Entertainment

Clarence Avant, the ‘Black Godfather’ of Music and Entertainment, Dies at 92

     They continued, “Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘the Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music, entertainment, politics, and sports. Clarence leaves behind a loving family and a sea of friends and associates that have changed the world and will continue to change the world for generations to come. The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss. Clarence passed away gently at home in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 13, 2023.” […]

Entertainment

 The ReaXtion Band Turns Up the Heat at Soulful Sundays

Pompano Beach Arts is excited to present South Florida favorite the ReaXtion Band for another superb Soulful Sunday’s concert! Performing the best in classic top 40, disco, funk, old school, R&B and Motown, the band will take the stage at Ali Cultural Arts Center on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10, available at  www.pompanobeacharts.org Space is limited. No tickets are sold at the door. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. […]

Entertainment

A True Renaissance Man Gordon Parks

Nubian artistic excellence is the calling card for Gordon Parks. In 1969 he became the first Black person to write and direct a major Hollywood studio feature film, “The Learning Tree,” based on his best selling novel. Two years later he continued breaking new cinematic directorial ground with the 1971 movie “Shaft.” That movie was not only a hit, but it had wide critical acclaim. That movie is recognized as the vanguard movie for “Blaxploitation” cinema of that era. Academic racism was why Mr. Parks’ work was never compared to his White peers, like Spielberg, Hitchcock and Scorsese. If academicians had compared them, they would find a resume that overshadowed those premiere directors. […]

Entertainment

Black Music Month: Remembering Singer Joe Hinton

Another song “You Know It Ain’t Right” by Joe Hinton was released in 1963. Many listeners thought Hinton was singing about a lost love (The B-side was “Lovesick Blues”), but a closer listening of the lyrics reveals a sound more like a protest song – perhaps a precursor to Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”. […]