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Page 5 Portland Observer NOVEMBER 9, 1989
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ENTERTAINMENT
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ROADWAY BOUNTY
B R E P O R t U
by Garland Lee Thompson
The Seventeenth Annual
Audelco Awards
The U-Krew (On A Mission)
Toward the fulfillment of these goals
AUDELCO perform s the following in­
formational, educational and promotional
services:
* Annual Black Arts Festival.
* AUDELCO Recognition Awards.
* Black Theatre Archives.
* Cultural O utreach Programs.
* Publication o f Newsletters, Di­
rectories an Annual Black Theatre
Magazine.
* Theatre for Young Audiences.
* Tourism Projects.
There will be a Pre-Awards cham ­
pagne Reception at 6:30 p.m. for Patron
tickets holders ($100.00), VIP seating.
The general admission is $50.00 that
includes the Poet Awards Reception.
The theatre opens for general admission
at 7:30 p.m. (for information call (212)
534-8776).
The Presentations includes: The
Recognition Awards in eighteen catego­
ries (nom inees to be announced), The
Rising Star A w ards to be presented this
year to Donald "Shun" Faison and Afi
M cClendon, The O utstanding Pioneer
Award to be presented to Cynthia
Belgrave, for her many years o f per­
forming, directing and producing in the
theatre, The Board o f D irectors Awards
to presented to Black Spectrum Theatre,
Queens, N.Y., Crossroads Theatre, New
Brunswick, New Jersey, and the N a­
tional Black Institute o f Com m unica­
In 19 7 6 ,1 won my first AUDELCO
Award, which was the AUDELCO
Com m ittee's Board o f Directors Award
for Contribution to the D evelopm ent of
Community Theatre in New York and
Harlem.
The theatre developm ent program
that I founded in 1973, the same year
that the A U D ELCO was formed, is the
Frank Silvera W riters' W orkshop Foun­
dation, Inc. Since our first AUDELCO
Award, the Frank Silvera W riters' W ork­
shop was nom inated or won AUDELCO
Awards every year from 1976 to 1986.
The W orkshop, which is now in its
seventeenth season, is a new playwrights,
directors and technical designers devel­
opm ent theatre, located at 317 W est
125th Street, Harlem, N.Y. The W ork­
shop has won AUDELCO Awards in
alm ost all o f the eighteen category; from
the Board o f Directors Award, Best
M usical Production, Best Dramatic
Production, B est A ctor, A ctress, D irec­
tor, Lighting, Set Design, Costum es, and
even for Best Sound Design, which my
son, Garland Jr. won the first award
given in that category. It w as the unbe­
lievable night that the AUDELCO Awards
was held at the famed A pollo Theatre in
Harlem. It was a thrill for my son and I
that we shall never forget.
The evening has alw ays been filled
with excitem ent and high drama. The
great Black stars, such as Rudy Dee,
Ossie Davis, D ebbie Allen, G loria Fos­
ter, Cab Calloway, Dick Campbell, Lofton
M ichell, Alice Childress and many black
pioneers o f the theatre, usually all turn
out in grand fashion for the big night to
honor the talent o f the American Black
Theatre M ovement.
Many o f the people, about whom I
am teaching and discussing in my cur­
rent class (African-American Playwrights,
T heir C raft and Legacy) in the Black
Studies D epartm ent o f Portland State
University have been and will be pre­
sented at this gala event in Black T he­
atre history.
If you get a chance to attend, but
miss it, theatre fans, because you w on't
believe it to be true. So, don't take my
word for it, go see for yourself. W rite on,
Vivian and the A U D ELCO Com m ittee
o f New York City. I'll be there is black
tie with all those beautiful Black people
on November 20th, 1989.
The Colored Museum Back By
Popular Demand At The IFCC
Last season The O regonian called it "audacious
theatre, challenging politics, and one o f the best
shows in town." Now the IFCC's critically acclaim ed
production o f The Colored Museum returns, Nov. 15
through Dec. 17, com plete with the original cast
including W illie Award winner Brenda Phillips and
jazz singer Shirley Nanette.
Eleven "exhibits" or sketches unfold against a
museum background in this searing, satirical revue by
G eorge c. W olfe. Sophisticated wit, song and chilling
dram a com bine to explore and explode the stere­
otypes and myths surrounding Black America.
If you saw it last year, you'll want to com e back and bring a friend. If you
missed it last year, here's a second chance to enter one o f the funniest, most
enlightening museums around!
There are performances available to fit everyone's schedule and pocket­
book: The preview on Nov. 14 at 8:00 p.m . is only $5. Special perform ances
on Nov. 15 and 16 are gala benefits for the IFCC to help replace funds lost in
this year's City budget cuts. Tickets are $25 per person and the event includes
a post-show cham pagne reception with entertainm ent on W ednesday night by
A rt A lexander, and Thaursday night by Janice Scroggins. The Colored
Museum continues through Dec. 17, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m.
and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are going fast so call 243-7930 for
reservations today!
JILÆ
Behind-The-Scenes
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(B yline=Lisa Collins)
tions Through Theatre Aits, Harlem, N.Y.
The A udience Development Com ­
mittee. Inc., o f New York City, will
p re se n t its se v e n te e n th A nnual
AUDELCO Awards, M onday, Novem­
ber 2 0 ,1 9 8 9 ,7 :3 0 P.M ., at Aaron Davis
Hall, 133 Street & Coanvent Avenue
.City C ollege Cam pus, New York City.
The A U D ELCO Awards, founded
by Vivian Robinson, pres., Renee C he­
now eth, and a group of A frican-A m eri­
can women to present a spectacular cele­
bration o f Black Theatre Excellence in
New York City and the surrounding tri­
state area.
A U D ELCO (Audience Develop­
ment Com m ittee, Inc.) was established
and incorporated in 1973 to generate
more aw areness o f the arts in Black
com m unities; to promote better public
relations and to build new audiences for
non-profit theatre and dance companies.
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by Tony Washington
Portland's local rap artist the U-
Kiew displayed a wide range o f their
music. Ranging from rap to instrum en­
tal, to terrific vocal harmony. The group
consists o f five young men who have
exploded onto the entertainm ent scene.
The Krew recently released a video
and signed a contract with Capitol Rec­
ords which brought their well deserved
talents into the limelight.
The group, performing this past
weekend at Eli's in downtown Portland,
drew a mixed crowd, and a gave the
audience a chance to enjoy a different
style of music. The members, all Port­
landers who attended G rant & Jefferson
High School respectively, Lavell A lex­
ander (P. Kookie) who is the youngest
member is enrolled at Jefferson. Its unusual
for groups such as the U-Krcw to receive
the amount o f recognition of their tal­
ents. The U-Krcw featured newcomers
Eric Smith (EZMC) and Nyssa who are
both exceptional. Keep an eye out for
their new release on Enigma Records
The U-Krew which was produced by
Rose City locals, Marlon (The M agi­
cian) McClain and co-producer Larry
Bell. We wish to commend the U-Krew
on a job well done.
Lady Day At Emerson’s
Bar & Grill
The Portland Civic Theatre's Pro­
duction o f Lady Day at Emerson Bar &
Grill, is a revealing view into the life of
singer Billie Holiday.
Jeanette Russell Brown gives a sen­
sitive and stellar perform ance as Lady
Day. Her portrayal communicate not only
the pain that Lady Day m ust have en­
dured, but also captures the essence of
Lady Day in her vocals.
The play written by Lanie Robertson
is a travel through a time warp back to
Emerson's Bar & Grill where Billie
Holiday is perform ing shortly before her
early death at age 44. During her show
Billie talks to her audience telling them
her experiences often in a humorous
manner, yet underlying the humor is a
tale o f disillusionm ent and pain, one gets
a sense that incidents she talks about are
over whelming her and that she is slowly
unraveling at the scams. Ms. Brown's
acting is poignant and touching. Billie
Larkin who plays Jimmie Powers her
accom panist provides fine understated
perform ance, although his dialogue
limited. Billie's piano playing is im pres­
sive and he too lends a lot to creating a
convincing sense o f time and place.
Lady D ay at the Em erson's Bar &
Grill says a lot about A merica as a nation
and its race relations during the first half
o f the twentieth century. O ne can not
help but wonder that would have the
genius of Lady Day survived longer had
she had not to endure the trauma and
injustice o f racism.
The production of Lady Day at Emer­
son's Bar & G rill will be running from
November 3rd through December 10, at
Civic Theatre Blue Room. This is a must
see play for those who enjoy the music of
Billie Holiday or are concerned about
the human condition of they fellow man.
Jazz Night At
Lewis & Clark
Enjoy fall term's Jazz Night Con­
cert, Friday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m., in Evans
Auditorium, Lewis & Clark College,
0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road.
This free event, featuring a truly
American musical art form, appropri­
ately coincides with the American M u­
sic Week celebration taking place through­
out the country.
The Lewis & Clark Jazz Ensemble,
a student big band with student and guest
soloists, will perform selections repre­
senting big band jazz styles o f the past
and present. Standard tunes o f the 30s
and 40s such as "Time A fter Time" and
"When You're Smiling" will be mixed
with current funk, rock and Latin styles.
Arrangers represented include Tom
Kubis, Bob Florence, Matt Harris, Don
Scham ber and Jeff Jarvis. David M.
Becker directs the 19-mcmber ensemble.
E bony H olds A chievem ent A w ards: The black entertainm ent was recently on
hand in Los Angeles as Ebony hosted its annual American Black Achievem ent
Awards. Top honors went to Motown Productions' Suzanne de Passe, dancer-
choregrapher Arthur M itchell, Leontyne Price and Democratic party chair, Ron
Borwn. The black-tie affair was tapped for syndication and will be show n in
approximately 30 markets between December and February. The star-studded
crowd included Anita Baker, Avery Brooks, "Generations" Jonelle Allen, Esther
Rolle, and Natalie Cole, who looked resplendent in a gorgeous black pants outfit.
Cole, who is just settling in to married life with hubby-producer Andre Fischer, joins
the list of those vying for the role o f Josephine Baker in the movie HBO is doing on
the life of the famed Caberet singer. Cole who has contem plated acting for some
time now, studied with a top acting coach to prepare for her recent audition. D irec­
tors were so impressed that she was called back. Meanwhile s er husband Andre is
excited about his upcoming project with Carl Anderson.
E lsew hhere in T inseltow n, A&M Records threw a bash for Barry W hite
marking the d .but o f his latest LP at the exclusive and trendy S pagos Restaurant just
above the Su. sc»Strip. Among those in attendance were actress Dawnn Lewis, Soul
Train’s Don Cornelius, and su p e rsta r p ro d u c e r Q uincy Jones ... Speaking o f
Jones, word has it that his upcoming LP, due for release later this month, is a killer.
But with a lineup featuring Luther Vandross, Dionne W arwick, Miles Davis, Ella
Fitzgerald, A1 B. Sure, Bobby M cFerrin, Barry W hite, Herbie Hancock and rap
sensations Ice-T, Big Daddy Kane, and Kool Moe Dee, who could lose. The first
single, "I'll Be G ood To You" is a du et th a t team s C h a k a K han w ith Ray C h arles.
Randy Cancells Showcase: All were primed for the Los Angeles show case of
Randy Jackson and his gro- r-"R andy & The Gypsy's," but it never happened.
Jackson cancelled the sho\ case at the last minute, due to illness (Bronchitis, I think,
was mentioned). At any rate, Jackson had to have been a bit miffed when he looked
in the LA Times to find a picture o f Bernard Jackson (of the group surf surface)
above a caption that read "Randy Jackson" am idst a featured interview on him self
and his new group, "Randy & The Gypsys." One would think that the LA Tim es
would know who was who. (A correction was made in the daily's next ediction).
W hatever H appened T o Ja y n e K ennedy? Aside from m otherhood curtailing
a great deal of her activity, (Kennedy now has two pint-sized toddlers on her hands)
she is still very active with respect to appearances, and hopes to get going with some
projects that will put her back in the public eye very soon.
Snoops N ot F arin g W ell: The latest report released by Neilsen ranks Tim
Reid's much-talked about new series, "Snoops" as 71st. The show which nabbed a
a prime slot, bowing in on Friday nights just ahead of "Dallas," is however struggling
and while there is no news on whether or not it will be axed, things don't look so
optimistic. Meanwhile, ABC’s answer to Cosby~"Fam ily Matters" is said to be
doing quite well. O f course, that's good news for co-star Telma Hopkins who
recently celebrated her birthday with a cozy weekend in Palm Springs with her
steady, who gifted her with a diamond bracelet.
In S hort: bobby Brown has been signed to headline a benefit concert for the
United Negro College Fund at Madison Square Garden sometime in next month ...
Freddie Jackson teamed up with Irene Cara for a duet entitled "Love Survives,"
which is set as the theme song to an animated film, "All Dogs Go To H eaven".... Ex-
T em ptations lead D avid R uffin, who is not without his share o f troubles, having
just been ordered to enter a drug rehab, has joined with two other former T em pta­
tions to form a singing group. And the name? Yeah, you guessed it. They're going
to call themselves the Temptations.
Next W eek: 227 co -star H al W illiam s accuses NBC of snubbing his TV
show.
284-0293
3606 N. Williams Ave.
Come Share With Us At Our Open House At Our New Location
Nov. 12th at 2:00 ■ 6:00 P.M. ■ Refreshments & Door Prizes
SERVING YOU!!!
The finest in sobon and beauty care for
over 26 years in the ‘P ortlandMetro area
We are full service salon featuring:
Hair Weeving
Designer Cuts
Coloring
Press and Curl
Leisure Curls And Other Relaxers
Nail Care and Service
(art nails manicure, pedicure, facial)
Owner/Manager; Alzena De Deleveaux and Cassie Jenkins
Hair Styles/Designers: Geri Mary, Albert, Janice - Manicurist: Pat
EDDIE MURPHY RICHARD PRYOR
They re up
to iomethin<
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JAZZY FM
MEM
PORTLAND'S
CIVIC THEATRE
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Group discount for 15 or more
R RATING
N ew s
Alt »IGMTS *E$(»V(D
|ady Day
at Emerson’s
B a r* G rill
by Lanie Robertson
CO m P anv
MATINEES SATURDAY 1 SUNOAV
TANASBOURNE
luw nr rwf.r«s
JANTZEN BEACH
645-461,
248 6964
M OTFR THt^TW fS
NOV. 3 - DEC. 10
TICKETS:
226-3048
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