America ReFramed, a documentary series that explores America’s ever-changing socio-cultural landscape, premieres two films on the PBS World Channel this month: one looks at gentrification and the other at the life of a longtime San Francisco Bay Area community activist. A New Color — The Art of Being Edythe Boone made its national public television […]
Arts + Culture
A space for local and national arts and entertainment stories, with an emphasis on stories pertaining to the African American experience.
Posted inArts + Culture
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars perform concert for Books for Africa
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars performed live at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, 6 W. 6th Street in St. Paul on February 10 to help raise funds so Books For Africa (BFA) can ship 22,000 school books to Sierra Leone in West Africa. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars was formed in 1997 in the Kalia […]
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Legendary Rance Allen Group still stirring souls after all these years
Their late mother would be proud of Rance Allen and his two brothers — the three oldest of her 12 children. Rance and his brothers Tom and Steve, the Rance Allen Group, are an example of how family togetherness, talent and purpose can create an enduring legacy. “[Our mother] taught us more than anything…to be […]
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BOOK REVIEW: Coretta Scott King memoir, an engrossing and inspiring read
Coretta Scott King’s My Life, My Love, My Legacy is a fascinating historical document, chronicling her personal journey through professional trials, tribulations and, thankfully, triumphs. Highly visible supporting Dr. King, she nonetheless recalls that in 1957, as her husband grew internationally famous, thanks to making the cover of Time, “I had many questions and I was seeking direction about […]
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‘I Am Not Your Negro’ rings powerfully true today
He didn’t live to see today’s America, but James Baldwin (1924-1987) predicted that a-then divided America would continue to exist so long as the country refused to see Black people as Americans. Unlike last year’s 13th by Ava DuVernay that used a myriad of voices to explain the 13th Amendment and its origins and failures since its passage, Baldwin is the lone […]
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10th Annual Art Sled Rally showcases creative minds (photos)
There was just enough snow for the colorful spectacle known as the Art Sled Rally to return for its 10th year in Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis. Showcasing the creativity, humor, and in some cases political leanings of attendees, the event brought together the young and young at heart for a Saturday afternoon of outdoor winter fun. The family-friendly […]
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‘Hidden Figures’ takes top ensemble honor
Denzel, Viola and Mahershala garner individual acting accolades The La La Land juggernaut hit a speed bump at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, when it only took home one trophy, Emma Stone’s for Best Actress in a Leading Role. On an evening dominated by African American entrants, Blacks prevailed in the other three […]
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‘I Am Not Your Negro’ powerfully connects past and present struggles
James Baldwin, the intellectual, civil rights activist and renowned author, left behind some biting and enlightening words about racism and the status of the Black community that are just as relevant today in this age of the Black Lives Matter movement. Baldwin was born in Harlem in 1924. He moved to Paris around 1950, eventually […]
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UMAHH celebrates 25th anniversary of Ice Cube’s ‘It Was a Good Day,’ protests Trump
January 20 is a day that many hip hop lovers remember fondly. Twenty-five years ago on that day, Compton rapper Ice Cube released the classic hip hop song “It Was a Good Day.” Over a sample of “Footsteps In The Dark” by the Isley Brothers, Cube describes a good day as not being harassed by police, not […]
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Nicole Beharie excited to host ninth season of ‘AfroPop’
The award-winning public television show AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange is now in its ninth season on PBS’ WORLD Channel. The new season premiered on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 16, and will air new episodes weekly through February 15. Since 2008, AfroPoP has presented documentaries and shorts that, according to press materials, reveal “fascinating stories on contemporary […]
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2017 Oscar Nominations: Academy embraces diversity
La La Land Record 14 Academy Award Nominations La La Land, Damien Chazelle’s enchanting homage to the Hollywood musical is up for Academy Awards in the Best Picture, Director, Lead Actor (Ryan Gosling), Lead Actress (Emma Stone), Song, Original Screenplay, Original Score and a host of other categories. The Academy also embraced diversity this year, […]
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Q&A with ‘Hidden Figures’ director Theodore Melfi
Imagine being in the running to direct the newest Spiderman film. What kind of script would have to cross your desk to make you drop out of consideration? For me, it would have to be something that moved my soul, told a story that has never been expressed on screen before, and had the potential […]
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From humble beginnings to bright horizons
Twin Cities-based artist Mike DeCole is making moves Humble beginnings may be just a phrase or great marketing ploy for some, but for Mike DeCole it could be the title to his autobiography. DeCole is an up-and-coming R&B artist based in the Twin Cities who has had a successful 2016 and is looking to take […]
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“Hidden Figures” — NASA docu-drama belatedly credits unsung African American mathematicians
All of the astronauts picked by NASA to participate in its maiden manned space programs, Mercury and Gemini, were White males. However, behind the scenes, there was a dedicated team of African American women mathematicians who played a pivotal role in ensuring that they launched and returned safely, whether from orbiting the Earth or a […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Movies
Denzel and Viola co-star in adaptation of Pulitzer prize-winning play
Back in 1987, Fences won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. The August Wilson classic, set in the Pittsburgh in the ’50s, chronicled the day-to-day struggle of a blue collar, African American family. The production was brought back to Broadway in 2010, and it landed the Tony for […]
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FILM REVIEW: ‘Almost Christmas’
Watching this humorous film is like getting a funny greeting card that makes you laugh as it warms your heart. This ode to the joy and angst people feel as their family reconvenes for the certain chaos, gluttony and joy during Christmas is a nice way to start the holiday season. It’s a very entertaining […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
Jeff Lorber and friends thrill at reunion show
By Raymond Jackson Contributing Writer The Dakota Nightclub continues to show why it’s one of the best musical venues in downtown Minneapolis, as it recently brought Jeff Lorber and friends back to the club for what was billed as a reunion show. Lorber was joined by Twin Cities’ own Stokley Williams, lead vocalist and drummer […]
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Papa Lemon history series draws from local author’s family
Twin Cities authors have done well to provide children such fare as Anthony Peyton Porter’s Jump at de Sun biography of Zora Neale Hurston, M. Ann Machen Pritchard‘s Phil the Pill and Friends, and Linda and Nneka Onyilofor’s My Brother Adam. These offerings, educational and entertaining, empower by encouraging, indeed nurturing a sense of self-worth. […]
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MSR Top Five | Ol Skool Ugly Sweater Jam, ‘Black Nativity’ & more!
A snapshot of events around town Black Nativity Come enjoy this Langston Hughes classic, now in its 29th year at Penumbra. Dec. 14-23 | 7:30 pm Penumbra Theatre 141 E. 4th St., St. Paul More info: https://penumbratheatre.org Sonny Knight & the Lakers Twin Cities funk & soul powerhouse Dec. 16-17 | 7 & 9 pm […]
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Paisley Park will mark anniversary of Prince’s death with four-day celebration
It was announced Tuesday, November 28, that Paisley Park will mark the one-year anniversary of Prince’s death with a celebration to honor his legacy. Entitled “Celebration 2017,” the four-day event kicks off April 20, 2017 at Prince’s Paisley Park in Chanhassen. According to the press release, the event will bring together artists who have worked closely […]