Blue Note, Purple Overture – A Tribute to George Russell

This is a concert tribute to local jazz legend George Russell who is being honored by the Smithsonian Institute this year, as an innovative modern jazz figure and trailblazer whose ideas have transformed and inspired some of the greatest musicians of our time. Presented by Citi Performing Arts Center and the Boston Musicians Union as part of SpectrumBoston’s The Color Purple.
Thursday, June 18
5:30 – 6:30 pm Rabb Auditorium

Museum of African American History
46 Joy Street,
Beacon Hill, Boston

Black Entrepreneurs of the 18th and 19th Centuries is the Museum’s new exhibition, developed in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The exhibit features 40 African American entrepreneurs from the Colonial Period through the 19th century. The exhibition will run through September 30, 2009.

Entrepreneurship has always been a way for Americans to climb the economic ladder. Black Americans also took part in this American dream beginning when slavery was still legal in this country. Black Entrepreneurs of the 18th and 19th Centuries will tell the stories of some of the enterprising black entrepreneurs from the Revolutionary period through the 19th century in Boston and New England. It will explore the little-known stories of early black entrepreneurs who invested their labor, time and money for their own business ventures, but also on behalf of freedom.

Attend a free-one session Interactive Performance Workshop led by youth leaders from Citi Performing Arts Center. Workshops are based on themes from the musicals Ain't Misbehavin' and The Color Purple. Sign up at Boston Public Library branches

30th Anniversary Tour of the 1978 Tony™Award-winning Best Musical AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’starring 2003 American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis, 2003 American Idol contestant and star of RENT on Broadway. The outrageously prodigious comic and musical soul of 1930’s Harlem is showcased in this rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping revue that is still considered one of Broadway’s most well-crafted shows of all time – sometimes sassy, sometimes sultry, with moments of heartwarming beauty. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is simply unforgettable!

Enjoy a sassy, swinging show at The Strand Theatre and take a stroll to Restaurant Laura to enjoy some fine wines and authentic Cape Verdean Cuisine. For more information, call 617.825.9004
Restaurant Laura is located at 688 Columbia Road in Dorchester, in Edward Everett Square, at the intersection of Columbia Road, East Cottage Street, Massachusetts Avenue and Boston Street. Parking available along Columbia Road. Accessible by the Red Line (Andrew Station, JFK stops), the Commuter Rail (Uphams Corner) and by the MBTA bus line.

Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre
274 Tremont Street, Boston

Cultural performance celebrating Boston neighborhoods (Charlestown, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale & West Roxbury, South End), featuring local performing arts groups and individual neighborhood performers. In this special performance, performers portray the identities of Boston neighborhoods through dance, spoken word, theatre, song and multimedia, creating a story honoring the uniqueness and richness of Boston. Special Guest Artists include: B Boy Tapper (hip-hop infused tap); Lisa Bello (Rhythm and Blues artist); The Floorlords (breakdancing troupe); Mr. Harvey(rap lyricist); Hyde Square Task Force’s Ritmo en Acción (Latin dance troupe); The John Family (musicians); Lady Enchantress (spoken word artist).