Category Archives: Entertainment

African American History, Business, Community, Entertainment, Front, Lifestyle, News

Houston Sun Foundation Presents its 10th Annual African American Parade and Symposium

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Dorris Ellis Robinson, president and founder of the Houston Sun Newspaper and the Houston Sun Foundation

 

Dorris Ellis Robinson’s Statement

10th Annual African American History and Symposium Statement

Good morning, Houston, Media Friends, Houston Sun Foundation Steering Committee, our beloved Houston community.

Thank you for your presence and help in getting the message to our cherished community.

” Today our beloved community stand at a pivotal moment in America’s history as the Houston Sun Foundation come announcing its 10th annual African American History Parade and Symposium,” said Dorris Ellis, president and founder of the Houston Sun and the Houston Sun Foundation.

She continued, “Americans are at the intersection of African American history, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the theme of discussion for African American History Month is “African Americans and Labor”.”

Dr. Gilbert Rochon, interim Dean of the Barbara Jordan -Mickey Leland School of Public, Dorris Ellis Robinson, political science professor at TSU and publisher -editor of the Houston Sun and founder of the African American History Parade and Symposium and Claude Cummings, Grand Marshal for the 10th Annual African American History Parade. Cummings is the frist African America President of the International Communications of America, a 78-year-old organization.

Left to right– Dr. Gilbert Rochon, Interim Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Dorris Ellis Robinson, Claude Cummings, Parade Grand Marshal and International President of the Communications Workers of America. Cummings is the first African American president in the organization’s 78 -year history.  (Sun photo/Jerome Timmons).

The 10th Annual African American History and Parade is

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Staging at Texas and Hamilton on the Southeast corner of Daikin Park at 8 a.m.

Kickoff 10 AM

Grand Marshal, Claude Cummings, President of the International Communications Workers of America. He is the first African American to serve as its leader in the 78th years of the organization.

Immediately following the parade, the lunch and Symposium will be held at Texas Southern University in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.

Walter McCoy Auditorium, Room 114

12:30-4 p.m.

$10 parking or street parking

The Symposium is FREE and opened to the public and speakers will discuss African Americans and Labor. Among the speakers are Claude Cummings, International President, Communications Workers of America and others.

In 2025 America has a rich area for exploration. Here are several key points that illustrate this intersection:

  1. Historical Context of Labor

–Slave Labor: The foundation of African American labor history is rooted in the brutal system of slavery, where enslaved Africans were forced into labor without compensation. Understanding this history is crucial for addressing ongoing disparities.

– Post-Emancipation: After the Civil War, many African Americans sought better labor conditions, often facing systemic barriers such as sharecropping, discrimination, and lack of access to education and resources.

  1. Labor Movements and Activism

– Union Involvement: African Americans have played significant roles in labor movements, advocating for rights and better working conditions. Their contributions to unions and strikes highlight the importance of inclusivity in labor history.

– Civil Rights and Labor Rights: The fight for civil rights was often intertwined with labor rights, as activists worked to dismantle both racial and economic injustices. Understanding this connection can inform current DEI efforts.

  1. Economic Inequality and Structural Barriers

– Disparities in Employment: African Americans have historically faced barriers to employment, wage disparities, and underrepresentation in many sectors. Addressing these inequities is essential for fostering a more inclusive workforce.

– Access to Opportunities: DEI initiatives aim to create equitable access to job opportunities, training, and advancement, which are critical for addressing the historical injustices faced by African Americans in the labor market.

  1. The Role of Policy and Legislation

– Labor Laws: Analyzing legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and its impact on African Americans can highlight ongoing challenges and the need for policies that promote equity.

– Affirmative Action: Policies designed to increase representation and support for marginalized groups in the labor market are vital for addressing historical inequalities.

Contemporary Relevance

– Workplace Diversity: Today, many organizations are recognizing the need for diverse workplaces. Understanding the historical context of African American labor can enhance DEI initiatives and promote meaningful inclusion.

– Cultural Contributions: African Americans have significantly influenced various industries, from arts and entertainment to technology and entrepreneurship. Celebrating these contributions fosters a more inclusive narrative in labor history.

  1. Education and Awareness

– Curriculum Development: Incorporating African American labor history into educational programs can raise awareness and foster understanding of the systemic issues that have shaped the current labor landscape.

– Community Engagement: Engaging communities in discussions about African American labor history can empower individuals and promote advocacy for equity and inclusion.

In Conclusion, the intersection of African American history, DEI, and labor highlights the importance of recognizing past injustices while striving for a more equitable future. By understanding these connections, Americans can work towards creating inclusive environments that honor the contributions of African Americans in the labor force and address the systemic barriers they continue to face.

Event sponsors are EMPA, SOPA, Dept. Political Science and Public Administration, The Houston Sun, and Norma Huger.

(AI was used in the research of this statement).

 

African American History, Education, Entertainment, Front, News

Local artist, Floyd Newsum, mourned

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The University of Houston-Downtown Mourns the Loss of Visionary Art Professor Floyd Newsum
 A person standing in front of a paintingDescription automatically generated HOUSTON (Aug. 20, 2024) – The news of the unexpected passing of Art Professor Floyd Newsum on Wednesday, Aug. 14, sent a shockwave throughout the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) community. Through 48 years of service to the university, Professor Newsum touched thousands of lives, not only as an exceptional art teacher, but also as a mentor, colleague, friend, and tremendous supporter of the university beyond the classroom and into almost every aspect of the life of the greater community.

“Professor Newsum was more than an artist, more than a teacher,” said UHD President Loren J. Blanchard. “He was a connector, a motivating force who worked to touch lives every day and who brought people together in remarkable ways. His art was intricately linked with his desire to nurture young artists and invest in the next generation of change agents, not only here at UHD but also in the historic Third Ward of Houston and even in communities he visited when his art was on view.”

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Professor Newsum graduated from Memphis College of Art with a BFA in 1973 and from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with an MFA in 1975. He joined the UHD faculty in 1976, and over the years taught a variety of courses, including drawing, painting, printmaking and art appreciation, among others, in addition to coordinating the studio sections for UHD’s Art Department. In 2003, Professor Newsum received UHD’s Scholarship/Creativity Award in recognition of his contributions to visual art across a variety of media and thematic investigations. During his tenure at UHD, Professor Newsum created a wide range of work as a major local artist with a profound impact on the national contemporary visual arts scene.

His work is part of permanent collections at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C., the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.His numerous public art commissions include two Houston Metro Light Rail Station art designs, seven sculptures for Houston’s Main Street Square Station, four paintings in the UHD Commerce Street Building, a suspended sculpture for the lobby of the Acres Home Multi-Service Center in Houston, a relief sculpture in the Cathedral Atrium at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston and five suspended sculptures for the lobby of the Hazel Harvey Peace Building in Fort Worth, Texas.

His work has been displayed in more than 100 exhibitions across the United States, including the University of Maryland College Park, Taft Museum in Cincinnati, the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Professor Newsum was one of seven visionary African American artists who founded Project Row Houses (PRH) in the Third Ward in 1993. PRH is the nationally known nonprofit organization originally comprised of 22 Row Houses that “succeeds as a social sculpture when Black art, culture, and community are protected, promoted, elevated, and celebrated in new and vibrant ways.”As a co-founder of PRH, Professor Newsum worked with James Bettison, Bert Long Jr., Jesse Lott, Rick Lowe, Bert Samples, and George Smith to build an integral part of the arts community in the Third Ward, using row houses that were once modest homes for a rising affluent Black community. The co-founders established programs that not only supported Black art and culture but also built community.

Professor Newsum’s dedication to community engagement remained a central part of his personal mission throughout his career.From May through October 2023, Professor Newsum received his first large-scale retrospective, “Evolution of Sight,” at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison, Wisconsin. The exhibition was organized by guest curators Dr. Lauren Cross, Gail-Oxford Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Huntington in San Marino, California, and Mark Cervenka, UHD Professor of Art and O’Kane Gallery Director.

“Evolution of Sight” reflected on the artist’s entire practice, including paintings and models of public art commissions such as sculptures and relief installations, with each work transmitting the deeply personal history of the artist including symbolic references and often family photographs—all veiled by richly layered color and textures that create tactile surfaces. Newsum explained: “My career covers 50-plus years of creating works of art that are exploring color, marks, and surfaces in various mediums. I call my evolution in creativity a problem-solving event of expression of the soul.”UHD is planning a number of tributes in his memory, including an endowed scholarship: the Floyd Newsum Visionary Artist and Humanitarian Scholarship with a focus on art and social justice that will be available to students pursuing Art or Social Work degrees. Contributions for this scholarship may be made at https://giving.uh.edu/UHD/Newsum-Scholarship.

At the time of the “Evolution of Sight” exhibition, co-curator Mark Cervenka stated, “A comprehensive museum exhibition of Floyd Newsum’s art is long overdue. With a career emerging from the heart of the Civil Rights Movement in Memphis in the 1960s, Newsum’s layered works have consistently included both overt and subtle responses to civil rights issues. Newsum’s father, one of the first African American firefighters in the South, set an example and provided the impetus for one of Newsum’s primary symbols in the form of a ladder.”

“A bold often intensely colored palette, sometimes offset with collaged elements,” continued Cervenka, “provides a foundation both for works addressing broad cultural observations and those seeking the more intimate focus of spiritual awareness and a profound recognition of love and family.”In keeping with that description of his artistic vision, Professor Newsum will be best remembered by his colleagues, friends and students at the University of Houston-Downtown for his deep spirituality, sense of joyful purpose, and the love that he unselfishly shared with all who knew him.  For more information, please visit uhd.edu.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWNCelebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard.UHD educates approximately 12,000 students annually, boasts more than 67,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions:  No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. TheStockWatcher.com called UHD a “notable institution providing high-quality online MBA programs. … UHD ensures that its graduates are well-prepared to succeed in their chosen career paths.”The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu. 
Floyd Newsum and UHD art student AAliyah Norfleet, Photo Credit Mitchell LoperThird photo: Floyd Newsum, Photo Courtesy of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 


Entertainment, Lifestyle

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AND FIREWORKS THIS WEEKEND AT MOODY GARDENS “BEATS ON THE BEACH”

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Houston-based Band, A Sure Thing, is set to take the Palm Beach Stage on Saturday, July 6

GALVESTON, Texas — Enjoy live music and fireworks this weekend at Moody Gardens “Beats on the Beach”. A great night is something you can count on when the Houston-based band, A Sure Thing, takes the Palm Beach stage.  Know for their energetic and eclectic mix of rock, pop, funk, soul, and more will have guests dancing to favorites from the 50’s to today’s current hits.  

“Beats on the Beach” is a family-friendly event featuring live music suitable for all ages every Saturday night from June 15 to August 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Located at Palm Beach, guests will enjoy live entertainment while taking in the refreshing Gulf breeze and the mesmerizing water view of Offatts Bayou. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, making it the perfect summer celebration. Admission is $10 for adults and $15 for children, with free entry for children three and younger.

At Palm Beach, guests will enjoy the only white sand beach on Galveston Island and a variety of attractions. There’s something for everyone, from lounging beneath palm trees to cooling off in the 650-foot Lazy River, wave pool, or two 18-foot tower slides.

Palm Beach also features the popular Aquarium Adventure play area and interactive water games. The splash pad, an automated aquatic feature, provides endless fun with interactive dump buckets, spray arches, and fountains. For maximum relaxation, cabanas and loungers are available for rent.

Palm Beach is open daily through August 18, with weekend openings from August 24 to September 19. It 

offers Individual Tickets, Season Passes, and Annual Pass Plus Memberships. Children aged three and younger enter free. New this year, Palm Beach is included in the One-Day Value Pass. Visitors can also enjoy special savings:

  • Fun Day Monday: One free child admission with each adult admission. Valid: June 3 – August 12.
  • Taco Tuesday: $2 Tacos all Day. Valid: June 4 – August 13.
  • Wild Wednesday: $15 Palm Beach admission. Valid: June 5 – August 15.
Business, Entertainment

TSU’s Office of Continuing Education launches the Atty. Ricky Anderson Entertainment Law Institute

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The Office of Continuing Education has increased its online certificate programming with the addition of the Attorney Ricky Anderson Entertainment Law Institute Virtual Campus (ARAELI). The institute’s e-learning certificates are designed to prepare students and lifelong learners for today’s competitive global entertainment and media marketplace.

ARAELI is a customized, self-paced program. Featured courses include artist promotion and representation management, music publishing, production and distribution, recording, performance agreements, merchandising, touring film and television agreements, and “Music in Cyberspace”.

“Texas Southern University is committed to supporting and exceeding the changing needs of our students due to the steady growth of online education and degree programs,” said TSU President Austin Lane. “Full online degree programs provide more flexibility in achieving a college education for our diverse community of learners.”

“With online education rapidly developing and the number of online educational programs increasing, Texas Southern University is committed to supporting and exceeding the current needs of our full-time and part-time students,” said Attorney Ricky Anderson. “The fully online certificate programs provide even more flexibility in achieving an advanced education for our diverse community of learners.”

Enrollment for ARAELI began on January 26, 2018. The programs are taught by experienced faculty and will be delivered through a virtual campus learning management system for online, blended and web-enhanced courses. The Attorney Ricky Anderson Entertainment Law Institute is an educational partner with Aperion Global Institute.

Courses are available 24-hours a day, year-round through a self-paced e-learning licensed technology platform. ARAELI offers a flexible and accelerated online learning process for students and lifelong learners, within and outside the State of Texas.

Click here for a full listing of ARAELI programs and courses.

About ARAELI

The Attorney Ricky Anderson Entertainment Law Institute is an educational experience with prep tools for a career in the Entertainment Industry.  And for the novice, it’s an introduction to creative concepts for those with an interest in learning introductory information regarding the Entertainment Industry. https://www.atty-raeli.com

 

About Texas Southern University Office of Continuing Education

The Office of Continuing Education is Texas Southern University’s administrative unit for essentially delivering non-credit courses, but we also offer courses for college credit through our Weekend College for non-traditional students seeking a degree. More specifically, our unit is designed to meet identifiable community needs in lifelong learning and professional development by providing educational opportunities for all qualifying individuals.

Attorney Ricky Anderson Entertainment Law Institute™ is in partnership with Aperion Global Institute™

Business, Education, Entertainment, Lifestyle

At the Theatre: Front Porch Society plays at the Ensemble

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By Dorris Ellis

The Houston Sun

Front Porch Society is now playing at the Ensemble Theatre through June 4. Setting in a delta county of Quittman, Mississippi in the city of Marks, seven families come-and-go to the front porches of two delta homes where ladies ages 95-50s bring the world to the audience.

The Ensemble’s Saturday night audience was delighted to become a part of the Front Porch Society’s amen corner, for they responded to the cast as if they were invited to participated. Directed by the Ensemble’s theatre Artistic Director, Eileen J. Morris, she took the Chicago playwright, Melda Beaty’s script and rapt a world premiere opening for the Houston market where it is bound to be a success. The time of the show’s setting is November 2008 on the front porch of Carrie Honey’s, home, played by Michelle Harrell, where the ladies discuss news and information and find solutions to problems as they provide hope and guidance to the old-and-young.

Yes, the content is serious, but this cast of professionals which included Jason E. Carmichael (Towner),  the mail carrier, brought much laughter to the audience with its suspense, drama, storytelling and comedy.

Moreover, this play shows a line of compassion for the elderly as the community took care of Miss Martha, the former educator and three-times widower, and it helped to heal the pain and hurt of the 41-years of suffering of Miss Honey.

Supporting cast were: Kendrick “Kayb” Brown (Terrance), the determined high school senior; Gwen Harris (Ms. Maratha), the glue that kept the conversation civil who sat on the porch daily, Rachel Hemphill Dickson (Sister Stallworth) the spirited first lady of the church, Dannette Mcelory-Davis, (Alberta) the connected traveler and Tamara Siler (Winnie) the superstitious loquacious neighbor. This lively cast will amuse Houston audiences as it will make them think, reflect and project into the future.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Keith Sweat returns for limited engagement at the Flamingo

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Tickets to “Keith Sweat: Last Forever” July 5 – 22 to go on sale Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m. PT

(Black PR Wire) Las Vegas – After his successful debut in January, Keith Sweat announced he will return for an additional run of his limited engagement, “Keith Sweat: Last Forever,” in the Donny & Marie Showroom at Flamingo Las Vegas from July 5 through July 22, 2017.

In celebration of the 30th a

R&B artist Keith Sweat performs at the Flamingo
R&B artist Keith Sweat performs at the Flamingo

nniversary of Keith’s triple-platinum album, “Make It Last Forever,” the platinum-selling R&B singer and national radio personality will take the stage in Las Vegas and perform a variety of his notable hits including “I Want Her,” “Twisted” and “Nobody.”

 

“After an incredible run earlier this year, I could not wait to return to Las Vegas,” said Keith. “Fans came from all over the country to see me perform at the legendary Flamingo, and I’m more excited than ever to bring R&B back to the heart of The Strip.”

Tickets will go on sale to the public Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m. PT. A special presale will be held for Total Rewards members, the loyalty program of Flamingo Las Vegas’ parent company Caesars Entertainment, beginning Thursday, April 6 at 10 a.m. PT through Friday, April 7 at 10 p.m. The 12 performances going on sale are:

July: 5 – 8, 11, 13 – 15, 18, 20 – 22

Ticket prices begin at $59, plus applicable tax and fees. VIP seats including a meet and greet with Keith Sweat are also available. Tickets are available at any Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment Box Office, by phone at (702) 777-2782 or by visiting www.keithsweatvegas.com. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

Entertainment, Front, Lifestyle

Mirror of life awards set for Deluxe Theater

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Mirror of Life Awards coming March 11, 2017
Mirror of Life Awards coming March 11, 2017

The People’s Workshop in collaborative partnership with the TSU Department of Music presents the 2017 MOLA Awards, formerly known at the Sammy Awards. The event will be held on March 11, 7:30 p.m. at the the Deluxe Theater¸ 3303 Lyons Avenue near downtown Houston. In Grammy fashion, award winners have already been assessed and voted upon by a panel of arts and entertainment professionals. The line-up will also feature some of the hottest guest acts and celebrities as performers and presenters.
Beyonce, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Whalum, Robert Glasper and many more from their formative years, were beneficiaries of the Peoples’ Workshop Program of providing educational activities for practical training and exposure. It all started with Professor Howard Harris and a group of pop and jazz music composers at Texas Southern University. Later joined by great co-producers, inclusive of Judy Foston, the program grew to become the first multicultural arts organization of Houston featuring all ethnicities and cultures. Thus Professor Howard Harris named it the People’ Workshop, now aka People’s Family Workshop for the Arts.
Pre-event tickets, $15 general and $30 VIP, are available online through donations for the price of the ticket at the People’s Workshop website: www.pfwonline.org. Ticket reservations may also be made by calling (281) 923-6057.
Special guest artists will include the electrifying group, Vostra, and more. This year’s community honoree is TSU’s Dr. Merline Pitre, Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences and author of several books on African American subjects.

Community, Entertainment, Lifestyle, News

Juneteenth 2016 Pageant

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It was gathering of splendor and pageantry as girls and boys from area Houston schools showcased their talents in hopes of being crowned Miss and Mr. Juneteenth 2016 at the 8th Annual Mildred Johnson Miss Juneteenth Pageant presented by Friends of Emancipation Park and held at Trinity United Methodist Church.

A total of 18 contestants competed in the following categories (ages 3-5) Little Miss Juneteenth, (ages 6-9) Junior Miss Juneteenth, (ages 12 and up) Miss Juneteenth for the young ladies.  The young men, fell into two categories (ages 3-5) and (ages 5-12) Mr. Juneteenth and Mr. Handsome respectfully.

The pageant promotes community service, academic excellence, as well as encouraging poise and positive self-esteem.

In addition, the contestants were judge on their Juneteenth paper and poster competition. The four-judge panel also scored the contestants on their One-on-One interviews which was conducted immediately after each of them took to the stage to showcase their pageant-walk.

There were 18 contestants in four categories.  Addison DeBoest, Kainaan Jones and Faith White represented the Girls 3-5 Year Olds.  Next was the 6-9 Yearl Olds Girls.  The participants were Olivia Rogers, Symone Jones, Yanni White, Zoriyah Mack, Za’nya Forsey and Zanora Dorsey.  The older girls category 12 and Up participants were Raven Jacson, Kayla Ceasar and Terykah Lewis.

The Boys 5-12 year participants were O’ryan Rogers, Cornelius White, Jakiyea Mack, Jaylon Mack, Lawrence See and LeMarcus Thomas.

A total of five titles were awarded in the Miss Juneteenth 2016 Pageant, where Raven Jackson,12 earned the title of Miss Juneteenth, Addison DeBoest, 6 won Junior Miss Juneteenth and Kainaan Jones, 5 was named Little Miss Juneteenth. O’ryan Roger, 5 was crowned Mr. Juneteenth and Lawrence See, 9 won Mr. Handsome.

The runner-ups, Kayla Ceasar and Terykah Lewis/Miss Juneteenth, Olivia Rogers and Za’nora Dorsey/Junior Miss Juneteenth and Faith White/Little Miss Juneteenth along with Cornelius White/Mr. Juneteenth joined by Jaylon Mack and Jakiyea/Mr. Handsome will joined the title holders in the 43rd Juneteenth Parade and Music Festival.

LeMarcus Thomas, 2015 Mr. Mr. Juneteenth graciously gave his final walk recalling how it has been an honor to have carried a title in recognition of Juneteenth.

“When I won last year, I had a general idea of the significance of Juneteenth.  For instance while all of the Black enslaved people in the nation had been freed, Texas was the last state to get word,” he said.

“That means that Black folks were still in slavery. When word finally arrived in 1865 of June 19th, they rejoiced.  That is why we celebrate this day of freedom still today.”

Thomas went on to say that over the past year he has met many important people.  And that he really enjoyed being in the parade and the bike that he won.  He also said that he enjoyed meeting the Annise Parker, the mayor at the time.

“Mayor Parker told me to ‘keep doing what you are doing and to stay on the right track’.”

Thomas said that his future plans are to enjoy his summer and have fun because he will be entering high school next year.

Mrs. Mildred Johnson had a word for the audience.  She thanked the parents and gave special homage to the grandparents.  “When you trust someone with your children you trust God,” she said.

Mrs. Johnson said that it takes a lot of work to do what they do.  “All of the pretty dresses, costumes, decorations, etc.  I directed this pageant by telephone. I told everybody what to do and want needed to be done. I want to thank Dorris Ellis,  Dorcaus Robinson, the committee, the judges and KijanaWiseman.”

She went on to say she is looking forward to the parade and that Mayor Sylvester Turner is taking an active role in the parade.  Also she informed the crowd that if all goes well that the Juneteenth court could be part of the upcoming Super Bowl LI to take place in Houston.

Sponsor of the 2016 Juneteenth Pageant were Gerald and Anita Smith, This Is It Restaurant, Houston Super Bowl Committee, Ladies of Golf and Priscilla Graham Photography.

 

Entertainment, Lifestyle, News

Houston Theater Opens New Lineup For Anniversary

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Ensemble Theater conference logo
Ensemble Theater conference logo

Applause was the appropriate reaction in Houston’s Ensemble Theater as it held the Dawn of The Decade 40-year anniversary press conference for the lineup of this year’s performances.

Within the city lies an instrumental one-story building which holds a mission: to preserve African American artistic expression; to enlighten, entertain and enrich a diverse community. Eileen J. Morris, who is the theater’s artistic director, stands by that mission.

“Every time we do art, we are speaking to the community,” Morris said.

“I think that the art that we do and the fact that we are connected so much with our community is what is impactful. That’s one of the traits of the Ensemble Theater, so to speak.”

So much has changed since the theater was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins, who was influenced by the African American Theatre Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Such a movement prompted Hawkins to make a company into what is now known as one of Houston’s go-to places for performing arts. Development Director Kathy L. Kelley, a longtime Houston resident, thinks the theater does make an impact in the Houston community and vice versa.

“The community comes here and they’re embracing and appreciative of what we do and understand what we’re doing and they really support what we do,” Kelley said.

Other than the theatrical arts, the theater will also hold major events such as a gala and a golf tournament to continue spreading the foundation the theater has done. Also discussed by this is Janette L. Cosley, the theater’s executive director.

“And the children who come here for those field trips? I cannot tell you how diverse those audiences are because majority of them come from the Houston Independent school District,” Cosley said.

“They know about African Americans who play sports, they know about African Americans who make music, but they don’t necessarily get to know the actors.”

Public Relations Manager Robert Ross keeps that in mind throughout the conference.

“The community gives us feedback and, as any responsible institution or business, for that matter, you really have to listen to your patron base in order to meet their needs and what their interests are,” Ross said.

Plenty of Time, one of the many plays lined up for the year, will portray the basis of what the Ensemble Theater stands for. Perhaps an appearance by the conference’s guest performer Regina Hearne may be seen at one of the plays. Their season lineup and special events can be found at their website: www.EnsembleHouston.com.

Previews of the show run for two days, and the main show runs from May 12 through June 5. May 12 at 7:30 pm is the start of Plenty of Time.

Guest performer Regina Hearne
Guest performer Regina Hearne