiere: “With Love” Tickets […]
Vocal virtuoso Rachelle Ferrell dazzles Dakota with two shows
By James L. Stroud, Jr. Contributing Writer Rachelle Ferrell returned to the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis in March for two performances. Ferrell is a singer, composer, writer, arranger, and musician who has a six-octave range. Ferrell sings without effort in the “whistle register,” just like the late Minnie Riperton. She studied voice, piano and […]
This week’s spotlights
Robert’s 2400 County Road H2, Mounds View, 763-432-9696 or http://robertsoff10.com Fri., May 6, 10 pm (doors open at 8 pm): Zapp Band With DJ Stevie Ray spinning ’80s R&B Tickets are $29 in advance and $34 at the door. This is an ages-18+ event. Southern Theater 1420 Washington Ave. S., Mpls., 612-340-1725 or www.southerntheater.org Sat., […]
To Kill a Mockingbird: Play shows limitations of famed novel
ARTS, NO CHASER By Dwight Hobbes At Park Square Theatre, the historic To Kill a Mockingbird is distilled from Harper Lee’s richly dramatic novel to Christopher Sergel’s social studies lesson-cum-serviceable play. Lee crafted a fluid, character-fueled, image-rich saga of one man’s courage against cowardly mob rule. In 1935 Alabama, it falls to attorney and atypically […]
New jazz ‘distractions’ and old vinyl classics
Here’s a question I get often enough: “What are you listening to?” What I say may come as a surprise. Usually I listen to a mix of a lot of different things. Not just jazz. Lately, I’ve found myself listening to music that I grew up on, music I may not have paid enough attention […]
This Week’s Spotlights
First Avenue & 7th Street Entry 701 1st Ave. N., Mpls., 612-332-1775 or www.first-avenue.com Sat., Apr. 23, 6 pm & Sun., Apr. 24, 7:30 pm: TV on the Radio, with Glasser Tickets are $21 in advance and $21 at the door. This is an ages-18+ event. Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls., 612-338-2674 […]
CBS soap opera a mainstay for African American actors
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Sofia Dupre arrives in town to work for the local billionaire. Almost immediately after her arrival, she gets involved with a handsome gent. That encounter didn’t work out, but she soon gets smitten instead with the man’s brother, and they both fall in love. While planning the wedding, the soon-to-be […]
