Who would ever think of making a movie just about Barack (Parker Sawyers) and Michelle Obama’s (Tika Sumpter) first date? Richard Tanne would, that’s who, and he makes an impressive directorial debut with this inspirational biopic chronicling a very eventful day in the lives of the future president and First Lady. The story unfolds in Chicago during the […]
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
PHOTOS | Charlie Wilson thrills with energetic and stirring show at MN State Fair
Charlie Wilson and special guest Fantasia gave concertgoers their money’s worth at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, Friday August 26. On a day the Minnesota State Fair encouraged attendees to “Unite in Purple” to celebrate the late great Prince, both performers managed to pay homage, while highlighting their own singular gifts. One couldn’t help but think […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Author and political pundit Marc Lamont Hill laments war on America’s vulnerable
Marc Lamont Hill is one of America’s leading intellectual voices. He is currently the host of BET News and VH1 Live, as well as a political contributor on CNN. Marc has received prestigious awards, and holds a Ph.D. with distinction from the University of Pennsylvania and currently serves on the faculty of Morehouse College as […]
Posted inArts + Culture
‘Charlie, Last Name Wilson’ — a legend with plenty more to say
The lead singer of the Gap Band, Charlie Wilson, has experienced many highs and lows in the music industry throughout the years. From having numerous number-one Billboard hits with the Gap Band, to being homeless, overcoming a drug addiction, surviving prostate cancer, rebuilding his solo career, and becoming a number-one best-selling author, Wilson has proven that […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Berlin wasn’t just Jesse Owens’ Olympics
Gymnast Simone Biles. Swimmer Simone Manuel. Shot putter Michelle Carter. All three won gold medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics in sports not typically associated with Black American athletes. Eighty years ago, a grand total of two Black American women athletes, Tidye Pickett and Louise Stokes, both in track and field, traveled to the 1936 […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Film Review: ‘Miss Sharon Jones!’
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings are a Grammy-nominated R&B band from Brooklyn. Their groove is funky like James Brown’s. Jones’ gyrations are as wild and ferocious as Tina Tuner’s. The group’s soul shakes and their lead singer’s indomitable spirit blend into something very special, heartfelt and familial. When Jones is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Unite in Purple to honor Prince at Minnesota State Fair August 26
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds will be bathed in purple August 26 to honor Minnesota’s native son, the late musical legend Prince. Organizers are asking attendees to come together in their best purple attire and Prince gear and enjoy rides and buildings lit up in purple. There will be Prince music, tributes, and covers at various […]
Posted inBooks
Local author aims to uplift and empower with children’s books
The book Esther Bean the Queen of Self Esteem (B.E.A.N. Enterprises LLC) illuminates issues of self-esteem which is of invaluable importance to girls. After all, eventual self-worth begins at childhood. Accordingly, Black women historically have had the core of their existence the matter of sustaining a strong self-image. In her books, author Jacqueline Norwood-Hall, a […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
PHOTOS & VIDEOS | 11th Annual FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl Highlights
The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition’s FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl celebrated its 11th year July 28-30. Billed as the premier arts event in North Minneapolis, the three-day festival saw artists and community members gather for a colorful self-guided tour of various art forms in the West Broadway corridor. Below, videos and photos by Phil […]
Posted inArts + Culture
REVIEW | Lowertown Blues & Funk Festival
A yearly blues festival in the Twin Cities is a great idea. There are several jazz joints and more rock clubs than you can shake a stick at, but not a single place to go on a regular basis and enjoy some good old fashioned, gut bucket, down-in-the-alley original soul music. Having it in Lowertown, […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Obama’s legacy: Are we better off? Dr. Malveaux weighs in
A tip of the chapeau to Dr. Malveaux! Dr. Julianne Malveaux has long been recognized for her progressive and insightful observations. She is a labor economist, noted author, and colorful commentator. Her contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender and their economic impacts are shaping public opinion in 21st Century […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Musician’s lyrical activism can’t be stopped despite government ban
Femi Kuti is an artist and activist to be admired. The premier vocalist, songsmith, sax player and keyboardist renders rich melodies to engage the ear and lyrics that — pulling no punches — prod the mind, heart and soul toward social change. His music, an enchanting mix of African polyrhythm and jazz-tinged pop, brandishes singular style […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Poem | Philando, et al.
A poem by Regina M Brown (Photos by Chris Juhn, except where noted)
Posted inLocal & State
Shed G launches TV talent show pilot
On the evening of June 21 in the New Century Theater, located at 615 Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, a studio filled with close to 200 invitation-only guests joined Shedrick Garrett, who produced and hosted the first of a series of television shows for a pilot program entitled The Shed G Show. Garrett, a.k.a. Shed […]
Posted inMusic
#MPLS: a musical multi-genre gumbo
It was in March of 2013, while presenting songs to music mogul Wyclef Jean, that members of #MPLS discovered how much they liked to work together. From working together on a case-by-case basis, to doing shows around the city as a cover band, group leader Brandon Commodore says one day they just had to ask […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Second generation DJ shares his passion for music
Hooked when he first saw his dad drop a needle on a record Sitting in the Avenue Eatery on West Broadway, second-generation DJ Chuck Chizzle recently offered his treatise on Black music. “Music is the only thing in this world that keeps culture together. It’s the great equalizer,” stated the young man whose 40th birthday […]
Posted inArts + Culture
REVIEW | Benjamin Clementine at Cedar Cultural Center
Singer-songwriter and Mercury Prize winner Benjamin Clementine gave a wholly forgettable performance June 12 at the Cedar Cultural Center. Whether the Mercury Prize, a BBC-sponsored honor, is awarded by jury or some other process, if Clementine is any indication, it should be given away at the bottom of a box of Cracker Jacks. The night […]
Posted inMusic
PHOTOS | Rock the Garden 2016: Fun in the sun at new riverside location
Rock the Garden kicked off the summer at a new location down by the Mississippi River at Boom Island, June 18. Hosted by 89.3 The Current radio station and the Walker Art Center, the new location, combined with the performances, drew a different crowd, including more teenagers. Many boats on the Mississippi docked at the […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Aspiring singer reflects on transformation into YouTube sensation with help of secret admirer/music producer
Born and raised in Chicago, 39-year-old Samantha Montgomery moved to New Orleans in 2006. By day, she works as a caregiver for the elderly and, by night, she fearlessly performs as Princess Shaw online and at local open mics. Inspired by her personal joy and pain from past and present, Princess’ lyrics resonate with honesty […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
Simple livin’ fuels creative spirit of local artist
Up-and-coming independent, Minneapolis artist Princeton Brown has the wisdom of an elder at the ripe age of 23. Seeing the world through a critical lens, Brown seeks the simple things and natural way of life, which he expresses in his music.