Live Entertainment Welcomes Black History Month

Miami FL

04 February, 2021

10:58 AM

Description

Miami Times Staff Report Feb 2, 2021 The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida will present its first live event in a year, with the "Lyric Live All Star Salute to Betty Wright" on Friday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. at the Historic Lyric Theater in Overtown. This special show in tribute to "Miami's Queen of Soul" is hosted by comedian Chello Davis, with live music by Jody Hill & Deep Fried Funk Band, DJ H2 and the Showtyme Junkanoo Band. Angie Griffin and Betty Wright./Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Tributes will be performed by Lyric Live alumni, including Terrance "VesSoul" Cribbs-Lorrant (Season 3 winner); Laurana Strachan (Season 5 winner); and James P. Jackson Jr. (Lyric Live alumnus). The show will also include a celebrity guest performance by recording artist Angie Griffin, the Miami vocalist behind the 1980s R&B hit, "Toby." "I loved Betty Wright and she loved me – she was a spiritual mother and mentor to me," said Griffin. "I was 19 years old when my single "Toby" started soaring. One day, I got a phone call with a lady singing my song over the phone and she said, 'Hi, this is Betty Wright, and we are going to complete your album together.' I was overjoyed, and she and I went on to create three songs together. I will forever love and miss her, and it is an honor to be a part of her tribute." Wright, who began her career as a teenager in the 1960s, became famous in the 1970s with chart-topping hits like "Clean Up Woman" and "Tonight is the Night." Wright mentored many musicians from South Florida and beyond, imparting her wisdom on the future generations who would perpetuate her legacy. "One of the things we prioritize at the Black Archives is our dedication to lifting up the giants of our time – those from right here in our own city," said Timothy A. Barber, Black Archives executive director. "Miami has produced great leaders, trailblazers and icons, and Betty Wright was all of those things." Tickets may be purchased to enjoy the performance in person at lyriclive.eventbrite.com; the show will also stream for free. Masks, social distancin, and temperature checks are required of all in-person eventgoers at the theater. At the Sandrell Rivers Theater, located at 6103 NW 7th Ave. in Miami, Fantasy Theatre Factory (FTF) is offering a full slate of original shows and events designed to elevate and celebrate Black art, music and voices to mark Black History Month. "We've worked with more than three dozen artists from across the country to put together the shows that we've planned for the month of February," said Larry Fields, FTF CEO and executive artistic director. "We are very excited about sharing [them] with the public and celebrating Black American icons." Many of the performances will be presented live as well as online, giving people the option to attend in-person at the Sandrell. Performances are simulcasting on Facebook and YouTube. Temperature checks, face coverings and social distancing are required for in-person attendance. EVENTS ONE@SRT: "Soul by Soul" by Isabel Tucen Sat., Feb. 6, 8 p.m. $1 in-person; free online A play about Harriet Tubman, one of the most famous "conductors" of the Underground Railroad, who guided 300 slaves to freedom in 19 harrowing trips. Fantasy Theatre Factory Playwright/director/composer/lyricist Tucen says, "Harriet has taught me to use my voice and advocate relentlessly for the things I believe in. She has taught me that, no matter how hopeless things may get, always have faith and serve with an open heart. In the state of the world we are living in, I challenge myself and others to be a Harriet. Is there a Harriet in you?" The "ONE@SRT" series was developed by FTF in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to provide economic opportunities to artists and original programming for audiences. "Sacred Fire" Sat., Feb. 13, 7 p.m. $10 in-person; free online Presented by FTF and New Cannon Chamber Collective, "Sacred Fire" explores a range of Western classical music by composers of African descent by merging engaging visual elements and sound. Close 1 of 3 Violist Vishnu Ramankutty will perform in "Sacred Fire" at the Sandrell Rivers Theater./Fantasy Theatre Factory Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Violinist Chelsea Sharp is among the artists performing at Sandrell Rivers Theater in "Sacred Fire."/Fantasy Theatre Factory Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Singer Portia Dunkley, producer of "Sacred Fire" at the Sandrell Rivers Theater./Fantasy Theatre Factory Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Sacred Fire 1 of 3 Violist Vishnu Ramankutty will perform in "Sacred Fire" at the Sandrell Rivers Theater./Fantasy Theatre Factory Violinist Chelsea Sharp is among the artists performing at Sandrell Rivers Theater in "Sacred Fire."/Fantasy Theatre Factory Singer Portia Dunkley, producer of "Sacred Fire" at the Sandrell Rivers Theater./Fantasy Theatre Factory It is a chronological musical journey from Afro-British to Afro-Brazilian music, narrated with poetic prose and accompanied with elements of movement (ballet) and visual art. The program will culminate in an audience talk-back with the artists and Larry Fields, FTF CEO and executive artistic director. Produced by singer Portia Dunkley; directed by singer Angel Refusé. "Lift Every Voice – Black Women Speak" Fri., Feb. 19, 2021, at 7 p.m. $10 in person/online "Lift Every Voice – Black Women Speak" features the reading of 14 monologues that unleash the thoughts and experiences of Black Women playwrights from across the country. From an unwanted pregnancy to the fear of a traffic stop, the monologues provide an intimate glimpse into their lives. Look for a feature story on this program on the cover of Living Black in The Miami Times on Feb. 10. MUSIC@SRT: I Wanna Dance with Somebody: A Celebration of Black Icons from the '80s Fri., Feb. 26, 8 p.m. Free; online only An exploration of the iconic music created by Black American artists in the 1980s. A plethora of musical legends released hit after hit that topped the charts across the U.S. and around the world during the decade, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Billy Ocean, Anita Baker, Patti LaBelle and many more. Look for more information about live and virtual events during Black History Month in The Miami Times and on miamitimesonline.com. The Miami Times is the largest Black-owned newspaper in the south serving Miami's Black community since 1923. The award-winning weekly is frequently recognized as the best Black newspaper in the country by the National Newspaper Publishers Association.