The world premiere of new works by renowned
choreographers, Reggie Wilson and Theo Jamison, highlight This Far by Faith, an
exciting and colorful evening of dance hosted by award-wining Muntu Dance
Theatre of Chicago on July 16 at Harris Theater in Millennium Park. The
spectacular celebration of the human spirit’s resilience is led by Amaniyea
Payne, Muntu’s artistic director. The company performs authentic and
progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and African
American dance, music and folklore.
The dynamic company brings its audiences out of their
seats and into the aisles with its unique synthesis of dance, rhythm and song.
Muntu is highly regarded for its innovative repertory, preserving traditional
African dance while creating new works that build on African, Caribbean and
African American cultural traditions. Its core programs include professional
performances both at home and abroad, comprehensive community arts programs,
classes for the public and professional training for emerging new young
artists.
Adult concert tickets are $25, $35 and $50; seniors and
students, $15; children under 12, $10; concert and gala reception, $175. To get
tickets: call (312) 334-7777; go online at www.harristheaterchicago.org; visit
the box office, 205 E. Randolph; for group rates of six or more, call (773)
241-6083; or call Barbara Pace Moody, (773) 241-6086. Sponsors: JP Morgan
Chase, Boeing, ComEd, NBC Chicago, National Endowment for the Arts, The
Collins-King Family, Sandra and Deven Rand, U.S. Cellular, Blue Cross/Blue
Shield of Illinois, Urban Partnership Bank, Ill. Arts Council and City Arts.
Heartiest Congrats – to a trio of fav-o-rite media pals,
Kathy Chaney, Wendell Hutson and Tim Jackson, who each walked away with a
“first place” award during the Annual Convention of the National Newspaper
Publishers Association (The Black Press) in Chicago last week. Kathy and
Wendell’s reporting honors, the Messenger Awards presented by MillerCoors.
(Kathy also “placed” in a second category) Tim, the Defender’s editorial
cartoonist, received a “first place” Merit Award from the NNPA Foundation “for
best editorial cartoon.” Whoopie!
Hats Off – to Kevin Neilson Givens on receiving the Delta
Institute’s coveted Partner in Change Award “for efforts in increasing the
level of sustainability within Cook County government through energy
efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction and waste reduction initiatives.” Under
his direction, the county’s $12.6 million allocation of federal Energy
Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant money has been used to audit and/or
retrofit numerous residential, commercial and municipal facilities with energy
efficient lighting, HVAC upgrades, windows, waste conversation and renewable
energy technologies. Kevin has bachelor’s degrees in physics and mechanical
engineering and a masters’ degrees in business administration and information
technology. Whoa!
Newsy Names – Abena Joan P. Brown, co-founder, president
and producer of eta Creative Foundation for 40 years until this past March,
will be honored by eta Foundation at a tribute roast and gala on Sept. 10,
celebrating her work in building eta into one of the country’s premiere African
American cultural institutions ... Condolences to a dear, dearer, dearest pal,
Barbara Sims Bell, on the passing of her beloved mom, Marge Sims, who “back in
the day” was co-owner along with her hubby, Melvin, of one of the most popular
night-spots in our town, the Kitty Kat Klub. Services will be July 6 at St.
Mark United Methodist church, 8441 S. St. Lawrence. The prepast breakfast and
wake will start at 10 a.m, followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. ... Congrats to
Glenn Reedus, Chicago Crusader editor and South Suburban News publisher, and
Michelle Thomas, a Cook County deputy public defender in the Forensics
Division. The coo-some twosome are tying the marital knot on Saturday during a
destination wedding ceremony in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, at the elegant
oceanfront Gallows Point Resort adjacent to Cruz Bay
... Happy b’day to Mel Hopson, Lester McCarroll, Glenn
Reedus, Gale Foster Farley, Ann Hinton, Carl Smith, Nate Ward, Joyce Owens,
Cedric McKay, Morgan Proctor, Bill Parrish, Rita Warford, Zondra Hughes, Henry Barefield,
John Ruffinn, Sam Chapman, Harold Kelley, Kathy Pilcher, Homer D. Franklin,
Maria Jossey Owen ... Iris McCain, popular hair stylist, nail technician,
licensed cosmetology educator, keratin specialist and more, now heads Chicago
Hair Taming Services, a natural protein-based, non-chemical, re-conditioner and
salon-quality treatment that promises to tame frizzy unmanageable tresses “from
frizzy to fabulous.” Iris and her staff of traveling licensed cosmetologists
can provide their services in the comfort of your home. Visit
www.ChicagoHairTaming.com for more info, testimonials and untouched photos or
call (773) 987-7783 ... Ken Bedford, ABC 7’s cameraman, hosts his Afterwork
Networking & Steppers’ Affair, celebrating its second anniversary at the
Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph, on July 7, 5:30 p.m.- 11:30 p.m. Admission:
$5 all night with a special invite; without one, prepare to shell out $10.
Music For All – The African/Caribbean International
Festival of Life, July 1-4, noon to 10 p.m., in Washington Park, 55th and
Cottage Grove, promises something for everyone. In addition to its signature
African Caribbean acts like Soca King Machel Montano, Reggae Master Freddie
McGregor and former Stephen Marley backup singer Kenny Rox, legendary Haitian
group Boukman Eksperyans and Belizian act Super G, R&B lovers are in for a
treat with the smooth, cool Glenn Jones whose songs, Show Me and We’ve Only
Just Begun (The Romance Is Not Over) were chart-toppers. Lovers of gospel music
will be ministered to in song by Leanne Fain and jazz lovers will be mesmerized
by the sweet voice of Loretta Lee. They will be joined by more than 50 Reggae,
Soca, Haitian, African and African American musical acts. For tickets/more info, call (312)
427-0266 or visit www.festivaloflife.biz.
Must-Hear Music – The ever-popular jazz pianist, Chicago’s
very own Ramsey Lewis, and his Trio perform at Ravinia Park on July 10.
Included: the Ravinia premiere of Ramsey’s new eight-movement suite, Colors:
The Ecology of Oneness, which utilizes elements of jazz, gospel and European
classics ... And songstress Jennifer Hudson makes her Ravinia debut on July 16
... Now, if that ain’t enough for you, Tony Bennett’s 85th birthday concert at
Ravinia is slated for Aug. 26. Awesome!
Classic Celebration – Chicago White Sox hosts its annual
Double Duty Classic Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field, celebrating the history
and tradition of Negro League baseball in Chicago and showcasing the next
generation of minority baseball players. An elite group of minority high school
players from across the country will participate in an All-Star game, dressed
in uniforms honoring the Negro League’s East-West All-Star Game. Named in honor
of Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, it commemorates the 78th anniversary of the
first East-West All-Star Game which was played at Comiskey Park. A forum
precedes the game and features a roster of speakers and prominent members of
the baseball community. Call (312) 674-1009 or visit www.whitesox.com/DDC.
All-Star Honors – Mary J. Blige, singer-songwriter, record
producer, actress, 10-time Grammy winner and four-time American Music Awards
winner (whew!), tops the list of all-star honorees who’ll receive McDonald’s
coveted 2011 365Black Award “for outstanding community service” on Friday in
New Orleans at the start of the Essence Music Festival. Awards co-hosts:
syndicated radio legend Tom Joyner and Oscar-nominated actress Angela Bassett.
Other honorees: Oscar-nominated actress Ruby Dee, Radio One network founder
Cathy Hughes, NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Jealous, and Henry “Hank”
Thomas, one of four surviving members of the 13 original Freedom Riders, who
traveled throughout the South on Greyhound buses in 1961 protesting segregated
facilities at bus stations along the way. Thomas is also a current McDonalds
owner-operator.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
