By Patricia McDougallSpecial to the AFRO More than 100 years ago, on April 16, 1862, the Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. On that day, slaves in the District of Columbia gained their freedom. More than a century later, the residents of D.C. gather on an annual basis to honor and celebrate […]
Category: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Meet Chinai Routté, the Baltimore‑born performer and educator turned Everyman Theatre resident actor
Baltimore native Chinai Routté, now a member of Everyman Theatre’s Resident Company, brings both passion and purpose to the stage as Cassandra in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” while also using her work as an educator to empower young people through the arts. The play is running through April 19.
Posted inMusic
Trick Daddy performance halted at AKA Regional Conference
By AFRO Staff “You can’t give me no playlist … this ain’t your wedding.” That was the response from Trick Daddy in a video posted to social media and later reported by BIN News, after his performance was halted at a gathering of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The Miami rapper had been booked to […]
Posted inTV and Film
Back from the brink: ‘Afropop’ season 18 to premiere in June
The season features Listen to Me, Kanika Harris and Stephanie Etienne’s urgent documentary on the Black maternal and infant mortality crisis, and This World Is Not My Own, Opendox’s visually striking film using animation about celebrated folk artist Nellie Mae Rowe, who turned her home and yard in Vinings, Georgia, into the fantastical creative world she called the Playhouse. Emmy Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba and Broadway veteran Amy Warren bring Rowe and her friend, gallery owner and arts patron Judith Alexander, to life through voice and movement. A third title, to be announced later this year, will premiere in November.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
The Apollo Theater and The Howard Theatre co-present ‘Best of The Apollo’ in Washington, D.C., with special performance by legendary hip-hop duo Clipse
Apollo Theater and Howard Theatre will co-present “Best of The Apollo” on April 26 in Washington, D.C., featuring performances by hip-hop duo Clipse and rising artists, while celebrating the legacy of “Amateur Night” and supporting the Howard Theatre Foundation.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
It’s music festival season. How to stay safe and healthy while enjoying the show
As music festival season kicks off, experts advise attendees to prioritize safety by planning ahead for risks like heat, dehydration, injuries and overexposure to noise, while staying aware of surroundings and personal limits.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Devin Allen takes the helm for SCOUT, Baltimore’s affordable art fair
Baltimore photographer Devin Allen has been named curator of SCOUT 2026, the city’s affordable art fair held as part of Artscape. As curator, Allen will spotlight local and national artists while helping build stronger connections between creators and the community.”
Posted inBaltimore News
Champions of change in Cherry Hill prepare for 80th anniversary gala
As Cherry Hill celebrates 80 years since its official founding, women like Tracey Garrett-Rogers, ZeeVelle Nottingham-Lemon and Malika Brown are leading the community’s growth, preserving its history, advocating for residents and creating opportunities to ensure a stronger future for generations to come.
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Power’ exhibit showcases work by Baltimore-based artist and former MICA professor, Paula Phillips
A new exhibition at SBM Gallery in Charm City highlights decades of work by Baltimore-based artist Paula Phillips. The exhibit, which opens on April 3 at 5 p.m., explores themes of identity, spirituality and community through mixed media.
Posted inArts & Culture
Ruby red slippers, a mean old lion, and Black folk adorned in emerald green can only mean one thing – ‘The Wiz’ is coming back to DC
The Tony Award-winning musical “The Wiz” returns to Washington, D.C., for a limited run at the National Theatre from April 7–12, showcasing a new generation of talent in the beloved all-Black reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz.” Cast member Cal Mitchell, who stars as The Lion, highlights the production’s enduring cultural impact, its celebration of Black joy and artistry, and its continued ability to inspire audiences across generations.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Cardi B. says Latinos wouldn’t be ‘living comfortably’ if not for African Americans
By Alexis LaRueAFRO Internalarue@afro.com During her March 7 stop in Dallas, entertainer Belcalis “Cardi B.” Almánzar took to the stage to talk to Latino fans in the audience, reminding them of the sacrifices Black Americans made for them to live comfortably. In fan videos posted across social media, the rapper can be heard encouraging her […]
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Bill Cosby held liable in 1972 sexual assault case; jury awards nearly $60 million
A California civil jury has found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972, awarding her nearly $60 million in damages, including $40 million in punitive damages. The verdict comes nearly five years after Cosby’s criminal conviction was overturned in Pennsylvania. Motsinger, who came forward publicly in 2023, said the ruling affirms her experience and sends a message to other survivors seeking justice.