By Dwight Brown, NNPA News Wire Film Critic Gifted artists create a spirit so strong it lives on long after they’re gone. That’s the case with legendary choreographer/dancer Alvin Ailey. It’s like he never left. Never passed on. Documentary director Jamila Wignot records the history, evolution and continuation of Ailey’s work during the renowned Alvin […]
Category: Arts & Culture
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
New dance school opens to ‘colorize the arts’
Zuri Foreman is the founder of the Foreman Arts School, which opened its doors on June 24. (Courtesy Photo) By Micha Green AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor mgreen@afro.com Professional dancer and D.M.V. native Zuri Foreman is using her years of experience in the entertainment industry to further the artistic opportunities for arts appreciators of all […]
Posted in!Front Page
Singer Zadia captures the sound of Baltimore
Zadia is a singer and songwriter from Baltimore who is thriving in the city’s rising creative arts community. (Courtesy of zadia.bandcamp.com) By Nicole Batey Special to the AFRO Have you heard it? Baltimore City has a unique sound all her own and Visit Baltimore, in partnership with Bellweather Agency, aims to capture it in their […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The GoGo Swing
GoGo music is a sound indigenous to D.C. that fuses musical genres and gained popularity in the 70s, with groups such as Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, and remains relevant today. (Courtesy Photo) By Carl Thomas Special to the AFRO Langdon park day June 1987- that was my first introduction to GoGo (that I […]
Posted in!Front Page
‘Are we on the Air?’
Baltimore Hip Hop By Wendy Saulters Special to the AFRO “Are we on the Air?” asked the 80’s Baltimore Hip Hop Group, Level 4, in their hit song of the same title. If you were a teenager in Baltimore City during the 80’s, you should nostalgically remember the after-school scene—rushing home at 4 p.m. to […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Summer of Soul … film review
By Dwight Brown, NNPA News Wire Film Critic It was a volatile time. Malcom and Martin had been assassinated in recent years. Civil uprisings and riots had just simmered down. The summer of ’69 was a chance for a much-needed cultural break and reawakening. That happened in Harlem’s Mt. Morris Park, when program director Tony […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Chlöe, Shahidi, Cordae part of Disney EP honoring Black life
Chloe Bailey, left, of the sister duo Chloe x Halle, rapper YBN Cordae and actor and activist Yara Shahidi, who will be featured in a new EP about the Black experience. “Music for the Movement Volume III – Liberated,” the third volume in Disney’s four-part series of EPs honoring Black lives and social justice under […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Ludacris and Queen Latifah to star in upcoming Netflix thriller
Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges (Photo credit: Splash News) By Michael “Ice-Blue” Harris Rolling Out via NNPA Ludacris is preparing for his next box office smash, Fast & Furious 9. The movie will be released on June 25 and it has just been announced that he will be joining fellow rapper-turned-thespian, Queen Latifah, in the upcoming Netflix […]
Posted inBooks
Commentary: Book called ‘boy.’ gives voice to mothers of Black sons
This palpable emotion, ranging from distress to defiance, is expressed in 48 personal letters from Black mothers to America that comprise the book “boy,” also known as “Defending Our Black Sons’ Identity in America.” The book also is commonly referred to as “The Boy Book.” (Courtesy photo) By Norma Adams-Wade Special to the AFRO Eric […]
Posted inNEWS
New Orleans rapper Alfred Banks becomes mental health ambassador
New Orleans based rapper Alfred Banks is getting recognition from more than just his skills on the mic. He’s also uses his voice to bring awareness around issues of Mental Health. NEW ORLEANS DATA NEWS WEEKLY – Those songs made up ‘The Beautiful’ Album, a work that’s been embraced by organizations like the National Alliance […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Taraji P. Henson cast in beloved ‘Annie Live!’
By Terry Shropshire Rolling Out via NNPA (NNPA Newswire) — Taraji P. Henson has secured the role of a lifetime. The Oscar-nominated actress and former “Empire” star has been cast to play the antagonist role of Miss Hannigan in the TV adaptation of one of the most beloved plays in the history of Broadway, “Annie […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, Lil Nas X set for BET Awards
In this Oct. 1, 2011 file photo, DMX performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta. The late rapper will be honored at Sunday’s BET Awards. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) By Mesfin Fekadu AP Music Writer The BET Awards on June 27 will be packed with performances by Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X […]