Kenny Hamber, renowned R&B recording artist, is returning to Baltimore to perform at the New Africa Festival on Aug. 20 at Druid Hill Park from noon to 8 p.m. Free for the whole family.
Hello everyone, this is an exciting and hot weekend. “Shorty,” my Boo-Boo, and I had a very busy week covering the last of the “Liberty Live” Festival for the Randallstown Community and the Ruth Kirk Fun Festival for two days at the Franklin Square Park, which by the way was very successful.
Now off we go. I believe that this weekend will be the best of the best. So sit back, relax and get a cocktail. Plan to pull out your picnic basket, folding chairs, blankets, dancing shoes and lots of fun because we are going to the New Africa Festival on Aug. 20 at Druid Hill Park all day long from noon until 8 p.m. Honey Child, we are going to have a Ball.
Rodney Kelley, renowned guitarist, and his band will perform at the Coppin State University Summer Concert on August 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Coppin State Library Quad, 2500 W. North Avenue. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, food, beverages, and family. Vendors on site and free parking.
Let me tell you why. At this festival will be Travis Winkey, the “Prince of Fashion, Dressing for Success Fashion Show”; The Ebony’s, Simply Black, the First Impression, “Heat”, “Mann” (formerly of the Softones), “Bridget, Kenny Hamber and with Reggie Wells (Oprah Winfrey’s former make-up artist) and yours truly, Rosa Pryor, aka “Rambling Rose” as your Host and Hostess. Now folks, I call that the icing on the cake. What do you think?
Well, I gonna’ take you out of the city a little bit, not too far, but to our Sister town, Washington, D.C. Okay, I know I am supposed to say “going to”, but I want to say, “I’m gonna take you to Washington, DC just a little bit to check out some nice live entertainment.”
Charles Covington, Baltimore’s own gifted musician, magician, chess master, mathematician, former weight-lifting champion, college professor, professional sketch artist and author performed last week in concert at the Kennedy Center with the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, featuring the music of Jimmy Smith.
Check this out. Did you know that the Blues Alley has live entertainment, a mixture of all kinds of music, especially, blues, jazz and R&B? Well, they do. Our dear friend and musician, pianist Cyrus Chestnut with his Trio will be performing at Blues Alley Night Club and Restaurant for the entire weekend: Aug. 19 thru Aug. 21. Blues Alley is located at 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
Cyrus is adept enough to perform with Wynton Marsalis, yet hip enough to make the “Peanuts” album swing. Also he has worked with Jon Hendricks, Betty Carter, Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison, just to name a few. If you enjoy jazz and gospel, then you will enjoy Cyrus. All shows starts at 8 p.m. For ticket information, call 202-337-414.
Also in DC at the Blues Alley, Ameen Saleem & the Groove Labs, Bassist, with Mavis Swann Poole, as vocalist, will be there on Aug. 22. Saleem’s inspiration comes from jazz, but his music cannot be limited to a particular genre. He is groovy, soulful and funky. Check him out. His show starts at 8 p.m.
The Dunbar classes of 1956 celebrated their 60th reunion recently. A great time was had by all and the Committee: Martha Bowman- (Chair), Wallace Bowman (Co-Chair), Marie Davis, Betty Eggleston, Cliff Waller, Zelda Wilson, Zelda Wilson, Jacob Saulsbury (Treasurer) and Sonya Elliott (President).
Moving right along, Luis Faife Quart will be performing at Twins Jazz, 1344 U. Street NW in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 27. Luis is an Afro-Cuban saxophonist with panache and a fierce volatility. He’s played at international festivals in the United States, Cuba, France, Switzerland and many other places. Check him out too. I believe you will enjoy him and his group.
Well, my dear friends, I better stop now because I need to get all my pictures in, I am out of space. But remember, if you need me call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com.
Until the next time, I’m musically yours.