By Sean Yoes, AFRO Baltimore Editor, syoes@afro.com As a boy growing up in West Baltimore, Andre DeShields was already turning heads. DeShields, a flashy dresser, would burn up the dance floor during student gatherings at middle schools like Booker T. Washington and #181 on the Westside. And by the time he graduated from Baltimore City College High […]
Category: Arts & Culture
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Baltimore News, ENTERTAINMENT, Living for the Weekend, NEWS
LIVING FOR THE WEEKEND
By Valerie Fraling, Special to the AFRO “Back when I was a child before life removed all the innocence, my father would lift me high and dance with my mother and me. And then spin me around ‘til I fell asleep. Then up the stairs he would carry me, and I knew for sure I […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, Music
New York City Street Named for Rapper Notorious B.I.G.
By The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City street has been named for rapper Notorious B.I.G. Community members and elected officials gathered in a downpour on Monday at the intersection of St. James Place and Fulton Street. In this Dec. 6, 1995, file photo, The Notorious B.I.G., who won rap artist […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, Music
John Legend on Abortion Law Boycotts: ‘Money Talks’
By AMANDA LEE MYERS Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Legend says Hollywood should consider boycotting Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and other states that pass restrictive abortion laws. Legend admits he’s not sure if a boycott would be successful, but says “it’s a conversation that needs to be had. In this March 14, 2019, file […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, TV and Film
Prolific Film and Literary Critic Kam Williams Dies
By MSR News Online Editor’s Note: Kam Williams was a frequent contributor to the MSR. We send our condolences to his family and loved ones. Find film reviews by Kam Williams here. Film critic and literary writer Kam Williams died Thursday, May 30 from prostate cancer. He was 66 years old. Film critic and literary […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, National News, NEWS, TV and Film
PBS Documentary to Explore History of Transatlantic Slave Trade
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent, @StacyBrownMedia Acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Nelson and his production company Firelight Films announced that, “Creating the New World: The Transatlantic Slave Trade,” will air on PBS in 2021. The four-part documentary will be the final installment in Firelight’s three-part series for Independent Lens, called America Revisited, which began with […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, TV and Film
Spike Lee Calls for Hollywood to ‘Shut it Down’ in Georgia
By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Director Spike Lee is calling for Hollywood production companies to leave Georgia over a law that would ban abortions as early as six weeks, upon detection of a fetal heartbeat. Spike Lee arrives at the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Denzel Washington at the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, NEWS, Washington D.C. News
“THIS IS NOT A DRILL” Explores Racial Injustices
By George Kevin Jordan, Special to the AFRO Renowned artist Jefferson Pinder will be presenting a limited-run performance piece exploring racial injustices throughout the U.S., including the historic 14th and U Street corridor. “THIS IS NOT A DRILL,” is part of the Red Summer Tour by Pinder, presented on June 13 and June 14 at 7 […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Baltimore News, ENTERTAINMENT, Music, NEWS
`Jazzy Summer Nights’ Celebrates 20 Years
By AFRO Staff “Jazzy Summer Nights,” the Baltimore outdoor concert series, which launched in 1999, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week with a concert featuring neosoul singer Bilal, Hip-Hop legend Biz Markie and DJ Keebeepooh. Jazzy Summer Nights (JSN) was born out of a partnership between LaRian Finney and Jay McCutcheon and originated as “Jazz in the Alley” at Larry Stewart’s Place, which was a lounge on Calvert Street, downtown. […]
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Wendy Williams’ Husband Blames Her After Being Punched By Their Son
By A.R. Shaw, BlackPressUSA ROLLINGOUT — The saga continues between Wendy Williams and her estranged husband, Kevin Hunter Sr. Following a recent fight between Kevin Sr. and their son, Kevin Hunter, Jr., Kevin Sr. reportedly believes that Williams was at fault. According to TMZ, Kevin Sr. said that he and his son had an excellent relationship until […]
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Ava DuVernay’s ‘Central Park Five ‘Documentary Debuts to Critical Acclaim
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia The morning after Ava DuVernay’s four-part Netflix miniseries about the Central Park Five, “When They See Us,” premiered at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater, she was in a daze. “I don’t drink, and I don’t do any other kinds of substances,” she told Rolling Stone, “but I think I […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Baltimore News, ENTERTAINMENT, Music, NEWS
The Rebirth of Cool
By Sean Yoes, AFRO Baltimore Editor, syoes@afro.com Jazz musician and impresario Todd Barkan has brought world class Jazz back to Baltimore. There was a surreal scene in the swanky Harbor East community over the Memorial Day weekend. Billy Murphy, the legendary defense attorney was holding court outside of a new nightclub with a group of other men, […]