The revolutionary funk band Parliament Funkadelic started in a barber shop in New Jersey in 1956. George Clinton and four others formed a doo-wop group and named themselves after a popular cigarette at the time, performing around the East Coast area. Parliament’s breakout hit, “I Wanna Testify” (1967) was recorded and released on a Detroit-based […]
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
Fashions with empowerment potential
Boutique specializes in unique plus-sized looks Fashionable plus-sized women’s clothing at a reasonable price can sometimes be hard to find. But according to Teresa Brown-Rogers, owner of Simply Fabulous One Boutique, her women’s clothing and accessories store has the answers to help solve this puzzle. Located at 1011 West Broadway since January 2016, the boutique […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Finality of Prince’s death comes too soon in Paisley Park tour
Better it should follow the celebration of his work “Uptown,” “Calhoun Square”: the late musician Prince was known for writing songs that spoke of areas around his Twin Cities hometown. But none were more significant than “Paisley Park.” On October 6, Prince’s Chanhassen home was opened for fans to tour. The massive white structure made up […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
PHOTOS | Sheila E. honors Prince’s legacy of giving with Purple Philanthropy benefit concert
Percussionist, singer/songwriter and longtime Prince protégé and musical collaborator, Sheila E., paid homage to Prince and his legacy of charitable giving with the “Purple Philanthropy” concert at Minnesota Orchestra Hall Oct. 23. Sheila’s father, jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo, members of Prince’s family, ex-wife Mayte and other Prince associates, plus young local musicians, joined her on stage to […]
Posted inArts + Culture
MSR Top Five | DMX, Booker T. Jones & more!
A snapshot of events around town Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. A smooth, classic jazz vocalist often compared to crooners like Dean Martin and Nat King Cole Oct. 28 | 7 pm Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. More info: www.dakotacooks.com DMX in concert See veteran rapper DMX live with opening act Baltimore Oct. 28 […]
Posted inArts + Culture
REVIEW | ‘Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise’
Reverential retrospective offers intimate look at the life of late icon Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was born Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri on April 4, 1928 to parents for whom she and her big brother Bailey soon became a burden. When Maya was just three, the siblings were sent alone by train to live […]
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Nate Park talks ‘The Birth of a Nation’
Actor/humanitarian-turned-writer/director Nate Parker first received critical attention for his starring role in The Great Debaters opposite Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker. Parker received an honorary doctorate from Wiley College, the school featured in the fact-based story. More recently, Parker starred in Beyond the Lights opposite Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Minnie Driver, and Danny Glover. He also appeared […]
Posted inMovies
‘Birth of a Nation,’ powerful retelling of Nat Turner’s story, resonates with audience
If you can watch Nate Parker’s Birth of a Nation and not leave the theater affected in some way or another, you just may not be human. “It is very powerful,” declared moviegoer Andra Robinson of Brooklyn Park to the MSR after viewing the film. She attended the September 22 screening of the film at […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Denzel stars in worthy overhaul of classic western
Directed by the legendary Akira Kurosawa in 1954, Seven Samurai was a groundbreaking film which had a profound influence on the evolution of cinema for generations to come. Superficially, that seminal work merely reads like a martial arts epic set in 16th Century Japan. Yet, over the years, it has spawned a cottage industry of […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Bill Murray reflects on his storied career
Second of a two-part story Oscar-nominated actor and St. Paul Saints co-owner Bill Murray spoke with the MSR while in town August 2 for the American Association All-Star Game. Below is the second part of his interview with the MSR. Related content: A chat with actor and Saints co-owner Bill Murray — from baseball to films Bill Murray’s career […]
Posted inArts + Culture
The poetry of Langston Hughes takes spotlight in ‘Warm Dark Dusk’
Warm Dark Dusk, a jazz music and dance production presented by Phyllis Productions that celebrates the poetry of Langston Hughes, is coming to a theater near you. Hughes, as described in the press release, is “one of the essential figures in American literature. His vision of America was as timely today as back in the […]
Posted inTheater
Subversive comedy opens Mixed Blood Theatre’s 2016-17 season
Director reflects on upcoming BARBECUE Thomas W. Jones II, when he’s at work, presently directing BARBECUE at Mixed Blood Theatre, is the proverbial consummate pro, acutely assessing a script, deftly taking actors through their paces, expertly crafting an enjoyable stage experience. Relaxing to get ready for an interview, the man is, as the saying goes, a mess, […]
Posted inArts + Culture
2016 Ivey Awards shines bright light on thriving theater scene
The 2016 Ivey Awards usually attracts a packed house, so this year’s sold-out event was no surprise to those who regularly attend. African Americans were well represented once again during the 12th annual show held at the Historic State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis, September 19. The event was co-hosted by Regina Marie-Williams again, but this […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Photo Galleries, Remembering Prince
PHOTOS/VIDEO | Sheila E. unites with Mpls. mayor, local nonprofit to continue Prince’s philanthropic efforts
Percussionist, singer/songwriter and longtime Prince protégé and musical collaborator, Sheila E., officially announced today her plans for a concert at Minnesota Orchestra Hall to honor Prince and his charitable contributions to the community. The concert entitled “Purple Philanthropy Sheila E. Benefit Concert” scheduled for October 23, will kick off a season of fundraising to carry […]
Posted inMovies
Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall talk ‘When the Bough Breaks’
When the Bough Breaks, the new Screen Gems’ thriller that opened Sept. 9 to an estimate of 14.2 million, hits all the emotional and psychological buttons, said its co-stars. Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall play married couple John and Laura Taylor, each with successful careers. Thus far, they have been unable to have a baby, […]
Posted inRemembering Prince
UPDATED | Prince tribute concert planned for Oct. 13 at Xcel Energy Center
UPDATE: More details were released today about what is being billed as “The Official Prince Tribute Concert” planned by his estate. According to the press release, Stevie Wonder will headline an all-star line up that includes “Christina Aguilera, Chaka Khan, John Mayer, Tori Kelly, Anita Baker, Doug E. Fresh, Luke James, Bilal, Mint Condition along with Prince’s […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Teen tries to retrieve stolen sneakers in gritty inner-city saga
Brandon (Jahking Guillory) saved up for a pricey pair of Air Jordans, only to suffer the utter humiliation of having them stolen right off his feet at gunpoint by a gang of ghetto predators. Thus arrives a moment of truth for the nerdy 15 year old who finds himself stuck at an unpleasant station in life where […]
Posted inLocal & State
PHOTOS | 2016 Selby Avenue Jazz Fest
St. Paul’s 2016 Selby Avenue Jazz Fest, held on September 10, featured jazz artist Kirk Whalum and more.
Posted inArts + Culture
Africa may become the next China
Traditionally, Africans remained offline and uninvolved in the digital world. This has made it virtually impossible for many companies to directly communicate with African markets. Consequently, companies have avoided the continent altogether. With the proliferation of smartphones, Africans have suddenly become accessible via the Internet. With Facebook opening up its first office on the continent […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Awkward African American teen adjusts to Germany in bittersweet coming-of-age dramedy
It’s hard being Morris Gentry (Markees Christmas) just now. The lonely 13 year old is not only mourning the loss of his late mother, but is having a difficult time adjusting to life in Germany. He had to leave his pals and hometown of Richmond behind when his father (Craig Robinson) landed a job in Heidelberg as a […]