October 12, 2008
OCT. 12
"The Clean Up Woman" JD Lawrence's new stage play and dramedy, The Clean Up Woman, stars Jackee Harry, Telma Hopkins, Christopher Williams and George Wilborn. 8 p.m. at Morgan State University, Murphy Fine Arts Center, 2201 Argonne Drive. $39. 443-885-4440 or murphyfineartscenter.org.

"Bent Twig" opera The Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore performs excerpts from Bent Twig, written by African-American composers Helen Roberts and Arlein Straw. 2 p.m. at the Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Free. 2 p.m. 410-547-9000, ext. 238. Registration is recommended.

African dance concert Sankofa Dance Theater Concerts present demonstrations of African singing, dancing, storytelling and drumming. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. today and Oct. 19 at the Sankofa Center for Cultural Enrichment, 2901 Druid Park Drive. Free. 410-669-3786 or sankofadancetheater.net.

Thurgood's Baltimore: The Education of a Revolutionary, 1908-1938 It's the last day to view this exhibit about native Baltimorean and Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall. The exhibit, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Marshall's birth, explores his efforts to end Jim Crow and the influence of the 19th-century civil rights era on him. Noon-5 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt St. $6-$8, free for children younger than 6. 443-263-1800.

OCT. 15
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar The legendary basketball player and author of six books speaks at 8 p.m. at Shriver Hall on the Johns Hopkins University's Homewood campus, 3400 N. Charles St. Free. 443-287-9960.

OCT. 17
Legends of Hip Hop II Hip-hop stars Slick Rick and KRS One perform at 7 p.m. at the Hippodrome Theatre at France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. $55.99-$64.99. 410-752-7444 or ticketmaster.com.

Savion Glover The Tony Award-winning dancer, choreographer and actor performs at 8 p.m. at the Warner Theatre, 1299 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington. $39-$69. 202-785-9727 or wpas.org.

OCT. 18
Gospel concert Contemporary gospel artist Fred Hammond performs in the Summer Praise "Slam-In" Hammond gospel concert, which was postponed in July, at 7 p.m. at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. $18.50-$38.50. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com.

Bootsy Collins Tribute to James Brown Return to the '70s at this tribute to James Brown by Bootsy Collins, former bass guitarist in George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic band. 8 p.m. at Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place. $40-$45. 410-244-1131 or tickets.ramsheadlive.com.

OCT. 19
Method Man and Redman Rappers Method Man and Redman, original members of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, perform their brand of East Coast hip-hop. 8 p.m. at Sonar, 407 E. Saratoga St. $25-$30. 410-327-8333 or ticketmaster.com.

OCT. 26
An Evening with Maysa The jazz singer, songwriter and native Baltimorean performs in a concert with jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley. 7 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. $27.50-$47.50. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com.

David Alan Grier The award-winning actor and comedian speaks at 8 p.m. at Shriver Hall on the Johns Hopkins University's Homewood campus, 3400 N. Charles St. $25. 443-287-9960.

NOV. 1
Comedy show Comedian Rickey Smiley, known for putting on a show that's appropriate for young and old ears alike, performs with John Witherspoon. 8 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. $37.50-$47.50. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com.

"Tears in My Eyes" In this play produced by J. Miller and Precise Productions Co., the members of a "normal" black family find their lives turned upside down by various events. 7:30 p.m. (and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2) at Morgan State University, Murphy Fine Arts Center, 2201 Argonne Drive. $20-$25. 443-885-4440 or murphyfineartscenter.org.

NOV. 3
Movie and a Martini Strictly Business, starring Tommy Davidson, Joseph Phillips and Halle Berry, is followed by a panel discussion about relationships. Discussion topic: Can you mix business with pleasure in love? 8 p.m. at the Charles Theatre, 1711 N. Charles St. $15. 410-727-3456 or movieandamartini.com.

NOV. 7
First Friday Music Series Spend an evening with the Eric Kennedy Quartet, a group influenced by artists such as George Benson and Kenny Burrell. 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt St. $15-$20. 443-263-1800.

NOV. 8
Alzheimer's Forum The Greater Maryland chapter of the Alzheimer's Association presents the Pythias A. and Virginia I. Jones African American Community Forum on Memory Loss. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Coppin State University, 2500 W. North Ave. Free. Register in advance. 410-561-9099 or alz.org/maryland.

Cassandra Wilson Known for her sultry and haunting voice, the Grammy Award- winner performs at 8 p.m. at the Warner Theatre, 1299 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington. $40-$58. 202-397-7328 or ticketmaster.com.

NOV. 15
"Hard Times at Douglass High" This documentary film that first aired on HBO gives a stark look one troubled Baltimore school. Isabelle Grant, the Douglass principal featured in the film, is scheduled to give a talk about disparities in education. Noon-3:30 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. The event is in conjunction with the museum exhibition Courage: The Vision to End Segregation, the Guts to Fight for It. The museum is at 830 E. Pratt St. $6-$8. 443-263-1800.

Anthony Hamilton The soul artist, who has been likened to Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield, performs at 10 p.m. at Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place. $29.50-$35. 410-244-1131 or tickets.ramsheadlive.com.

NOV. 28
Old School Jam Featuring The Manhattans Enjoy the classic, soulful sounds and ballads of one of the originators of today's R&B. The Manhattans will be accompanied by Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr., Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly, and Stephanie Mills. 7 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. $60- $72.50. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com

DEC. 6
Reginald F. Lewis Museum Gala The museum's celebration honors philanthropists Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown and features entertainment by Ashford and Simpson, and Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. 7 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. 443-263-1801.