Mary McLeod News

Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story explores the extraordinary life and legacy of one of the most important religious figures of the 20th century. Born the grandson of slaves, Howard Thurman became the “spiritual foundation” for the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring many of its leaders — including his close friend Martin Luther King, Jr. Featured in the film are a host of scholars, theologians, and Civil Rights pioneers including Congressman John Lewis, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Vernon Jordan, and more. Written and directed by Martin Doblmeier, the creator of dozens of award-winning films on faith, Backs Against the Wall premieres on the WORLD Channel today, February 8, 2019, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET (check local listings), and on public television stations throughout the month of February.

A collection of artwork by acclaimed artist, Joyce Hayes, will be featured in the Maxwell C. King Center's Harris Corporation Art Gallery from February 4 - March 3 as she presents "Eye Of The Soul." Ticketed guests attending King Center main stage performances will be able to view the exhibit. A "Meet the Artist" reception will be held on Tuesday, February 12 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. that is open to the public.  Guests may interact and chat with Ms. Hayes about her work. She will also be present at most of the main stage shows and available to speak with guests about her artwork.

Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story explores the extraordinary life and legacy of one of the most important religious figures of the 20th century. Born the grandson of slaves, Howard Thurman became the “spiritual foundation” for the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring many of its leaders — including his close friend Martin Luther King, Jr. Featured in the film are a host of scholars, theologians, and Civil Rights pioneers including Congressman John Lewis, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Vernon Jordan, and more. Written and directed by Martin Doblmeier, the creator of dozens of award-winning films on faith, Backs Against the Wall premieres on the WORLD Channel on Friday, February 8, 2019, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET (check local listings), and on public television stations throughout the month of February.

After a run of ten weeks that presented 130 one-person theatre productions from six continents, the world's largest solo theatre festival concluded its ninth season at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York by presenting this year's awards. On behalf of the United Solo Academy, Omar Sangare, the artistic director of the festival, presented the United Solo Special Award to Renee Taylor for her solo show "My Life on a Diet." In her acceptance speech, Ms. Taylor said: "I'm very grateful for receiving an award from Untied Solo - it's a very prestigious honor" and added "I'm very happy to be touring the country with 'My Life on a Diet' - and now I can say I am an award-winning show!"

Richarda Abrams is an award-winning actress/singer/playwright, and daughter of the late Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams musician/composer/visionary/co-founder of the Association For The Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the four Palm Beach County public elementary schools that have been selected to participate in its 2018-2019 Disney Musicals in Schools program. The program is an outreach initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Productions to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools. The four schools selected are Academy for Positive Learning in Lake Worth, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary in Riviera Beach, Meadow Park Elementary in West Palm Beach and Lincoln Elementary in Riviera Beach.

Winter is quickly approaching, and Art House's JC Todays will kick off the season with 25 exciting visual and performing arts events! Come out and celebrate with this city-wide festival today, December 1, 2017. Restaurants, galleries, stores, and event spaces throughout Jersey City will showcase a variety of art-related happenings including visual exhibitions, live music, performance acts, educational demonstrations, and more. All events are free and open to the public. As one of the preeminent art scenes in the tri-state area, Jersey City is abound with artists of all types, musicians, and individuals with unique talent; JC Todays is one of the best times for them to share their newest projects and works. Held quarterly, thousands of residents pour out to experience these artists' latest works and to revel in the joy art brings to the community.

Winter is quickly approaching, and Art House's JC Fridays will kick off the season with 25 exciting visual and performing arts events! Come out and celebrate with this city-wide festival on Friday, December 1, 2017. Restaurants, galleries, stores, and event spaces throughout Jersey City will showcase a variety of art-related happenings including visual exhibitions, live music, performance acts, educational demonstrations, and more. All events are free and open to the public. As one of the preeminent art scenes in the tri-state area, Jersey City is abound with artists of all types, musicians, and individuals with unique talent; JC Fridays is one of the best times for them to share their newest projects and works. Held quarterly, thousands of residents pour out to experience these artists' latest works and to revel in the joy art brings to the community.

A notable company of stage artists join a powerhouse team of playwrights and directors for Planet Connections' Playwrights for a Cause, Sunday, July 23, 2017

La MaMa presents Clover, a new experimental theater drama about America's history of violence by Erik Ehn, directed by Glory Kadigan with original music by Maya Solovey and original puppet design & puppetry direction by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew.  Performances will be staged at the First Floor Theatre at La MaMa, 74a East 4th Street,New York, NY 10003 from December 1-16, 2016. 

La MaMa presents Clover, a new experimental theater drama about America's history of violence by Erik Ehn, directed by Glory Kadigan with original music by Maya Solovey and original puppet design & puppetry direction by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew. Performances will be staged at the First Floor Theatre at La MaMa, 74a East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003 from tonight, December 1, through December 16, 2016.

La MaMa presents Clover, a new experimental theater drama about America's history of violence by Erik Ehn, directed by Glory Kadigan with original music by Maya Solovey and original puppet design & puppetry direction by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew. Performances will be staged at the First Floor Theatre at La MaMa, 74a East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003 from December 1-16, 2016.

UNION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH presents Soul of Pulchritude: A Night with Stephen Salters a one night only Benefit Boston concert from an internationally renowned baritone. Stephen Salters and Randolph Fuller are proud to partner with Union United Methodist Church for their 'Called to Serve' Campaign!  The updated program will be as follows:

NAT TURNER IN JERUSALEM, the first production of the New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) 2016/17 Season, will host a post-performance discussion entitled "…And Justice for All?" on Sunday, October 2 following the 7pm performance with leaders from the faith-based, legal, political, social justice, and artistic communities.

In an extraordinary life that grappled with racial tensions, interracial liaisons, personal scandals and politics, lyric tenor Roland Hayes (1887 – 1977), was the first African American man to reach international fame as a concert performer and one of the few artists who could sell out Carnegie Hall and other major venues.  Once called the “Black Caruso,” Hayes was also hailed as one of the greatest performers of the 20th century.  On October 4, critically acclaimed baritone Robert Sims will honor Hayes with a concert featuring African American spirituals, arranged by Hayes and narrated by George Shirley, in conjunction with his latest recording Robert Sims Sings the Spirituals of Roland Hayes. 

Cortland, N.Y.

Media impresario and humanitarian Quincy Jones has been selected as the 99th recipient of the Spingarn Medal. Jones will receive the distinguished medal on July 23rd at 105th NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sam Kelley's The Blue Vein Society and No Hidin' Place takes us back to a time and place in late nineteenth-century America when African Americans struggled to achieve human dignity against oppressive interracial and intraracial barriers that promoted a segregated culture rooted in class and color. These powerful dramas, based on two short stories by African American fiction writer, Charles Chesnutt, examine complicated family and social dynamics that resonate with disturbing power for today's world where both class and color continue to matter.

The African Burial Ground National Monument has announced its Special Programs for Black History Month 2013. Details below!

Actress Diana Sands (1934-1973) refused to be bound by stereotypes. An African-American woman who knew full well the sting of prejudice, she constantly searched for roles with strength and dignity while battling the mindset of the entertainment establishment. Often overlooked today, her story and legacy will be told by Tony Award nominee Hope Clarke (Caroline or Change, Jelly's Last Jam) in the world premiere of Steve Willis' Diana Sands: A Certain Toughness of Spirit. Directed by Sue Lawless, the show begins performances tonight, May 15 at the Workshop Theatre Company's Jewel Box Theatre, at 312 West 36th Street, on the 4th floor.