Congratulations to Carol Bell, the Chicago Defender’s
executive director of finance (our CFO). She’s been selected to deliver the
keynote address at East-West University’s 29th Convocation Ceremony on June 19
at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park. Bell will speak
“words of wisdom” before some 180 graduates in addition to nearly 1,000 family
members, university personnel, alumni and guests. She will receive E-WU’s distinguished
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in recognition of her “extraordinary
contributions to journalism, business and community service.”
E-WU, a fully accredited, non-denominational, non-profit
and located 816 S. Michigan Ave., in Chicago’s South Loop, is the only private
institution of higher learning in Illinois with a majority African American
student body. More than 80 percent of its approximately 1,050 students are
eligible for maximum federal financial aid and over half of the students are the
first in their family to attend college. E-WU has become an important bridge
from underserved communities to higher education in Chicago. Bell is “in good
company,” as previous commencement speakers have included Mayor Harold
Washington, Margaret Burroughs, Ph.D, former Illinois State University
president Dr. Al Bowman and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
Attn: Jazz Junkies! – Maggie Brown sings centerstage when
the Hyde Park Jazz Society holds its regular gathering this Sunday, 7:30
p.m.-11:30 p.m., at its new home, Club L26 in the South Loop Hotel, 11 W. 26th
St., just west of State Street. Entry to the hotel is through its free parking
lot located on the hotel’s west end. Admission: always only $10; students with
college IDs and children accompanied by an adult, $5; food and bar service will
be available. And June 19 (Dads’ Day), HPJS presents the Curtis Robinson
Quartet.
Ernest Dawkins, one of our town’s premier jazz
saxophonists whose music reflects his extraordinary talent not just as a
musician but a composer as well, plays the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct.,
Wednesday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; $10 cover; $5 parking behind the venue after 6
p.m. Dawkins, who has recorded 11 CDs, is founder and leader of his own group,
New Horizons Ensemble ... And at Symphony Center (in Orchestra Hall) Saturday
and Sunday then June 16-18 there’ll be several concerts featuring Kirk Whalum,
smooth jazz saxman; Bettye
LaVette, R&B soul singer; and the Rebirth Brass Band. Call (312) 294-3000
to reserve your seats.
Be sure to mark you calendars for Sept. 24-25; it’s the
Fifth Annual Hyde Park Jazz Fest, a two-day celebration, this year on Chicago’s
Culture Coast, with some of the best jazz in Chicago – and all for free!
Saturday’s concerts will be performed in the historic neighborhood’s renowned
arts and cultural venues as well as on the James Wagner Main Stage on the
Midway Plaisance (59th Street). Sunday’s programming will all be on the
Midway’s main stage. Also new this year will be an expanded vendor and dining
area. The popular Midnight Jam Session will move to a larger venue, Mandel Hall
on 57th St. (Full details to come soon!)
The Chicago Community Chorus, under the direction of Dr.
Keith Hampton, presents “Many Moods of Music,” a free concert of jazz, show
tunes, opera chorus, R&B and other great songs on Saturday, 2 p.m., at Gary
Comer Youth Center, 7200 S. Ingleside. The diverse, all-volunteer choir of
130-plus voices actively seeks to reflect the diversity of Chicago by the
involvement of singers from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, so says the
Chicago Urban League’s Roderick Hawkins, who is a choir member.
Newsy Names – WVON/AM-1690’s Cliff Kelley (a.k.a. “The
Governor of Talk Radio”) receives the prestigious Vernon C. Jarrett Par Excellence
in Journalism Award on Friday from the Coalition for United Community Action
during its 39th Annual Unity Testimonial Banquet at the Palmer House Hilton.
Last year’s recipient, Chicago Defender President Michael House, makes the
presentation. Also to be cited, Gov. Pat Quinn, who receives Man of the Year
honors. U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-7th, keynotes; Carl L. Latimer, CUCA
president, is dinner chair.
Happy b’day to Craig Gilmore, Clarence Page, Wynona
Redmond, Carl West, Doug Banks, Rev. Reggie Williams, Donna Simpson Leak, Bobby
Wooten, Monica Haslip, Roman Morrow, Andrea Brookins, Oba Wllliam King, Jun
Mhoon, Sylvia Fedrick, Lloyd St. James, Aaron Freeman, Sparkle Stewart, Darryl
Petty, Monica Morrow, Johnny Keyes and Vicky Wooten ... Soulful diva
extraordinaire Patti LaBelle does what she does best on July 16 at The Venue in
Horseshoe Casino in nearby Hammond, Ind.. Tickets: $45-$75. Call (219) 473-6060
... Gov. Pat Quinn, Jim Montgomery, Judith Rice, Robin Beaman, William
Petersen, Les Coney, Woodie King, Gwen Butler, Neal Zuker and Michael Lufrano,
all serving on the honorary host committee, want us to save the date of Oct. 14
for “A Legendary Celebration” marking the 35th anniversary year of Jackie
Taylor’s Black Ensemble Theater. The $200 per ticket gala will be staged at the
InterContinental Hotel. For other anniversary info, call (773) 769-0692.
Curtain Call! – Darlette McAlpin’s Field of Souls,
directed by Runako Jahi, opens Thursday on eta Creative Arts Foundation’s
Mainstage, 76th and South Chicago Avenue, and continues through July 31.
Showtimes: Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. General
admission is $30; all seats on Thursdays are $10, group, senior and student
discounts are available by calling (773) 752-3955. Synopsis: The Dixon family
had a dream for their future that suddenly erupts when Buddy comes marching
home.
Golf Groove – Chicago’s Robin Aikens, pro golfer and
motivational speaker, has joined Miami Heat’s legendary Alonzo Mourning for his
annual “Summer Groove,” July 22-24 in Miami. The event attracts celebrities and
professional athletes from all over the country. The Groove is a three-day
weekend fundraising event that has something for everyone: golf, comedy, a
benefit dinner, youth summit and basketball clinic, sports conference and other
exclusive functions. Now in its 15th year, The Groove has raised more than $7
million for local South Florida programs and initiatives supported by Alonzo
Mourning Charities.
Through hard work, commitment and a positive attitude,
Aikens went from living in Chicago Housing Authority residences, often referred
to as “the projects” to being involved with programs created by Michael Jordan,
Steve Harvey, Magic Johnson, Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade. Aikens, president
and CEO of Robin Aikens Enterprises, an entrepreneur, author, golfer,
violinist, community leader and mother of three, is a true renaissance woman.
While attending last year, Aikens participated in a variety of activities,
sharing her passion for achievement and her blueprint for success.
Aikens has done big celebrity golf clinics for the Chicago
Urban League and Black Enterprise. She’s also been featured in Jet magazine, on
the Steve Harvey Morning Show, the Monique Caradine Show and African American
Golfers Digest that honored her in 2009 as an Outstanding Leader in Golf. Also,
she is founder and executive director of Inner City Youth Development, a
non-profit organization. She’s a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Health Help for Him – WVON/AM 1690 has partnered with
Advocate Trinity Hospital to present “Let’s Get Real” a free day-long men’s
health event at Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon, on Saturday beginning with a 7
a.m. fun walk. Also included: complimentary health screenings (kidney,
prostate, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, pulmonary function and HIV),
health workshops, a “fit or foul” challenge, raffle drawings, a kids corner,
giveaways, food, fun and more. Staff physicians will be on hand to answer
questions. Call (800) 323-8622 or visit www.advocatehealth.com/trinity.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
