By Stephanie Harper Special to the AFRO Summer doesn’t officially start in Baltimore until the AFRAM Festival kicks off, bringing residents and visitors from the entire region to enjoy all things related to African-American culture. The 46th annual AFRAM festival is currently taking place, celebrating today’s hottest artists, Black culture and Black businesses. This year, the […]
Category: Entertainment
Posted inArts & Culture
Telling our story: the Black traditions of dance, song and theater
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Historically, Black people have had to find ways to uplift one another and celebrate life— even in the face of racism and inhumane treatment. As the Black community celebrates Juneteenth, the AFRO is considering how African Americans and their ancestors have used their creativity to rebel, come together […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Telling our stories: How the African griot tradition continues through modern art and media
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com Black history is more than oppression and suffering. Throughout Black history we have seen moments of joy, liberation and innovation. Though traditional, White media may not have accurately recorded Black history, griots have been protecting and telling the stories of African people and their descendants— long before 1619. […]
Posted inNational News
White House Juneteenth concert celebrates Black music, denounces racism
By Stacy M. Brown, Senior National Correspondent, NNPA Newswire President Joe Biden delivered a powerful speech denouncing racism in the United States during the White House’s first major Juneteenth celebration on June 13. The Biden-Harris administration hosted a concert in celebration of the holiday, featuring renowned singers Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald and Ledisi. Organizers aimed […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tory Lanez sentencing on Megan Thee Stallion shooting delayed to August
By The Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tory Lanez’s sentencing for shooting and wounding hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion was delayed on Tuesday. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford accepted the defense’s request to delay Lanez’s sentencing, which is now scheduled for Aug. 7. Prosecutors are seeking a 13 year prison sentence and Lanez faces […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Center Stage celebrates 60th anniversary with annual gala
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Baltimore Center Stage (BCS) celebrates 60 years in operation this year. On June 3, elected officials, community members and Charm City creatives came out to party in true thespian style at the theater house, located in the 700 block of Calvert street. The anniversary celebration went above and beyond, […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tupac Shakur receives Walk of Fame star honor in the same month as birthday
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr., AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tupac Shakur received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, just several days before the hip-hop legend’s birthday. The late rapper’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, accepted the star on behalf of their family. During her speech, she shed tears while describing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Atlas Performing Arts Center Seeking artists and performing artists for our 2023 – 2024 season OPEN CALL Apply now!
The historic Atlas Performing Arts Center located in the H Street Corridor in Washington, DC is a leader in presenting arts of the now. A nonprofit organization, Atlas nurtures diverse artists, leverages partnerships to explore current issues, and promotes a passion for the arts. They believe the arts are essential for an inclusive and just society and model respect, creativity, and leadership. They’re committed to presenting local artists and are looking […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Darin Atwater to join Peabody Conservatory as Distinguished Visiting Faculty
By Peabody Post Composer, conductor, performer, producer and educator Darin Atwater will join the Peabody Conservatory as Distinguished Visiting Faculty in the 2023-24 academic year. In this new role, Atwater will serve as a diversity advocate supporting the selection and evaluation of the repertoire that is taught and performed at the Conservatory. He will also […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Museum of Art and Maryland Institute College of Art Announce Elizabeth Talford Scott Exhibition and Community Celebration
By the Baltimore Museum of Art and Maryland Institute College of Art Roughly 25 years ago, the Maryland Institute College of Art’s (MICA) inaugural Exhibition Development Seminar (EDS) organized a landmark retrospective of Elizabeth Talford Scott’s vibrant mixed-media fiber works that brought significant recognition to the artist and modeled innovative community-centered approaches to curation and […]
Posted inMusic
Third man charged in Jam Master Jay murder case
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent, @StacyBrownMedia In a significant development, federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York announced on Tuesday that a third man would face charges in the 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay. The latest indictment marks a long-awaited progression in a case that […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO spotlight on Black excellence: Morgan State University alum Dayna Quincy makes Broadway debut
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Most actors who choose a life on the stage only dream of performing on Broadway. That is not the case with Dayna Marie Quincy, the Morgan State University alum who recently made her life-long dream a reality. A native of Detroit, Mich., Quincy got her start as an actress […]
