Ongoing
REMEMBERING KING -- The Reginald F. Lewis Maryland Museum of African American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt St., is showcasing From the Ashes of a Dream: Race and Revitalization Since MLK, a reflection on the 40th anniversary of the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Through April 27. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 443-263-1800 or africanamericancul ture.org.
AFRICAN ART -- The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, is showcasing its third installment of the Meditations on African Art series, which highlights the use of pattern in textiles, carved ivories, painted shields and body adornment. Through Aug. 17. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free. 443-573-1700 or artbma.org.
April 6
HAIR CARE GALORE -- The Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo, which takes place 11 a.m.-9 p.m., features vendors, classes, lectures, performances and more. The event takes place at the Pikesville Armory, 610 Reisterstown Road. $10. 410-298-0660 or baltimorenaturalhaircareex po.com.
DOUBLE DOSE -- Hip-hop soul diva Mary J. Blige and multiplatinum-selling rapper Jay-Z perform together on the "Mary J. Blige & Jay-Z: Heart of the City" tour at 7:30 p.m. at Verizon Center, 601 F St. N.W., Washington. $49.75-$150.75. 202-661-5000 or veri zoncenter.com.
April 7
CD PARTY -- Marcus Miller, a two-time Grammy Award winner and critically acclaimed bassist, producer and writer, celebrates the release of his new CD, Marcus, at Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, as part of his Marcus Miller CD Release Tour. Shows begin at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. $35. 410-268-4545 or ramshead live.com.
April 11
RENEWING THE SPIRIT -- The Richard Smallwood/Tye Tribbett Gospel Celebration at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., features prominent Christian artists and a lot of spirit. The performance begins at 7 p.m. $30-$45. 410-347-2020 or balti morearena.com.
April 12
COLLECTOR'S SHOW -- Buy historical artifacts and documents, paintings, books, toys, dolls, photos, art, posters and more at the Greater Washington DC Black Memorabilia & Collectibles Show. The event runs 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg. $6. Children 12 and younger free. 301-649-1915 or john sonshows.com.
FOODIES -- Food historian Michael Twitty will talk about how African-American foodways in the Chesapeake regions are connected to the Caribbean, Brazil and Spanish America at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Free with museum admission. 443-263-1800 or africanamerican culture.org.
April 13
FUNK CONCERT -- The Original Superstars of Jazz Fusion, with renowned vibraphone player Roy Ayers, performs at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. $55. 410-268-4545 or ramsheadtavern.com.
"AMISTAD" -- The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St., will show Amistad, Spielberg's 1997 film about a mutiny on a slave ship and the trial of the man who started the revolt, at 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. 443-263-1800 or african americanculture.org.
April 18
DOO WOP -- The Lyric Opera House hosts "Richard Nader presents Doo Wop II" with "the Duke of Earl" Gene Chandler; the Drifters featuring Charlie Thomas; Jay Siegel, original lead of the Tokens; and Kenny Vance & the Planotones at 8 p.m. The Lyric is at 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. $60-$75. 410-547-7328 or lyricoperahouse.com.
April 19
RAP CONCERT -- Grammy-winning rap artist T-Pain performs at UMBC's Retriever Athletic Center, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Catonsville. Doors open at 7 p.m. $15-$25. 410-547-7328 or ticket master.com.
HISTORY LESSON -- Learn how archaeologists study the lives of slaves and see 250-year-old artifacts. Historical archaeologist Patricia Samford leads the event at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Free with museum admission. Registration required. 443-263-1800 or africanamerican culture.org.
April 24
JAZZ -- Moonlighting by the Rippingtons, featuring Grammy-nominated guitarist Russ Freeman, earned the label "most influential contemporary jazz album of all time" from Jazziz magazine. The groundbreaking group performs at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. $39.50. 410-268-4545 or ramshead live.com.
April 25
COMEDY -- Comedian and radio personality Steve Harvey performs at Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. N.W., Washington, through tomorrow. Shows begin at 8 p.m. $55. 202-628-1776 or ticketmaster.com.
April 26
WAXING POETIC -- The Spoken Word Poetry Slam at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St., features several artists. The event runs 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. $5. 443-263-1800 or africanamericanculture.org.
April 29
"PURPLE" PLAY -- Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, the traveling stage show based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, runs through May 18 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St. Times vary. $34-$80. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com.
May 1
PICTURES -- An exhibit of works by James Van Der Zee, a widely acclaimed Harlem Renaissance photographer, whom many consider one of the most important African-American photographers, opens at the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St., and runs through May 31. Museum hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Free. 410-225-3130 or eubieblake.org.
May 2
"SAY AMEN SOMEBODY" -- Soulful Symphony, an African-American orchestra and chorus that combines gospel, soul, classical music and jazz, performs tonight at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, and tomorrow at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Performances start at 8 p.m. $18-$58. 410-783-8000 or bsomusic.org.
May 4
MUMMIES IN EGYPT -- Salima Ikram, a professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, will give a lecture titled "From Human to Divine: Mummies in Ancient Egypt" at the Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Graham Auditorium. $10. 410-547-9000 or thewalters.org.
May 8
BLACK AFFAIRS -- The first State of Black Baltimore Conference & Whitney M. Young, Jr. Dinner takes place at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, 700 Aliceanna St. The conference, which addresses various issues that confront African-Americans, runs from 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m. The dinner, which includes entertainment, begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. $225 for admission to both events; $125 for dinner only. 410-523-8150 or bul.org.
May 10
KING OF COMEDY -- D.L. Hughley, comedian, former sitcom star and member of "The Original Kings of Comedy," performs at 8 p.m. at Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. N.W., Washington. $55. 202-628-1776 or ticket master.com.
May 17
MOVIE TIME -- Watch a variety of films that explore the environments and historic sites that have played significant roles in African-American culture and history at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum's third annual Black Film Showcase. The museum is at 830 E. Pratt St. The event also runs on May 24 and May 31. Hours are 1 p.m.-3 p.m. each day. $8 per viewing. 443-263-1800 or africanamerican culture.org.
May 21
Freedom Storytime -- The event features a reading of the book Ellington Was Not a Street by Ntozake Shang and displays of artifacts and a creative activity. It begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Orleans Street Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, 1303 Orleans St. Free. Registration required. 410-396-0970 or prattlibrary.org.