The Songs of ‘Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical’ to Give Audiences a Sneak Peek of the Hotly-Anticipated New Musical Honoring the Pioneering Actress

July 13, 2022

Dorothy Dandridge is arguably one of Hollywood’s most trailblazing actors. For me, she’s a personal icon. The legendary performer paved the way for countless African American women in entertainment, most notably film. Her lasting legacy lives on in The Songs of “Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical,” which showcases songs from the hotly-anticipated new musical, Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical, a joyous, spectacular song and dance celebration of a fearless pioneer who dared to dream, but tragically fell short of her own aspirations.

The Songs of “Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical,” a theatrical two-night only event will take place at Zankel Theater at Carnegie Hall.

dorothy-dandridge

Photo Credit: Visual Materials from the Rosa Parks Papers (Library of Congress)

The chances of making it big in Hollywood are slim. So, imagine how difficult it was for a young African American woman from Ohio during the 1950s — one of the most tumultuous times in history for African Americans — to gain fame in a white male-dominated industry. And yet, Dandridge beat those seemingly insurmountable odds and rose to remarkable stardom. That’s the kind of woman she was — incredibly ambitious, talented and blessed with undeniable beauty. Those superstar qualities catapulted her into becoming one of Tinseltown’s most beloved luminaries.

songs-of-dorothy-dandridge-the-musical

However, Dandridge was not without her demons as she struggled with fame, wealth, and love. The Songs of “Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical” will explore it all. Directed by Tony award winner Tamara Tunie, the highly anticipated production stars N’Kenge as Dandridge.

If you’re a fan of musicals and historical productions that feature African American actors and singers, this is a show you don’t want to miss. Catch the evening showcasing the songs of the new musical on either Sunday, July 17th at 7:30pm or Monday, July 18th at 7:30pm at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Brown Girl Gumbo readers have access to the following special offer:

$49 tickets (Reg. $75 – Parterre AA-M)

$29 tickets (Reg. $45 – Parterre N-Q)

Simply use code: DPB39816 at checkout at: CarnegieHall.org. For tickets via phone, call: 212-247.7800.

Are you a Dorothy Dandridge fan? If so, what’s your favorite movie starring the late actress? 

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 1 Comment

6 Reasons to Attend the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans (Next Year)

July 12, 2022

It’s been one week since I returned from this year’s Essence Festival of Culture event in New Orleans and I’m still on a high. If you’ve never made the trip to the unofficial mecca of black girl magic, you’re missing out on an indescribable celebration. From the food to the concerts, Essence Festival of Culture is a can’t-miss event that happens every year during the Fourth of July weekend in the Big Easy.

This was the first in-person festival since July 2019 — before the Covid-19 pandemic forced countless cancellations across the board. That’s why this year felt extra special. It was basically the informal campaign for “we’re back outside, y’all!” Indeed, we are back outside and filled the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Caesar’s Superdome to the rafters. In fact, it’s been reported that this year was one of the highest grossing festivals in its 27-year history. Simply put, we were in the building!

If you’re looking to make unforgettable memories and have a wonderful time, don’t miss out on next year’s festivities. I’m sure it’s going to be bigger and better than the last!

Check out my top six reasons to attend the annual Essence Festival of Culture:

essence-eats-food-festival

Delectable creole cuisine 
Good food is virtually synonymous with New Orleans. If you’re in the Crescent City for Essence Fest, just know that your taste buds are in for a treat. With scrumptious dishes like seafood gumbo, spicy jambalaya, fried fish, char-grilled oysters , and of course sweet beignets offered at just about every turn, die-hard foodies will be in heaven. Essence Eats, a food and wine festival within the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centers puts a lot of popular vendors under one roof. Convenient, right? Attendees get to see cooking demos with some of their favorite chefs, media personalities and other culinary stars. Essence Fest is a one-stop shop for learning new recipes and getting your grub on.
janet-jackson-essence-fest

Unmatched musical acts  
What’s a party without music? The Essence Festival of Culture got its start as a jazz festival and has since morphed into a melting pot of Black music. This year’s headliners included Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson and all six members of New Edition. If that wasn’t enough, old-school hip-hop acts like Nas, The Roots, The Lox, and the iconic Lil Kim, all took center stage. Plus, newer R&B artists like Summer Walker, Lucky Daye, Jazmine Sullivan, Chloe x Halle, and more put on stellar shows every night during the festival. If a mix of new and old tunes sounds like music to your ears, the Essence Festival of Culture is where you need to be.

essence-fest-shopping

Black-owned shopping experience 
We know our worth and the value of our hard-earned dollars. That’s why it’s so important to buy Black and put that money back into our communities. The Essence Festival of Culture makes it easy for us to support our own businesses. From beauty to fashion, the festival showcases some of the best retailers from people who make products with us in mind. Vendors like The PuffCuff and Issa Rae’s new hair care brand Sienna Naturals were on full display at this year’s event. Countless vendors from across the country descend on the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center year after year to bring Black women and our families the goods we need to keep us looking and feeling our best.

karla-pope-disney-essence-fest-2022

Unmistakable Disney magic
As a longtime partner and sponsor, Disney has had a presence at every Essence Fest that I’ve attended. While I can’t guarantee that they’ll be back next year or beyond, it is highly likely. Disney gives festival attendees a magical experience that only they can bring. From free ears to fun giveaways, it’s my favorite booth at the convention center and for good reason. It brings out the kid and me and satiates my ongoing desire to be at one of their awesome parks. It brings Disney to New Orleans and always with optimism and relevance to the Black community.

essence-fest-panels

Empowering panels and discussions 
From a crash course in finances to politics to relationship advice, Essence Fest delivers on enriching, thought-provoking panels, roundtables and interviews. This year, special guests included Lala Anthony, Stacey Abrams, Lala Milan and a host of others. If you want to learn about how to be a power playing, stack your cash and give back to your community, this event is a sure bet.

karla-pope-essence-fest-joy

Good vibes and pure joy  
Whenever we’re in large groups, there’s an unspoken feeling of kinship and community. Essence Fest is no different, and quite frankly is the epitome of Black unity. It’s a big celebration for us and thankfully, by us…again since Richelieu Dennis is now the full owner of Essence Communications. New Orleans already has a welcoming vibe that I’ve never experienced in any other U.S. city and it’s on full display throughout the long weekend. You’ll see people smiling, starting conversations with strangers in line at the convention center, and happily offering recommendations for restaurants and what booths to hit up, etc. — there’s a strong sense of camaraderie and family that can’t be duplicated. Good vibes abound and you leave feeling carefree, calmer, and just all-around more joyful!

Have you ever attended Essence Fest? If so, how would you describe it?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, DE&I, Disney | 1 Comment

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Coming to Disney World and Disneyland in 2024

July 5, 2022

This past weekend was one for the books. For starters, I headed down to New Orleans to attend the Essence Festival of Culture. If you’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing the four-day event, it’s a fun-filled weekend bursting with uplifting activities, empowering panels, and of course, concerts all created with Black women in mind. Simply put, it’s a glorious celebration for us. 

That’s why it was the perfect place for Disney to explore the details around Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, one of the newest amusement ride attractions coming to Magic Kingdom in Orlando and Disneyland in California in late 2024. That’s right, our favorite Black princess (from “The Princess and the Frog”) who is fictionally based in the Big Easy is getting her own ride. 

I had the honor of attending the press event at Preservation Hall — one of the city’s most historic and popular music venues — where the attraction’s name was revealed and learned some fascinating facts about its creation. In case you didn’t know, authenticity is paramount for Disney. Their Imagineers (Disney’s spin on engineers), work tirelessly and comb through painstaking details to ensure that everything they develop is rooted in authenticity. 

tianas-bayou-adventure-browngirlgumbo

Pictured (L-R): Ted Robledo, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering and Stella Chase, daughter of the late Chef Leah Chase who inspired Tiana’s story.

From an alligator’s slithering movement to New Orleans’ unique vibe and environment, the Imagineers relentlessly researched and studied real-life in the bayou — essentially leaving no lilypad unturned. They worked closely with local experts and individuals like Stella Chase,  the daughter of the late, legendary chef Leah Chase — who was also a panelist at the event — to ensure the ride accurately depicts the setting and stays true to the city in which the movie was inspired. 

Disney Park guests can look forward to seeing the next chapter of Tiana’s life as the attraction, which is a reimagining of Magic Kingdom’s Splash Mountain, takes riders on a musical journey inspired by the beloved film. 

karla-pope-tianas-bayou-adventure-event-new-orleans

“Picking up where the film left off, guests will join Princess Tiana, Naveen and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure through the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome,” Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development – Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies at Disney wrote in a recent Disney Park’s blog post. “Along the way, guests will encounter familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou to original music inspired by songs from the film as they are brought into the next chapter of Tiana’s story.”

After learning about the details, attendees were treated to a surprise rendition of “Dig a Little Deeper,” performed by famed actor and prolific entertainer Jenifer Lewis. For the uninitiated, Lewis provided the voice of Mama Odie in “The Princess and the Frog” movie.  

tianas-bayou-adventure-karla-pope-browngirlgumbo

Overall it was an incredible event that exquisitely showcased the beauty of New Orleans coupled with the magic of Disney. My family and I can’t wait to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in late 2024! 

Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, DE&I, Disney, Travel, travel & liefstyle, Travel & Lifestyle | 4 Comments

Things to See: ‘Making the Nations Table’ Exhibition at the Africa Center in New York City

June 17, 2022

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of viewing the Making the Nation’s Table, exhibition at the Africa Center in partnership with the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) in East Harlem. I’d been wanting to make my way uptown and check it out since it first opened back in February, but never found the time. 

I’m so glad that I finally made room for it on my calendar.  

The exhibition was nothing short of amazing. As the first major exhibition celebrating African American contributions to our national culinary identity, it is an extraordinary and groundbreaking display. 

Making the Nations Table exhibition hosted by the Africa Center in partnership with MOFAD. Photo by Clay Williams Photos by Clay Williams. © Clay Williams / http://claywilliamsphoto.com

Making the Nations Table exhibition hosted by the Africa Center in partnership with MOFAD. Photo by C
© Clay Williams

Curated by Dr. Jessica B. Harris, who is widely considered the world’s preeminent expert on the foods of the African diaspora, the exhibition features a variety of interactive and immersive experiences. 

Upon entry, my eyes were immediately drawn to the sprawling (it stands 14 feet tall and nearly 28 feet wide) legacy quilt. Composed of 406 blocks sewn into a vast tapestry and representation of African American contributions to the fabric of American cuisine. The intricate patchwork is exquisite and the details are unmatched. I spotted several familiar faces such as beloved television personality and chef Carla Hall, New Orleans creole legend Leah Chase, New York Magazine food writer Nikita Richardson and countless other trailblazers worthy of praise and recognition in the culinary space. 

MOFAD-Legacy-Quilt

Images of several blocks from the Legacy Quilt collaged together. Photo courtesy of Harlem Needle Arts and Adrian Franks.

The Legacy Quilt also includes an interactive, virtual experience whereby people can submit their own stories of African American culinary heroes to add—emphasizing that these culinary histories are not finite, that the work of documenting and celebrating them is ongoing. 

Visitors are then carried through four centuries of influence on agriculture, culinary arts, brewing and distilling, and commerce. The movement of people—whether enslaved Africans across the Atlantic or over six million Black Americans from the South to the North during the Great Migration—and in turn, their food traditions across place and time, is a central theme of the exhibition. 

Another highlight is a dynamic interactive feature that replicates a dinner table. It allows users to unlock stories of migration, movement, cultural evolution, and the feeling of sharing a meal with friends and family. 

For me, the crowning jewel was the Ebony magazine Test Kitchen. It was like walking into a psychedelic wonderland. Outfitted in its original 1970s design, the test kitchen was up for demolition in 2018, but was thankfully saved and fully restored for this exhibition. The space was worthy of preservation due to its historical relevance in African American lives and our kitchens. It was the place where recipes were made and shared with countless Ebony readers every month. 

ebony-test-kitchen.jpg

The Ebony magazine test kitchen. Photo by Francis Dzikowski for MOFAD

Described by The Chicago Tribune as “the most distinctive test kitchen ever created,” it was the site where recipes from Ebony food editors—from oyster gumbo to sweet potato pudding—came together for the iconic “A Date With A Dish” column. The multi-sensory experience also features a soul-stirring soundtrack curated by musician, farmer, and chef Kelis, and video interviews with former Ebony food editors. 

ebony-test-kitchen.jpg

Ebony magazine test kitchen. Photo by Francis Dzikowski

Simply put, the magazine played a tremendous role in expanding people’s perceptions of African American cuisine.

From farmers to mixologists, the exhibition puts the spotlight on individual’s stories as it emphasizes and underscores the fact that African American food is American food. If you’re in the NYC area, please check it out before it closes on Juneteenth (June 19, 2022).

The Africa Center is located, 1280 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029.

For tickets and more information, please visit MOFAD.

What is your favorite dish to make for your family? 

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 2 Comments

The Tupac Shakur Estate Opens Powamekka Café Pop-Up Restaurant in Los Angeles

June 16, 2022

Today would’ve been Tupac Shakur’s 51st birthday. Although his life was cut short at the tender age of 25, his legacy continues to live on. 

While the iconic actor, rapper and prolific poet accomplished many things in his short lifetime, he still had countless aspirations that he didn’t live to see come to fruition — opening a restaurant was one of them. That’s why the Tupac Shakur Estate is making it their business to carry out some of the late artist’s dreams.  

In honor of his birthday, they just opened a limited-edition Los Angeles location of Tupac’s Powamekka Café, his original restaurant concept in partnership with Fixins Soul Kitchen located across from the “Wake Me When I’m Free” museum at LA Live, which I had the pleasure of visiting earlier this year. 

A quarter of a century has passed since Tupac conceptualized Powamekka Café. A place for all to “play and parlay,” the Powamekka Café, representing the finest in “down home Southern,” was to serve as a place for friends and family to get together and “escape the worldz cold reality.”

tupac-powamekka-cafe

His vision first came to life in 2018 in New York’s Lower East Side, with Powamekka Café taking over John Seymour and Nas’ Sweet Chick restaurant on Ludlow Street for two days. Now, Powamekka Café, Los Angeles, will once again give Tupac’s friends, family and fans a chance to revisit his vision.

Straight from the handwritten pages of one of his many notebooks, currently on display at the exhibit, Tupac’s concept is brought to life by including his favorite items from the menu he created including meatloaf, gumbo and his cousin Jamala’s fried chicken wings. These sure-to-be delectable offerings will be a nice complement to the restaurant’s premium soul food menu.

tupac-notebooks-powamekka-cafe

Many of Tupac’s notebooks filled with concepts, scripts, video treatments, poems, raps and more are on display at the “Wake Me When I’m Free” museum at L.A Live in Los Angeles.

The Powamekka Café pop-up will be located at 800 W Olympic Blvd A150 in Los Angeles for two weeks from June 16 – June 30th.

Monday – Thursday : 11:00AM – 9:00PM
Fridays:  11:00AM – 11:00PM
Saturdays:  10:00AM – 11:00PM
Sunday:  10:00AM – 9:00PM

Reservations will be available via OpenTable. 

Which of the menu items would you order from the Powamekka Café? 

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 2 Comments

The Lilly Awards Foundation Launches The Lorraine Hansberry Initiative

May 20, 2022

When I was in elementary school, I vividly recall doing a report on Lorraine Hansberry in celebration of Black History Month. I remember choosing the acclaimed playwright because I’ve always been intrigued by writers of all kinds. So, researching and writing about the first African American woman to have a play produced on Broadway (“A Raisin in the Sun”), who happened to come from my hometown of Chicago, was beyond rewarding. 

That’s why I’m super excited to share the news that the Lilly Awards Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to celebrate the work of women in the theater and promote gender parity at all levels — announced the launch of the Lorraine Hansberry Initiative, which aims to honor the great American playwright and civil rights leader’s legacy while investing in those following in her footsteps.

The initiative includes a statue of Hansberry that will tour the nation in 2022-2023 to raise public awareness of the full breadth of her work and teachings. The statue, created by the renowned sculptor Alison Saar, is entitled “To Sit Awhile,” and features the figure of Hansberry surrounded by five bronze chairs, each representing a different aspect of her life and work. The life-size chairs are an invitation to the public to do just that: sit with her and think. 

Lorraine Hansberry Initiative

Courtesy: The Lilly Foundation

Additionally, the Lorraine Hansberry Initiative has created a scholarship to make sure that the next generation is able to follow in Hansberry’s footsteps, regardless of race, gender, or economic situation. This singular grant will be primarily intended to cover the living expenses of three female and/or non-binary dramatic writers of color entering graduate school, with two additional recipients added each year. Each recipient will receive $25,000 for each year of their education, ensuring that they have protected time to write, work with collaborators, and benefit from the guidance of professional mentors in their respective fields. 

“One can draw a straight line from the issue of real estate and racial discrimination that Hansberry pointed to so clearly in ‘A Raisin in the Sun,’ to the generational wealth gap that is preventing women of color, specifically Black women, from following in her footsteps today,” Julia Jordan, the Lillys executive director said in a statement. 

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage added, “We know that graduate school is the primary gateway to a career as a dramatic writer. In my twenty years of teaching at the graduate level, I have had only four Black female students. If we want theater to tell the full story of humanity, we need to nurture the full breadth of talent.”

The statue’s tour will include three installations in New York, followed by a national tour of major cities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In each city, the Initiative will work with local theaters and social justice organizations to showcase the work of contemporary writers of color concurrent with the sculpture’s placement.

The full NYC tour stops are as follows:

♦ Times Square: June 9th – 12th (unveiling will take place on June 9th) 

♦ The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: June 13th – 18th

♦ Brooklyn Bridge Park: June 23rd – 29th

Additional supporting NYC events include:

♦ The New Victory Theater will host Speak Up, Act Out: Celebrating Student Voices (Inspired by The Lorraine Hansberry Initiative Dramatic Writing Showcase) on June 9th.

♦ The Museum of the City of New York will present a panel, titled The Playwright as Activist, on June 13th as part of their Freedom Week programming, which will feature a conversation between playwrights Lynn Nottage, Lisa Kron, and Erika Dickerson-Despenza.

♦ The Drama Book Shop will be dedicating their display space for the month of June to works by and about Hansberry and contemporary writers of color.

Following the NYC installations, the tour will stop in cities across the country, including Philadelphia, Detroit, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. As the birthplace of Hansberry and the setting of “A Raisin in the Sun,” Chicago will enjoy an enhanced and permanent installation in 2023.

This is an amazing initiative for Black female writers and individuals who appreciate Hansberry’s cultural impact.  I can’t wait to see the statue and attend some of the activations and events taking place in New York City.

To learn more about the Lorraine Hansberry Initiative, please click here. 

I saw the Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun” back in 2004. Have you ever seen the play or watched the film adaptation?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, DE&I | 3 Comments

Magical Memories: Interview with Disney Dreamer Kayla Nelson

April 11, 2022

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a month since I attended and covered the 2022 Disney Dreamers Academy in Orlando, FL. The 4-day event and mentoring program hosted by Walt Disney World Resort was an unforgettable experience for me, so I can only imagine the positive impact it had on the 100 teenagers from across the country who were accepted into the coveted program.

Having the chance to unlock their imaginations and dream big with the encouragement and support of mentors at “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” was an experience I’m sure they will never forget.

For Kayla Nelson, a high school senior from the suburbs of Chicago, being a Disney Dreamer was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that she’ll forever cherish. I had a chance to catch up with the dedicated basketball player and aspiring educator to hear about her memorable experience.

Below, check out our Q&A:

Disney Dreamers Academy 2022

Photo by Todd Anderson

BGG: How would you describe the Disney Dreamers Academy in three words? 
Kayla Nelson: Inspirational, informative and fun!

BGG: How did you hear about the program? What was the application process like for you?
KN: I heard about the program through my mom. She told me to apply and I did. I had to answer a couple questions about my aspirations and why I wanted to accomplish these things and how I would make them happen.

BGG: Tell me how you felt when you found out you were selected to be one of the 100 students to attend the 2022 Dreamers Academy? What were your first thoughts?
KN: When I first found out, I was definitely excited but also nervous because I had no idea what to expect. The first things that came to mind was what I was going to wear and how my teachers would react because they knew about my application. So overall, I was extremely excited and overwhelmed.

BGG: Had you ever visited Walt Disney World prior to the mentoring program? If not, did it live up to your expectations? If so, how? 
KN: Prior to the Dreamers Academy, I hadn’t visited Walt Disney World. While I was there I was extremely overwhelmed by how much there was to do. Between the four parks and the fireworks shows, Walt Disney World definitely lived up to my expectations. My teachers and friends had been telling me that I would have so much fun. They told me what rides to get on and they didn’t lead me down the wrong path! 

BGG: Can you share your most memorable moment from the entire event?
KN: My biggest highlight was meeting Kelly Rowland. I got the opportunity to talk to her and get a picture, which had me a little star struck. But getting the opportunity to talk to her and have a conversation with the one and only Kelly Rowland was truly the highlight. 

kelly-rowland-disney-dreamers

BGG: Have you kept in touch with any of the other Dreamers?
KN: I’ve kept in touch with a lot of the other Dreamers. I text them all the time and they comment on my pictures and I do as well. It’s really like a family that we have and it’s funny because we were only around each other for four days.

BGG: What was the most surprising thing that you learned from attending the Disney Dreamers Academy?
KN: The most surprising thing I learned was how many jobs there are for people within the Walt Disney Company. This whole time I just thought it was the typical amusement park where you have the people who operate the machines and the people who let people into the park etc., but there was so much more within the company that makes it more than just a TV channel or an amusement park.

BGG: What advice would you give someone who hopes to be selected to participate in this program? 
KN: My advice would be to just go for it! There were so many doubts in my head when my mom first told me about it like maybe my dream isn’t big enough, or what if i don’t get picked, but looking back I wish someone would’ve told me not to worry and to just do it. 

disney-dreamers-2022

Photo by Todd Anderson

BGG: What was your biggest takeaway from this experience? 
KN: I learned that my dream is big enough. I also learned to persevere through the setbacks because my time will come and when the time comes to take it head on. 

BGG: What is your dream for the future?
KN: My dream is to become a teacher within two years of me graduating college. I want to become a history teacher because I feel like history is one of  the most important subjects simply because it forces conversation and allows students to see other perspectives. 

BGG: How do you hope to change the world and make it a better place? 
KN: I hope to change the world starting with teaching  students history. Teaching students history will show students how the world has evolved. With students knowing and understanding how the world has evolved for the better will hopefully give students the push to evolve themselves and contribute to making the world a better place.

For more information about the Disney Dreamers Academy, check out the program’s official website.

Are you a mentor or did you have a mentor as a high school or college student?  

Category: Arts and Entertainment, DE&I, Disney, Interviews | 2 Comments