Today in African American history: A double birthday
Sir Sidney Poitier, Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), was born in Miami, Fla., on February 20, 1927, of Bahamian parentage.
Today in African American history: Dr. Dre turns 50
Dr. Dre, record producer and Grammy-winning rapper, born Andre Romelle Young in Compton, Calif., in 1965, turns 50 today.
“Billy Elliot”: Broadway musical meets proletarian drama
Combines a commercial, crowd-pleasing form of expression that also roots the characters and plot firmly in class conflict and consciousness.
"The Chesapeake Bay Retriever": A shaggy dog mystery story
Blitzstein was a fine writer and critic, whose articles appeared several times in communist publications in the 30s and 40s when he was a Party member.
"Season of the Witch" examines occult history of rock
Speaking as an occult enthusiast, I prepared myself for the possibility that this book would consist of clichéd assumptions about the occult. Fortunately, the author doesn't go that route.
Panopticon's breathtaking ride on "Roads to the North"
When it comes to underground music, the black metal genre is about as subterranean as it gets.
Inspiring new ways in opera: A South African "Magic Flute"
Warning: This may be the only way you'll ever want to hear Mozart again!
“Standing in the Breach”: good politics and music from Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne has released his 14th studio album. "Standing in the Breach" is the most political album in Browne's increasing leftward cultural and political career.
Old And New Dreams Festival celebrates return of HotHouse and more
On October 17, the acclaimed non-profit arts organization HotHouse will kick off its Old And New Dreams Festival at a brand new club in Hyde Park on 53rd.
"Get On Up" says it loud: He's Brown and he's proud!
Tate Taylor's well-directed Get On Up is the latest movie about tortured artiste who acts in self-destructive ways, a biopic about "The Godfather of Soul," James Brown.
