Duke Ellington

WORDTheatre Partners with LA Phil, Celebrates 20th Year with JAZZ Re-EVOLUTION

In partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association (LA Phil), and in celebration of its 20th anniversary, WORDTheatre® proudly presents JAZZ Re-EVOLUTION, a literary and musical tribute honoring jazz legends, at The Ford, on Saturday, July 22, at 8:00pm. Featured performers include Keith David, Antonique Smith, Tracie Thoms, Glynn Turman, Terrace Martin, Nedra Wheeler and Clayton Cameron, among many others.

Theatre Director Sheldon Epps’ New Book Celebrates and Encourages Self-Direction

Sheldon Epps, one of the first Black artistic directors in American regional theatre, has written a new book entitled, “MY OWN DIRECTIONS: A Black Man’s Journey in the American Theatre.” Epps chronicles his tribulations and triumphs as a freelance director, which led him to the Pasadena Playhouse, where he served as artistic director for twenty years. During that time, he helmed many productions, also directing episodes of classic television shows along the way.

National Museum of African American Music Opens in Nashville 

From rock and roll to blues, jazz, and hip-hop, music is as much the African American way of life as the afro was Black people’s style in the 1970s. Finally honoring that history, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has opened in Nashville, Tenn. 

Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement Announces its 2nd Annual CEEM Weekend at the LA County Fair: A Tribute to Black Influence in Popular Culture

The 2nd Annual CEEM Weekend at the LA County Fair will feature a “Tribute to Black Influence in Pop Culture!” Come celebrate the incredible impact of African-American contributions to this year’s fair theme: Pop Culture! The CEEM Weekend is sponsored by McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Campaign. McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden campaign celebrates a new movement to uplift communities and empower excellence through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.