by Kevin Amos The Stanley Theatre (now called The Benedum) was the last venue Bob Marley and The Wailers performed publicly on Sept. 23, 1980 before his passing. Exactly 30 years after that magical evening, the Marley family came together for a powerful live tribute concert benefiting their 1 Love Foundation and honoring the patriarch in a concert entitled “1 Love presents “Live Forever, a Bob Marley Celebration” concert. MARLEY BROTHERS—Julian, Stephen and Damian Marley. (Photos by Gail Manker). Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley, Cedella Marley and The Marley girls performed the set list from the 1980 show to a soldout crowd of all ages. Rita Marley traveled from her home in Ghana to be part of this special event along with former I-Three member, Marcia Griffiths. The enthusiastic audience consisted of young reggae fans who weren’t alive during the heyday of Bob Marley and the Wailers, but have since embraced the music of the group and the Marley children.
This week I visited the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Downtown Pittsburgh, The Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty, Club Mosaic in the Strip District, Melange Bristol Bar and Lounge in Downtown Pittsburgh and CJ’s in the Strip District. My first stop was at CJ’s in the Strip District where DJ Mike “The Punisher” was on the 1’s and 2’s playing all the hits for the crowd. Dancers performing an African dance at the 5th Annual Keepers of the Flame Awards Introducing Dance Africa 2010 held at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater.
Thursday 14 Jazz at Andys Fairmont Pittsburgh presents Jazz at Andys from 6-10 p.m. at 510 Market St., Downtown. Every Wednesday through Saturday, guests will be treated to live jazz performances by some of the city’s finest musicians. The featured artist will be Jessie Glovier. There is no cover charge. For more information, call 412-773-8884 or visit www.andyswinebar.com.
by Ashley G. WoodsonFor New Pittsburgh Courier Legendary R&B singer Chris Williams, born Troy Christopher Williams, came on the scene in the late ’80s with major hits. He released his Chris Williams debut in 1987. Four years later, he acted in “New Jack City.” His single from the soundtrack, “Dreamin,’” turned gold and reached number one. His 1993 album “Changes” featured the hits “Every Little Thing” and “Come Go With Me.” “Not a Perfect Man” brought a new direction for Williams. His first album as sole executive producer uses elements of reggae, R&B, hip-hop and country. Williams’ next album will drop soon, and includes tracks with Anthony Hamilton and Damian Marley. CHRIS WILLIAMS
by Terri SchlichenmeyerFor New Pittsburgh Courier The cheers and chants were just for you. When the music started and you stepped onto the pretend stage, the imaginary crowd went wild. Make-believe spotlights shined on your fingers, moving quickly as you picked a song on your air guitar—your “specialty”—and you were famous. In your own head, anyway.
(NNPA)—Dear Gwendolyn: I have been dating my boyfriend for five years. Each time I mention getting married, he changes the conversation. I must admit that I am growing tired of his seemingly “no interest” in marrying me. Last year at his family’s reunion gathering, his father told me that for the past two years he has been in love with me. He said, “I thought by now you would have married my son or the two of you would have broken the relationship.” I was rude with him at first, but now I am having second thoughts.
The African American Council of the Arts 6th Annual Onyx Awards is a multi-faceted, educational arts organization dedicated to promoting the arts as a tool of enlightenment, personal development and tolerance for minorities and the disadvantaged through education, training, literature research, dissemination of information, job opportunities, the Onyx Awards and incentives. PITTSBURGH PLAY WRIGHTS—The director and the cast of “Jitney” performed by the Pittsburgh Play Wright’s. Front row, seated, from left: Ja’Sonta Roberts Dean, Genna Styles holding 3-year-old Marcus Southers and Cheryl El Walker. Standing from left: Maurice Redwood, Mark Southers, Kevin Brown, Sala Udin and Les Howard.
This week I visited West Club Lounge at Heinz Field on the North Shore, Club Whim Pittsburgh in Station Square, Kelly’s Bar in East Liberty, the North Side Elks Lounge in the Hill District, Denise and Earl’s Bar in Homewood, CJ’s in the Strip District, The Galaxy Club in Homewood, The Shadow Lounge in East Liberty and Ava Lounge in East Liberty. My first stop was at the Galaxy Club in Homewood where Denise celebrated her birthday with family and friends. Tracey Lee was on the 1’s and 2’s and had the whole party jumping. I have to shout out Dell Saunders, Artistree and Mrs. Jefferson. Jerome Bettis, Chuck Sanders and K. Chase Patterson at the West Lounge Club at Heinz Field at the annual 50 Men of Excellence Awards ceremony presented by the New Pittsburgh Courier.
Thursday 7 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.
Kuntu Repertory Theater will dedicate its 36th season to the local Pittsburgh writers who were influenced by prolific playwright Rob Penny. “We’ve done a three-year plan where we started by focusing on Rob Penny’s plays and then we did a year of the writers who influenced him and now we are finishing that plan by doing plays by writers who were influenced by him,” said Vernell A. Lillie, founder and director of Kuntu Repertory Theatre. “I thought Rob created great Black female and male characters and he looks at Black people in a lot of different areas and that’s what drew me to Rob.” VERNELL A. LILLIE
