by Tene Croom It was truly a Mother’s Day to remember at the Benedum Center, because of the legendary Four Tops and Temptations performing there. They no doubt took the hundreds of people gathered inside the Benedum, back to the days, decades ago, when the Motown record label was known for a stunning roster of soul artists. Motown, of course, boasted having not only the Temptations and Four Tops, but also the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, plus someone not very well known at the time called Little Stevie Wonder, among others. THE TEMPTATIONS—Original member Otis Williams, right front, with recent members of the Temptations. Otis Williams, along with Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon and Bruce Williamson kept the crowd moving. Many times people jumped up out of their seats and sang along to popular Temptations songs like “Just My Imagination” and “My Girl.”
by Kevin Amos Kente Arts Alliance kicked off their Jazz Royalty Series by presenting legendary vibraphonist / composer/ arranger Roy Ayers at the New Hazelett Theater. Ayers is one of the best-known and respected jazz/R&B artists on the music-scene. Ayers has a long career in the music business and as the Godfather of Neo-Soul, he continues to bridge the gap between generations of music lovers. The concert attendees certainly exhibited their high spirits and were vocal in their approval of the repertoire which ranged from “A Night in Tunisia” and “You Send Me” to his signature “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” The audience was comprised of many of the baby boomers who grew up with his signature sound. ROY AYERS
Thursday 7 Arts Festival The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the 53rd Annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival at Point State Park, Hertz Gateway Center and the Cultural District. The festival, which runs through June 10, will highlight the various forms of art. This year’s enhancements will include environmental responsibility and visual arts. Featured acts for the festival include the Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Wailers, and Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, just to name a few. For more information, visit www.3riversartsfest.org.
Ladies and gents alike enjoyed taking a wonderful stroll down memory lane with legendary soul crooners The Manhattans when the group returned to Pittsburgh after an eight-year hiatus. “We are so glad to be invited back to Pittsburgh,” said lead singer Gerald Alston to the adoring crowd of fans at the concert. “We are thankful to Joyce Meggerson-Moore for asking us to come back and perform.” THE MANHATTANS The group was on hand to headline the annual black tie event to celebrate New Horizon Theater’s 20th anniversary season. The evening began with an excerpt from “Hi Hat Hattie,” New Horizon Theater’s last play of the 2012 season, which featured powerhouse vocalist Shaunyce Omar who told the story of actress and singer Hattie McDaniel.
Everybody loves being first. You know how great it is to be the kid at the head of the line. You like being first to speak up, first to finish your assignments, and it’s even fun to be the first kid on the playground or ball field because you get first choice for the equipment. But not everybody can be first. Somebody has to be second and, as you’ll see in the new book “Just as Good” by Chris Crowe and illustrated by Mike Benny, coming next in line can be pretty awesome, too.
by Kevin Amos “You folks are some real serious music lovers here in Pittsburgh, aren’t you?” asked Rachelle Ferrell to the sold-out crowd at Theater Square. She then proceeded to build a dynamic 13 song set that included audience favorites, a brand new composition called “Back to Me” from her upcoming release “Art and Soul” in addition to what Ferrell described as “grown folks music.” Ferrell is one of the most vibrant talents on the music scene today. There are not many vocal artists in the industry that have Ferrell’s potent combination of range, phrasing, and musicianship. She is also an extraordinary entertainer. RACHELLE FERRELL Her recording on a label started back in 1992.
The Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh held its Sixth Annual Poetry Slam at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty. The Fair Housing Partnership is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating equal housing choice in southwestern Pennsylvania through fair housing advocacy, housing discrimination testing and comprehensive housing counseling services. THE JUDGES—The judges of the contest, from left: Stephen A. Glassman, president & CEO of Community Design Center of Pittsburgh; Tony Buba, filmmaker, documentarian; Salita Seibert, Ph.D. candidate in literature; Magdeline Jensen, CEO of the YWCA of Pittsburgh; Kimberly Easton, award winning journalist, reporter; J.T. Thomas, first Black athletic graduate of FSU and former All Pro Steeler. (Photos by Rossano P. Stewart) This year’s Poetry Slam event gave poets of all ages, an opportunity to express themselves creatively and fluently. The criteria for the contest is, each poet must direct their poetry at the concerns for and about fair housing. While performing, the artists are judged by six of Pittsburgh’s noted professionals.
Cellist J. Ryan Murphy has always been fascinated by classical orchestral music. At an early age he knew he wanted to become a musician in an orchestra but he wasn’t sure how to go about it. “I knew as a senior in high school that I liked orchestral classical music. I grew up in Saint Louis and both of my parents are musicians so I grew up around classical music,” explained Murphy, 30, who currently resides in Carrick. NEW FELLOW—Ryan Murphy, front right, with other Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra members was named one of only two Black Fellows. Enter the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Training Program for African-American Musicians. Started in the 2007-2008 season, the pre-professional program was jointly created by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the National Repertory Orchestra to help prepare a young African-American musician for a career in a professional orchestra.
This week I visited the Red Onion in the Hill District, Savoy Restaurant in the Strip District, CJ’s in the Strip District, Ava Lounge in East Liberty and Kelly’s Bar in East Liberty. My first stop was at Savoy Restaurant in the Strip District, where Joe Manganiello of HBO’s “True Blood” came to Savoy for “Celebrity Fridays.” He had a meet and greet with his fans from all over the city. Birthday celebrations were in full effect at the Red Onion in the Hill District.
Thursday 31 Jazz Jam CJ’s Restaurant & Lounge presents “The Roger Humphries & RH Factor Jazz Jam Session” at 8 p.m. at 2901-2911 Penn Ave., Strip District. There will be live jazz and fun every Thursday night. Must be 30 years or older and there is a dress code that will be enforced. No tennis shoes, sweats, or athletic gear. For more information, call 412-642-2377.
