October 8, 2009

DVD

• “Jada” is the story of a woman whose faith in God saves her family and herself during a tumultuous time. The film, which is scheduled to be released on DVD Oct. 13, stars Clifton Powell (“Ray,” “The Gospel”), Rockmond Dunbar (“The Family That Preys”), and Siena Goines (“Passion”) as Jada. The film had its world premiere Aug. 9 on the Gospel Music Channel television network. The DVD costs $19.99. Information: www.melee.com.

DANCE

• The Roy and Edna Disney/ Cal Arts Theater will present Gregory Maqoma and the Vuyani Dance Theatre in the West Coast premiere of “Beautiful Me.” As part of Maqoma’s debut North American tour, the performance opens Oct. 21 and runs for a four-night engagement through Oct. 25. Each night’s performance, which combines the influences of contemporary Kathak, Afro-fusion, and visual dance theater, begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for this event are $20 to $25 for the general public and $16 to $20 for students. The theater is at 631 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles. Information: (213) 237-2800, www.redcat.org.

THEATER

• Sharon L. Graine, founder of the Playhouse Theatre Players will present “Sammy Davis Jr. And Friends.” This event will take place Oct. 9 and 10, 8 p.m., at the Playhouse Theatre Players, 600 Moulton Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets costs $15 and reservations are recommended. Information: (323) 227-5410, www.kslgplayhousetheatre.com.

ANNIVERSARY

• The Denise Roberts Breast Cancer Foundation will present “The Cause, The Care, The Cure: The 10 Year Journey,” the organization’s 10th Anniversary Founder’s Day Gala. The event will take place Oct. 18, 2 to 5 p.m., in suites A160 and A260 of the Conga Room, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. This event will be hosted by actress Wendy Raquel Robinson and the menu will be created by chef Wolfgang Puck. Tickets for this event are $150 and can be purchased by visiting http://shop.tdrbcf.org/. Information: (888) 833-6473.

LECTURES

• Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje, chair of the Department of Ethnomusicology at UCLA, will discuss the dynamics of urban life and music as it relates to San Francisco’s Fillmore District in a lecture entitled “The Beat Goes On.” The lecture will take place at the California African American Museum Oct. 11, 2 p.m. This event is free but parking costs $8. CAAM is in Exposition Park at 600 State Drive, Los Angeles. Information: (213) 744-7432, www.caamuseum.org.

• Zizwe Mtafuta-Ukweli, former organizer with the All African People’s Revolutionary Party and hip-hop artist KRS ONE’s project H.E.A.L. (Human Education Against Lies) will discuss and sign his latest book, “From Garvey to Nkrumah: Pan African Giants and Mass Agency.” The lecture will take place Oct. 17, 3 p.m., at Shades of Africa Bookstore, 1001 E. 4th St., Long Beach. An assistant professor at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Ukweli will discuss the contributions of Kwame Nkrumah and Marcus Garvey to Africa and Pan-African movements worldwide, as well as the future of Pan Africanism. Information: (562) 595-1192, pambeli@aol.com.

ART

• Watts Art 24/7 is a series of 12 Solo Artists Exhibitions spotlighting the artwork of some of the most influential artists working in California that come out of or work in Watts and surrounding communities. The featured artist for this exhibition is Michael Massenburg, and the opening reception will take place Oct. 17, 2 to 5 p.m. at the Cecil Fergerson Gallery, on the grounds of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, 10950 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles. Information: (323) 563-5639, cecilfergersongallery@gmail.com, www.wlcac.org.

• Part of jazz culture is the art inspired by the music. The California African American Museum invites the public to create their own work of art with jazz as the muse and artist Milton Loupe as the guide. “Art to Jazz” will take place Oct. 17, 1 p.m., at the CAAM. This event is free and it is for participants ages 15 and up. Interested persons may RSVP by calling (213) 744-2133. The CAAM is in Exposition Park at 600 State Drive, Los Angeles. Parking costs $8. Information: www.caamuseum.org.

CONCERT

• KPFK Pacifica Radio (90.7 FM) will celebrate its 50 years of broadcasting with the Peace Awards and a benefit concert to imagine the world that is possible through the peace actions of today. Ziggy Marley, four-time Grammy-winning reggae musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, will headline this benefit performance Oct. 9, 7 p.m., at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Los Angeles. The concert will also feature Poncho Sanchez; Luciana Souza, Christian McBride, and the Intercultural L.A. Samba kids. The show will be hosted by Richard Montoya of Culture Clash. Tickets are $35, $60 and $150 per person. For $500 per person, there will be a pre-show VIP reception which includes preferred seating, beverages and food, and more. For reservations, call (323) 461-3673 or visit www.kpfk.org or www. fordtheatres.org. To reserve a pre-show VIP ticket, call the Ford box office at (323) 461-3673.

CD

• Jamaican singer, songwriter and producer Carlene Davis made her VP Records debut with the CD “True Worship” on Oct. 6. Davis’ musical career spans 40 years, and she is also an ordained Christian minister with a Ph.D. in pastoral counseling from South Florida’s Trinity Theological Seminary. “True Worship,” labeled as “gospel Reggae,” is a mix of reggae music and the gospel of Christ. Co-produced by Davis and her husband Tommy Cowan, the CD was recorded live at Kingston, Jamaica’s, legendary Tuff Gong studios. The album offers 13 songs of praise ranging from traditional hymns to original tunes penned by the couple. The CD costs $18.99. Information: www.vprecords.com.

AWARDS

• The National Association of Minority Contractors will celebrate 10 years of addressing the needs and concerns of minority contractors in Los Angeles with its annual awards dinner Oct. 15, 6 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel, 6225 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles. This event will honor minority contractors, corporate partners, and community and government officials for their contributions. More than 300 contractors and construction industry participants are expected to attend the dinner, with the proceeds being used to further the resources provided to and education of minority contractors, including construction industry related scholarships. Tickets for this event are $100 for members and $125 for non-members. Information: (323) 295-5484, scoleman@colemancon.com.